Omar Goldstein was selected for the first time in his career to ride in the Grand Tour and in the meantime he enjoys every moment in the Spanish Valletta: "Functioning properly" • Dan Martin, who is 20 seconds away from first place, congratulates those who work for him in the Israel Startup Nation group: I admire him "
Goldstein smiles.
"For now I do not feel I am fighting for survival"
Photography:
Bettini Photo
To understand the successful integration of Omar Goldstein (24) in the Israel Start-Up Nation team that competes with the Spanish Valletta, it is worth listening to the team star, Dan Martin: "He does a great job here and has helped me insanely so far. He is not only talented, he just loves "Going into the kitchen when it's hot. I admire him very much."
Goldstein is competing for the first time in his career in a prestigious Grand Tour and judging by the six sections that were held until the day of rest yesterday, it seems that the boy from Misgav is definitely integrating at the highest levels.
True, the Valletta is neither the Tour de France nor the Giro, but perhaps this is where the Israeli team will be able to surprise in a big way.
Meanwhile, with the Irishman Martin ranked third overall, just 20 seconds behind the leader Richard Carpaz of the Inaus team, it works better than expected.
"We are finally resting, I enjoy it," Goldstein said in an interview from Spain yesterday. "I had a difficult week, already on the first day there was a war for first place in the overall ranking and we were really involved in it with Dan. We rip his ass off for him every day and surprise "We integrate and fight with the biggest teams. And we function properly."
Martin. "Tearing his ass for him" // Photo: Bettini Photo
In the column and the Giro you were not close to the overall ranking even with a laugh.
"In the Giro the team was good in some sprints, but they really did not have a war for the overall ranking. The column is one level above. I surprise myself with my abilities and that I manage to give the job that is expected of me and take part in moments that really affect."
Martin had to prove he had receipts after the disappointment in the French column.
"Yeah, still he came as a senior rider to the team and he had to bring results on paper. After the crash and injury in the column, now he provides that."
How did the Corona impact in preparation for your first Grand Tour?
"I arrived after less good preparation, not in crazy shape, that's clear. In the meantime I'm doing all the roles assigned to me and I do not feel like I'm fighting very hard for survival in the race. So far I've not had a hard day questioning my finish in the section. And the war on the good teams. "
What roles for example?
"I play like any rider on the team, they give me a role before the section opens and I fill it, whether it's to pull riders or arrange a better place for Martin. I'm glad I get the last positions near the end. On the day Dan won I helped him last, and in the sixth section he was "It was particularly rainy and I pulled the glue together with Primoz 'Ruglich', who had a very hard time moving forward."
Valletta riders. "Competition in teams is tough" // Photo: Bettini Photo
You are currently ranked 99th, with one just above you, Chris Fromm. Did he come to work for Carpaz?
"Yes, he knows he came to work and I saw it with my own eyes. He does the work of a real worker and fights for positions. He does everything for his teammates, as they have worked a lot for him in the past. When he finishes his job he goes back and rests like that. That is, if you can not win in such races, you work for someone who has a chance. "
Martin could remain at the top of the overall rankings until the end of the 18th section
"I believe so, we work very well and he demonstrates excellent abilities. Personally I have not yet gone to the end in the finish sections, but I believe in the remaining sections I will find myself trying to go to the end. Mainly to try to see where I stand in relation to the great riders, but it It really depends on the work done so far and the approvals I will receive from the group's managers. "
Today (, 15:40 Eurosport) will be the seventh section in the Valletta that will depart from Vitoria and end 159.7 km later in Villanova de Valdegovia.
