Raisberg becomes IPT’s fourth Israeli rider
The two Aussies were selected for IPT's squad for the 2023 Tour de France, which begins on July 1, while Gee starred for them in last month's Giro d'Italia, winning the Most Combative Rider award, and placing second in four of the stages.
Nadav Raisberg, a 22-year-old from Kibbutz Dafna in northern Israel, has signed a two-year contract with Israel Premier Tech (IPT), becoming the first Israeli cyclist to join the professional team in four years.
“This is incredible … I’ve dreamed of this moment, and I will do everything I can to go as far as possible,” Raisberg said.
Earning the contract guarantees his participation in major international road cycling one-day races and multi-day tours for at least the next two seasons.
IPT has competed in all three of road cycling’s grand tours, and its 30-strong roster includes some of the most experienced riders on the Pro Tour, like Belgian Ben Hermans, Canadians Derek Gee and Michael Woods, Italian Giacomo Nizzolo, German Rick Zabel, Briton Chris Froome, and Aussies Simon Clarke and Nick Schultz.
The two Aussies were selected for IPT’s squad for the 2023 Tour de France, which begins on July 1, while Gee starred for them in last month’s Giro d’Italia, winning the Most Combative Rider award, and placing second in four of the stages.
IPT’s Pro Tour roster currently only includes three Israeli riders – Guy Sagiv, Omer Goldstein, and Itamar Einhorn – who all have Grand Tour experience, and joined the team in early 2020.
The decision to move Raisberg up the ranks into IPT was in one sense surprising, but also expected.
It was surprising as he only joined the team’s development squad, called Israel Cycling Academy, less than 18 months ago, but it was expected because the young Raisberg made rapid progress in the academy, and has impressed the ProTeam management in 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,” Kjell Carlstrom, IPT’s general manager, said.
“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 feels proud that he grew up in a “dream home” for cycling.
His father, Boris, was an excellent rider who won the Israeli road race championships in 1987.
“I’ve got my passion for cycling from him,” said Nadav, who started riding when he turned 10, with a focus more on off-road cycling.
He credits Guy Niv – the first Israeli to complete the Tour de France – for convincing him to transition to road racing, as Niv did himself, years before.
“I owe him for that – he is like an older brother to me,” Raisberg said of Niv.
“I feel like I’m on top of the world, now that I’ve achieved my dream of signing a professional contract, and 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 his signing is the team’s founder, Ron Baron, who sees it as an encouraging realisation of IPT’s inceptive vision.
“Promoting Israeli riders has always been, and remains, one of our most important goals,” Baron said.
“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.”
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