Cro Race: A Rare Chance to Step Out of the Shadows

It’s no secret that the world of cycling is divided into classes. At the two extremes: stars and domestiques.

However, being part of the working class doesn’t extinguish the flame of hunger in a true athlete to step out of the shadows. To finally have the opportunity to showcase what he knows without the constraints and team tasks.

The Cro Tour, which kicks off on Tuesday (October 1) and features six stunning stages in one of Europe’s most beautiful corners, will offer such an opportunity to several of the team’s riders, including two Israelis, Oded Kogut and Nadav Raisberg.

Kogut arrives as the team’s lead sprinter, and on paper, he may have the chance to contest victory in three, or even four, stages. Yes, he’ll need to tackle some climbs along the way and survive the selections, but he’s driven by the belief that it’s possible.

He says: “I feel like I haven’t really been able to show my full potential this season, but Croatia will be my chance to finish the year with a victory, or at least another podium.”

Israeli sports director Dror Pekatch reveals that Raisberg will also receive a rare opportunity. His task: to try to break into the top ranks of the general classification, with the team expected to support him. But this is no easy task, given the high-caliber riders lined up for the race.

“This year’s Cro Tour boasts a stronger startlist than ever,” says Pekatch. “Many teams are battling for points, with too few victories this season being shared among only a few teams. Every stage and, of course, the general classification will be fiercely contested.

“We’re coming into the race with the goal of giving young riders the opportunity to grow and learn how to win, including Oded in the sprints and Nadav in the general classification after he’s worked as a domestique all season.”

Raisberg is excited to seize the opportunity, though he harbors no illusions. On Sunday, he finished his first World Championship with mixed feelings. Until two laps before the end, he felt he was fully in the game, but he says the attacks of the new World Champion, Tadej Pogačar, set a blistering pace that eventually broke him. “I set new power output records, so I definitely rode well, but honestly, even that wasn’t enough to finish,” he admits.

Now, he’s hoping to make the most of this new opportunity. “I’m excited to fight for a spot in the general classification,” says Raisberg. “This race suits punchers like me. My dream is to crack the top 10. We’ve got a very strong team here, with at least one or two other candidates for the general classification [Canada’s Pier-André Coté and Britain’s Mason Hollyman], so the burden of proof is on me.”

Danish rider Mads Würtz Schmidt will receive a “free pass” to ride without team duties, while Israel’s Guy Sagiv will serve as the team captain, acting as the veteran leader.

IPT at Cro Race (October 1 – 6)

Riders: Pier-André Côté (CAN), Mason Hollyman (GBR), Oded Kogut (ISR), Nadav Raisberg (ISR), Guy Sagiv (ISR), Kiaan Watts (NZL), Mads Würtz Schmidt (DEN)

Sports Directors: Dror Pekatch (ISR), René Andrle (CZE)