Itamar Einhorn: “I’m dreaming of a top-20 finish”
The big dream of Itamar Einhorn — the most successful professional cyclist in the history of Israeli cycling — will come true tomorrow morning (11 AM CET) in Paris when the Olympic men’s road race begins. For the first time since the 1960 Rome Olympics, there will be an Israeli representative.
However, the 26-year-old rider from Modiin is realistic and fully aware of the immense challenge ahead. The race is exceptionally long (272.1 kilometers) with numerous short, steep climbs, making it a sort of Olympic version of a Belgian classic.
Einhorn says: “There’s a lot of pressure, and not just for me. I’ve talked and consulted with cyclists, including the five members of my team Israel – Premier Tech who will compete alongside me, and no one truly knows how this race will unfold. It might start off calmly, or it could be the exact opposite—a relentless battle to break away.”
Without a definitive conclusion, he has formulated his strategy: “I’ve decided not to try to break away. I’m wary of wasting unnecessary energy.
“My wildest dream is to finish in the top 20. It will be very tough and a truly amazing achievement if I manage it. I must not give up, always stay optimistic, ride smart, and conserve energy for the critical moments to avoid a scenario where the race hits top speeds and I find myself almost alone and in danger of not finishing. But I am filled with confidence in myself and what I can achieve.”
It is worth noting that Einhorn was the first Israeli to shatter the glass ceiling, securing victories in professional races. This year, he has already won four races with Israel – Premier Tech: two at the Tour du Rwanda, two at the Tour de Taiwan.
He earned his spot in the Olympics through merit, as the main points contributor in the quest to secure Israel’s first men’s road race entry since Henry Ohayon and Jacques Ben David’s appearance at the Rome Olympics.
Photo: Itamar’s bike for the road race on Saturday
Einhorn adds: “It’s very exciting for me. Without a doubt, it’s the most important moment in my career so far. I arrived in Paris five days ago to soak in the atmosphere of the Olympic Village and acclimate. On one hand, it enhances the experience. On the other, it involved a lot of logistical complications: you need to get in a car and drive half an hour just to start training. Besides, I made sure not to leave the Olympic Village in order to be fully ready for Saturday.”
Although focused on his own mission, he was admittedly “inspired and emotional” last night after two of his Israeli delegation members, the judokas Inbar Lanir and Peter Paltchik, won two Olympic medals.
He is particularly proud to represent Israel in these challenging times, despite his concerns about how Israelis, including himself, would be received. In this regard, he encountered a surprise.
“Many athletes and delegation members from many countries talked to me about how much they understand what we’re going through,” he says. “There is a lot of sympathy and support here, and it warms my heart.”
IPT will have a significant presence in the Olympic race: Derek Gee and Mike Woods (Canada), Simon Clarke (Australia), Corbin Strong (New Zealand), and Stevie Williams (Great Britain) complete its presence in the 89-rider field.
