Alexander Catalford will remain at the Israel Cycling Academy next year as the team moves to the WorldTour.

The 26-year-old Canadian's season ended on a low note when he suffered broken ribs in a series of crashes in CRO races. Catalford finished the race before being diagnosed with the rib fracture. The Israel Cycling Academy rewarded him for his toughness and consistency throughout the season and signed him to a contract for next year.

"My first season with the ICA has been great," he said. I've learned a lot from the depths of European racing. It's been a great year shared with a great team. I'm looking forward to the future."

The Israel Cycling Academy recently completed a deal to acquire the Katusha-Alpecin World Tour team and will take over their top-level license for the next three years, although the final look of the 2020 roster is not yet known, Nils Pollitt is expected to move in along with the rest of Katusha's contracted players.

The Israel Cycling Academy previously added Irishman Dan Martin on a two-year deal and re-signed Belgian overall class Ben Hermans. Other new additions this year include Dutchman Hugo Hofstetter from Cofidis and Canadian James Piccoli from Elevate KHS.

Cataford jumped to the Israeli team this year after spending two years at the professional continental level with United Healthcare, which dissolved at the end of 2018. Prior to that, Catalford raced at the continental level for Garneau-Quebec, Amore & Vita, and Silver Pro Cycling. His best result this year was seventh in the prologue of the Tour of Hungary.