Israel Start-Up Nation brings a strong team able to shine in all terrain for this year’s Cro Race, starting on Tuesday, September 28.

The six days stage race presents several chances for the sprinters but also for those who are good on the climbs. Especially the penultimate stage, to Opatija, will be crucial for the general classification with several ascents to overcome, amongst them the 13.2 km long HC climb Poklon.

Fresh off his impressive win on the final stage of Tour de Slovaquie, Itamar Einhorn hopes to continue his good streak and fight for victory in the bunch sprints, while Krists Neilands and Carl Fredrik Hagen will be the team’s leaders for the general classification.

Sports director, René Andrle: “We come to Cro Race with a powerful team. For the sprints, we have Itamar [Einhorn] who’s getting better and better these days and who took a beautiful win in Slovakia recently. We have a strong leadout here and we will go all in for him in the sprints. We also have two strong cards to play in the GC with Krists [Neilands] and Carl [Fredrik Hagen]. However, we don’t have the usual uphill finish this year, so it will be difficult to predict how the race will evolve. In any case, our goal is to win a stage and do well in the GC.”

Itamar Einhorn: “I have never done this race before so I don’t really know what to expect but I know there are several stages for the sprinters. I feel good at the moment and I have a strong team to support me in the sprints. I’m really motivated to finish off the season with another good result.”

Carl Fredrik Hagen: “Cro Race will be an exciting race. It’s not a regular stage race with an uphill finish to settle the GC. However, there are several long stages and multiple challenging ascents. Plus, it’s at the end of the season, so it will be hard to predict what will happen. I have a bit of a free role on the team, giving me the opportunity to go for both the breakaways and try something at the end of the stages if I see an opening. For me, it’s also just nice to be back racing with the team again after my crash. We are working very well together and I’m really looking forward to this week of racing.”