Competitive cycling season kicks off
Israeli cycling season gears up for Cycling Federation Road Championship with a series of grueling races
Cycling aficionados - brace yourselves: Israeli cycling's most exciting month has kicked into gear and is scheduled to feature the Cycling Federation's most exhilarating competitions.
The season's high-point – the Israeli Road Cycling Championship – is scheduled for the end of June.
But before reaching the pivotal championship events – preceded by the two race-against-the clock championships – Israel's professional cyclists will have to overcome several exhausting races. When it comes to cycling, you know, no guts – no glory.
The season will start with the point-to-point Golan Heights' race scheduled for June 7, where cyclists will face several uphill roads along a 75-mile course.
Those able to recover will meet again the following Saturday, June 14, for the championship's prep-race: Peddling trough southern roads this time, the cyclists will simulate the championship's future outline, with the elite squad covering nearly 87 miles, set in a circular course.
June 21 will see the cyclists through an uphill race against the clock from the outskirts of Beit Shemesh to the Stalactites' Cave, near the Judean Mountains. The best time ever recorded on this 3.5-mile, 76% slope course was 16:45 minutes.
Those still able to peddle after the grueling course will place their bikes on the road championship's starting line on Saturday June 28. Reigning City Cycling Club champion Gal Tzahor, will be defending his title.
