Israel Startup Nation (ISN) announced Saturday that it has signed Canadian rider Alex Catalford to a new two-year contract. Catalford, an Ottawa native, said the WorldTour team feels like a home team and he is excited to continue riding with compatriots James Piccoli and Guillaume Boivin.

"Their identity is clearly Israeli, but there is a Canadian influence on the team. When we see each other regularly, we share stories about our homelands and we know where we are talking about."

"Also, ISN feels like the Canadian community I know in Ottawa.

Team co-owner Sylvan Adams is also Canadian, as is minority owner Kevin Hamm, Power Watts trainer Paulo Saldanha, and mechanic Andreas Beck-Watt.

Catalford turned pro in 2013 with Garneau Quebecois before moving on to Amore & Vita, Silver Pro Cycling, and United Healthcare. He then joined Startup Nation in Israel in 2019. He has been on the podium at the Tour of the Gila, Tour of Taihu Lake, and Time Trial National Championships. He also placed in the top 10 at the Colorado Classic, Tour of Alberta, and Grand Prix Cycliste de Saguenay.

Boivin joined the team in 2016 from the Cycling Academy team and Piccoli from Israel Startup Nation this year, making them team veterans.

"It's funny because we've been doing the same races since we were kids," said Cataford. 'We weren't in the same category, but I remember racing in Saint-Martin. It was always the first race of the season, cold and windy. If you grew up as a cyclist in Ontario, Quebec, Montreal, Ottawa, or anywhere in Eastern Canada, that's where you competed. That's how I got to know James and "G."

"Now we are all at the world tour level. For me, it's a privilege to be at this level in the ISN. [Six Canadian riders are currently competing in the men's World Tour, including Michael Woods (EF Pro Cycling), Hugo Uhl (Astana), and Antoine Duchenne (Groupama-FDJ), and they will compete in the annual September World They are gaining top-level racing experience at the World Tour Grand Prix Cyclistes de Québec and Montréal, which are held each September.

"It's a big step for us Canadians because there aren't that many riders from Canada who can compete at the level we do," said Catalford. We have to thank the large cycling community in Ottawa. Because without them, honestly, we wouldn't have been able to reach the level we are at now."

"Ultimately, the fact that there are three Canadians in the ISN is super special. With two World Tour GPs in Eastern Canada, ISN even feels like a "home team." Montreal is a two-hour drive from my hometown of Ottawa. Every year, friends and family come to watch the race and become the most familiar faces. It kind of feels like my home race."

In a press release, Catalford said he is looking forward to further developing himself at the Israel Startup Nation over the next two years.

"I want to be a good rider supporting the GC riders on the team and continue my dream at ISN. And when I get the chance, I want to take it. Yes, in two GPs: Montreal and Quebec."