It’s always exciting to return to a place that holds special memories, and the five days of the Tour de Hongrie, starting Wednesday, will be exactly that for NSN Cycling Team.
After all, we are coming back after three years of absence to the race where we recorded a memorable victory in 2019, winning the overall title with Latvia’s Krists Neilands.
And guess what? Neilands will lead the squad once again — still going strong and hoping for another opportunity to shine in the GC battle.
He says: “I have great memories from this race. It’s always a special feeling to return to a race you have won before.
“This year we are probably not the top favorites on paper, but we will do our best to get the strongest result possible.”
As Neilands put it, the challenge this time will be much tougher, with six WorldTour teams lining up at the start and only one stage — stage four, with its short and steep climbs — expected to decide the general classification.
The rest of the stages? A sprinters’ heaven – or hell. No wonder some of the best sprinters in the world have chosen to race here, including Tim Merlier from Soudal Quick-Step.
So while Neilands and Spain’s Pau Martí will target a GC top-10, Israeli sprinter Itamar Einhorn, together with fellow Israelis Nadav Raisberg and Rotem Tene, will unite for the sprint battles in the opening three stages and the final day.
Einhorn, who arrives in Hungary after taking two stage victories in Rwanda, fully understands that he comes in as something of an underdog — but embraces the challenge.
“I fully realize who I’m up against, so even getting on the podium second or third would be a really good result,” he says. “But as a sprinter, I always want to win, and I believe I can.
“I see this race as a great opportunity to show that I can compete well in European races. I’m coming here in good shape and with a lot of determination to prove it.”
Opportunity is indeed the key word for every member of the NSN squad, says Sports Director Dror Pekatch.
Pekatch says: “Each one of the riders will get his opportunity. Itamar in stages one and two, Nadav with his finishing kick in stage two, and then Krists and Pau in the GC battle. We plan to be in the fight every single day.”
NSN Cycling Team at the Tour de Hongrie (Wednesday 13 – Sunday 17 May)
Riders: Itamar Einhorn (ISR), Zac Marriage (AUS), Pau Martí (ESP), Krists Neilands (LAT), Nadav Raisberg (ISR), Rotem Tene (ISR)
Sports Directors: Dror Pekatch (ISR), Pat McCarty (USA)