The new Israeli cycling hope comes from a Kibbutz
Tel Aviv. June 19th
Nadav Raisberg, a 22-year-old from Kibbutz Dafna in northern Israel, has signed a two-year contract with Israel – Premier Tech, becoming the first Israeli cyclist to join the professional team in four years.
“This is incredible. I’ve dreamed of this moment. I will do everything I can to go as far as possible,” exclaimed Raisberg after signing his first professional contract. This development guarantees his participation in major races worldwide for at least the next two seasons.
The IPT roster currently includes three Israeli riders: Guy Sagiv, Omer Goldstein, and Itamar Einhorn, who joined the team at the beginning of 2020.
The decision to move Raisberg up the ranks was paradoxically surprising and expected. Surprising because he only joined the team’s development squad, Israel – Premier Tech Academy, less than a year and a half ago; but expected because the young Raisberg made rapid progress and has impressed the ProTeam management at nearly every race he has competed in.
“He has shown maturity and quick adaptability in an exceptional way, proving he can be relied upon and showing all the qualities required to earn a pro contract and a spot on the team’s senior roster starting in 2024,” said Kjell Carlstrom, IPT’s General Manager. “We expect him to continue to improve and flourish, showing the way for other Israeli talents.”
IPT owner Sylvan Adams welcomed the young Israeli, saying “I am proud of Nadav’s significant impact as a road racer in our U23 continental development squad. He has earned this promotion to our senior ProTeam, and I am excited to see his results next year.”
Raisberg shares proudly that he grew up in a “dream home” for cycling. His father, Boris, was an excellent rider who won the Israeli road race championship in 1987. “I got my passion for cycling from him,” recalls Nadav, who started riding at the age of ten with a focus more on off-road cycling. He credits Guy Niv, the first Israeli rider to complete the Tour de France, for convincing him to transition to road racing, as Niv had done himself years before. “I owe him for that. He is like an older brother to me,” said Raisberg. “I feel like I’m on top of the world now that I’ve achieved my dream and signed a professional contract. I have big goals. The first is to race in a Grand Tour – as early as next season – and one day I will go for victories there.”
Perhaps the person most proud of this signing is the team’s founder, Ron Baron, who sees this as an encouraging realization of the team’s inceptive vision. “Promoting Israeli riders has always been and remains one of our most important goals. I am thrilled that Nadav has made it and I look forward to more Israeli cyclists following in his footsteps. The door is open for them.”
