In Jerusalem, Peter Sagan was presented as the main figure behind Cycling Academy, a new continental team based in Israel.

The roster is made up of 12 riders: Yoav Bear, Roy Goldstein, Ben Einhorn, Guy Gabay, Ido Zilberstein (Israel); Emanuel Piaskowy, Wojtek Migdal, Patryk Talaga, Artur Krasnodebski (Poland); Mario Daško, Luboš Malovec (Slovakia) and Daniel Turek (Czech Republic) who are all between 19 and 24 year sold.

It is an international project which was launched on Wednesday in Jerusalem, in the presence of Mayor Nir Barkat, with Sagan as a special ambassador.The goal is to train young talents in Israel and allow them to cross borders by riding in new countries. The first step was taken in Slovakia and that's why Sagan was chosen as ambassador.

"I joined this project with enthusiasm as it is a project that is developing in Zilina where I was born, directed by Peter Zanicky, my first coach. We are carrying out projects for children in Slovakia and Cycling Academy provided us with additional value that made the collaboration more natural: to give a real chance for young Israeli athletes, Slovaks and Poles who could eventually reach the professional levelone day, like that it happened to me. My commitment starts today in Jerusalem, with the aim of expan to other geographic areas over time. I am thinking of South America where I have a number of proposals, and I'm dreaming of doing something for Africa one day. Always in the name of cycling," Sagan said. The team will debut at the Tour de San Luis in January.

Cycling Academy also launched two cycling schools, one in Bet Shemesh in Israel and one in Zilina, Slovakia, to promote education through cycling for children.

Ron Baron will act as presiden president while the team manager is Margaliot Ran, a former professional at Saxo Bank. The team managers are Jan Valach, Sagan's former coach, and Dror Pekatch, a former professional rider.

"I am delighted to launch Cycling Academy Continental Team. I would give young riders from Israel and other countries with no tradition of cycling the opportunity to be part of the family of professional cycling. As a cyclist and entrepreneur, I think that cycling can make better people and I am committed to this new adventure. It is a pleasure for me to be with Peter Sagan in launching this new adventure."