Itamar Einhorn is going for a stage win Tour of Antalya.
The Israeli Sprinter looks to improve on Colombia performance.

 

The Israel Start-Up Nation team is ready to tackle the Tour of Antalya (Feb. 20-23), with sprinter Itamar Einhorn looking to go for a stage win. Matteo Badillatti will concentrate on the mountain stages.

Einhorn recently finished third on the second stage of the Tour Colombia, the best ever finish by a male Israeli rider in a top race. But our young sprinter isn’t satisfied with that.

Itamar Einhorn
Itamar Einhorn

“My goal is a stage win and I believe it’s possible there with our strong team and a lot of motivation. I’m really excited to have results, of course the third place in Colombia was great.”

Einhorn abandoned Colombia only two stages later, saying “the race was pretty hard, especially because of the altitude. I was not recovering well between the stages, and I decided together with the team to not go to the full limit.” And now, of course, “I’m feeling good again.”

Our two Estonians, Mikhel Raim and Norman Vahtra will be on the squad to help set up the sprints.

“I expect us to bring in good results. The level here is for sure higher this year and there’s going to be real racing here,” Raim said.  “For sure we aim for podium spots and the best would be a stage win, but without stress.”

Matteo Badilatti
Matteo Badilatti

Matteo Badilatti will be our man for the GC and the mountain stage, with support coming up from the Israel Cycling Academy Continental team in the form of Ben Perry and Daniel Turek.

The race opens with a lumpy stage starting and ending in Antalya, with the first bunch sprint expected. Stage Two sees an early Cat. 3 climb along the way from Kemer to Antalya, but it is expected to end with another bunch sprint.

The first real climb comes at the end of Stage Three. After about 90 km of mostly flat, the peloton will charge 9 km up the Cat. 1 climb to the finish at Termessos. The race ends with another one for the fast men, 136 km from Side to Antalya, and a final bunch sprint.

Tour of Antalya

Israel Start-Up Nation for the Tour of Antalya:

Matteo Badilatti

Itamar Einhorn

Ben Perry

Mikhel Raim

Daniel Turek

Norman Vahtra