Mihkel Raim (Israel Cycling Academy) knew that he had the speed to beat a lot of guys in the peloton in a sprint finish, but the young Estonian had never considered himself a true bunch sprinter. That changed this season with a number of victories from huge groups and Raim only wants to get faster as he works on his finish for 2018. `I knew that I could sprint, mainly in the reduced sprints where there was a hill and 14 or 15 guys in the group, but this year I had victories in massive bunch sprints so it was a big surprise for me,` Raim told Cyclingnews at the teamīs recent bonding camp in Israel. `Personally, I want to work on my sprinting so that I can get faster. This year, it wasnīt my priority to be a sprinter only. I had cobblestones and Classics and one-day races, but now it seems I can sprint also.`ADVERTISEMENT The Israel Cycling Academy ventured into the unknown this season when they stepped up to Pro Continental racing. There were plenty of challenges along the way but they came away with six victories, with Raim claiming their first at the Tour de Azerbaijan in May and going on to talk half their total number. He admits that he wasnīt at his best in the opening part of the season but the win in Azerbaijan broke the duck for himself and the team. His run of strong results meant that the team put more of his resources behind him, something that Raim wasnīt used to. It ramped up the pressure but it made Raim confident that, with continued support, he can achieve more. `I liked it because the guys took care of me. I just had to pedal in the group and if I had to stop then they would stop with me,` Raim explained. `They brought me water and everything but then I knew that I would be alone in the last 200 metres and if I didnīt win then I would let them down. It was a big pressure but I liked the pressure.
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