Nadav Reisberg capped an exceptional week by winning the Israeli road cycling championship on Saturday in Beit Guvrin. Six days after taking the green jersey for fastest rider in the prestigious Critérium du Dauphiné, now known as the Tour de l’Ain, the NSN rider added the national title to his breakthrough season.
Reisberg said the Israeli champion’s jersey carries special meaning for him. “The champion’s jersey will now be my identity for a whole year in the biggest races in the world, and I could not be prouder,” he said shortly after the podium ceremony, where he wore the blue and white jersey for the first time.
The men’s race covered 135 kilometers in the Judean Shephelah. Before the race, Reisberg said he would have preferred an open contest despite the dominance of his team and teammates Itamar Einhorn, Oded Kogut, and outgoing champion Rotem Tena. “I prefer to win a title with a lot of sweat and effort,” he said. That is exactly what happened. Reisberg and close friend Kogut attacked on the first lap, built a lead of about three minutes, and were never caught. With a little more than one lap to go, Kogut tried to force the issue and briefly opened a gap of more than 20 seconds, but Reisberg reeled him in on the final climb and finished alone.
Kogut took second and Tena completed an NSN sweep of the podium, with Einhorn fourth. Reisberg said he had been tense before the race, but added that once the attack worked, he felt more relaxed and knew he would get the title on the final ascent. NSN sports director Aviad Yizrael said, “There is no doubt the title was deserved. He had an amazing week.” In the women’s race, Noa Schweiki won the Israeli championship, while NSN development rider Metar Peretz took the under-23 national title for the second year in a row.
