Oded Kogut on Paris – Roubaix: “It’s Going to Be Insane”
“I know this is going to be the craziest race I’ve ever done — by far,” says Israeli champion Oded Kogut, who is set to make his debut in the legendary Paris-Roubaix this Sunday, racing in the colors of Israel – Premier Tech.
“But honestly, I can’t even begin to imagine just how crazy it will be.”
The 24-year-old sprinter from Haifa wasn’t originally slated to start in this year’s edition, but a last-minute illness of a teammate opened up a spot — and Kogut jumped at the opportunity. He’ll be tackling the 259 kilometers and 30 brutal cobblestone sectors with a bruised hand from a recent crash.
He says: “Even before the season began, I asked the team for a shot at this race, and I was included in the wider squad. It’s a dream for me to take part in a race I grew up watching.”
On Thursday, Kogut got his first taste of just how tough the challenge will be, as the team reconned some of the race’s cobbled sectors — including the infamous 2.3 km stretch through the Arenberg Forest, arguably the most feared sector of them all.
“I saw black,” he says with a half-smile. “It was hard just holding the handlebars. I felt like I was entering some wild and unforgiving territory — but it’s also thrilling and magnetic.”
This will be the 125th edition of the “Hell of the North” — first held way back in 1896 — and IPT is coming in with a well-rounded lineup, though without a clear-cut leader. The squad includes previous top-10 finishers Tom Van Asbroeck (Belgium) and Güillaume Boivin (Canada), as well as in-form Hugo Hofstetter (France), who finished fifth at Gent – Wevelgem at the end of March.
Kogut’s role will be to help position the team’s leaders near the front of the peloton — or what’s left of it — ahead of the first major cobblestone sector, which comes after nearly 100 kilometers of racing. His personal goal is clear: to survive the chaos and finish the race.
Last season, his good friend Nadav Raisberg managed to finish Paris-Roubaix, and Itamar Einhorn also delivered a strong performance in a past edition. So while Paris-Roubaix is far from a sprinter’s paradise, Kogut believes the mission is possible.
“I’m a strong, technical rider who knows how to position well,” he adds. ”I’ve already done plenty of hard races in Belgium — though none quite like this. Am I nervous? Of course. But I’m also incredibly excited for the chance to push myself to the absolute limit.”
Israel – Premier Tech for Paris-Roubaix (Sunday April 13)
Riders: Guillaume Boivin (Canada), Hugo Hofstetter (France), Oded Kogut (Israel), Riley Pickrell (Canada), Michael Schwarzmann (Germany), Riley Sheehan (USA), Tom Van Asbroeck (Belgium)
Sports Directors: Steve Bauer (Canada), Pat McCarty (USA), Rene Andrle (Czechia)
