Nadav Reisberg, who recently made Israeli cycling history by winning the green points jersey at the prestigious eight-day Dauphiné race in the French Alps, now says his biggest dream is to win the Israeli national championship for the first time. “I know it may sound a bit strange,” he said, but added that nothing compares with representing Israel as national champion and earning a place in the blue and white jersey for a full year.
Reisberg’s breakthrough in France came only days ago in one of the world’s toughest races, and he says the result could transform his career. Still, he stressed that he has never yet won the Israeli title, despite his major international achievements. He was unable to race for the championship two years ago after breaking both arms at the Giro d’Italia, and last year he missed it because he was competing in the Vuelta, which turned into a trauma for him and his team amid violent pro-Palestinian protests.
His path to the title remains open, but the challenge will come on Saturday at 6:30 a.m. in the Israeli championship race in Beit Guvrin, an unusually early start chosen because of the intense heat. Three of his closest teammates from NSN will line up against him, the reigning champion Rotem Tena and former champions Oded Kogut and Itamar Einhorn.
The team says all riders will be allowed to race freely. NSN sports director Aviad Yizrael said, “May the best rider win, as long as it is an NSN rider.” Tena acknowledged that Reisberg is the favorite, saying the Dauphiné green jersey winner is “above everyone” and in “terrific form,” while adding that he will try to defend his title. Reisberg, for his part, welcomed the rivalry and said, “I really want an open battle, and it will not be easy. Nothing is guaranteed. This is a bike race, and one crash can end your race, so anything can happen.”
