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Cycling squad on track for Israel, says Elyahou

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Team GB will send eight cyclists to the 19th Maccabiah Games to challenge for medals in Israel.
The majority of the squad has experience of competing in the UK and in Europe.

The squad will be overseen by Maccabi GB Cycling chairman Clifford Baker, who won a silver medal in Israel in 2009, while Guy Elyahou has been appointed Team Captain. Elyahou races at the Herne Hill Velodrome and finished 100th in his age category at the Semi-Pro 2012 Haute Route race – a seven-day trans-alp stage race.

The squad recently completed one of their warm-up events for the Games by racing in the 130km Princes Risbourogh Sportive. A hilly and technical course in the Chilterns, the road surfaces were treacherous, which
added a risk factor to the fast descents.

The team were on target for a Gold Standard overall, having averaged around 30kph for the challenging ride, but a series of punctures saw them lose time and finish with the silver.

Elyahou said: "I'm looking for the entire squad to enjoy the unique experience of the Maccabiah Games. I have told the boys to do the best that we can as a squad and as individuals, be excellent to each other and towards the other participants.

"I want us to enjoy every moment and especially promote it for the Juniors. The reality is that cycling can be a lottery with ‘technicals’ and crashes that can unfairly eliminate riders - just consider Bradley Wiggins crashing out of the Tour de France in 2011.

"The Princes Risbourogh Sportive warm-up was a great showing by all the squad, highlighting our tremendous strength in depth. We had finishing times that would have many of the strongest riders challenging for top honours. It all bodes well for Israel this summer."

SQUAD:
Guy Elyahou (Team Captain)
Jonathan Koslover
Ashley Fulton
Howard Bentwood
Warren Phelops
Bob Moryoussef
Marc Gordon
Joseph Wagman (Junior)

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