Israeli road race champion Omer Goldstein was determined to get in the breakaway of the day on stage four of the Vuelta a Burgos but he didn’t settle with that, racing aggressively all day before sprinting to third place on the uphill finish.
While some might be happy to round out the podium, Omer’s disappointment at missing the win only shows how determined he is and how close he is to raising his hands in the air soon.
“I’m disappointed that I didn’t get the win because I really wanted it. I felt like I could win but I made a mistake and I probably went a bit too early in the final sprint. But it’s sport and you need to takes risks! Sport isn’t a science, it’s all about feeling. So I took my chance and I was third,” explained Goldstein.
Omer was in a 14-rider breakaway on the 169-kilometer stage that featured rolling terrain and a punchy uphill finish to Ciudad Romanda de Clunia. When the group split with around 75 kilometers to go, Omer was in the front group and continued to ride hard until the finish line was in site, after it was clear the breakaway would fight for the win.
He was the first to launch a strong sprint and hit the lead inside the final 200 meters but was just overtaken with 50 meters to go and crossed the line in third place.
“Everything was going well today. I was in the breakaway and then when we split, I was in the front group. I was feeling good all day and I knew that this is the way I can win, from a breakaway like this. My result today means I have improved in the General Classification so I will try and improve again tomorrow, whether that is in another breakaway or from the bunch, and score as many points as possible.”
With one stage remaining, Omer is already thinking about his next big goal after racing in Burgos.
“I was supposed to the do the Tour de France and wasn’t able to in the end so I reset my goals and focused on the Vuelta a España. I think I am on track with my preparation.”
