Giro d’Italia, the first time
of Israel Start-Up Nation

By Adam Smulevich

An exciting Giro d’Italia has just ended for the Israel Start-Up Nation, the first Israeli professional cycling team, in its fourth consecutive participation. For the first time the team, led by Israeli-Canadian philanthropist Sylvan Adams, has obtained the pink jersey, the symbol of primacy, worn for two stages by one of the two Italian athletes who were part of the group: Alessandro De Marchi, 35 years old, who has fulfilled the dream of a whole career.
But it has also celebrated a victory in the most difficult mountain stage with his captain Daniel Martin (who finished at the tenth place in the general classification). In addition to this it has performed well on many other occasions, coming close to other victories and also earning much praise from the media. A more than positive outcome for this young team, which is now aiming for great goals to achieve in the next Tour de France. Its captain in that circumstance will be the legendary Chris Froome, who has won the race four times and hopes to make it a fifth (but also the podium would be a great result).
On the eve of the Giro, interviewed by Pagine Ebraiche, Adams commented: “We have never been so strong, I am sure that we will leave our mark”. The promise was kept. The hope of Israeli fans is that’s just the beginning.