Oded Kogut sprints to biggest career win at Gooikse Pijl
Israeli sprinter Oded Kogut may not have been the top favorite going into the Belgian one-day classic Gooikse Pijl but he showed absolute determination in testing conditions to power to victory in the bunch sprint.
The win marks the fifth victory of Kogut’s career – his first in 2025 – and arguably his biggest win to date in a strong field that saw Dylan Groenewegen (Team Jayco Alula) and Gerben Thijssen (Intermarcheé – Wanty) round out the podium ahead of Jordi Meeus (Red Bull – BORA – hansroghe).
“Winning in Belgium, where I’ve been racing for so many years and where the level is so high, means a lot,” says Kogut. “I know I’m at the level of all the other good sprinters at the race. I don’t think those guys are better than me. I’ve sprinted against them many times, but I haven’t always had the opportunity – sometimes because of team tactics, sometimes positioning, sometimes just not having the gap to go. But I knew I had the speed and today I could prove it.
“This win means a lot. Especially after what the team went through at the Vuelta a España. I’m really happy to show that we belong in these races, and I hope my win brings some hope.”
The torrential rain didn’t phase the 24-year-old, who was well positioned coming into the final kilometer and managed to surf the wheels perfectly. Kogut launched his sprint inside the final 150m, hitting the front and not looking back until he crossed the line with arms raised in celebration.
“The forecast said there wasn’t supposed to be any rain, so I really didn’t expect it,” adds Kogut. “A big part of the race I was actually freezing. But I think in the end it was for the best, because the rain and the stress helped me get into the mood, into my zone. I was just fighting for position, fighting for the corners when everyone else was a little more afraid. That put me in a super good position to start my sprint.”
IPT started the day with just five riders – Kogut was joined by countrymen Itamar Einhorn and Rotem Tene, and Pascal Ackermann and Jens Verbrugghe – but it didn’t impact the team’s objectives or plan, explains Sports Director Rene Andrlé.
“Oded was leader from the beginning together with Itamar,” explains André, “In the end, Pascal worked well on the positioning for Oded and also advised him on which wheel would be best and in the final, Itamar brought Oded into a good position before the important corner with 5 kilometers to go. Oded was well positioned, then opened the sprint from second position and won quite easily. It was a beautiful victory for Oded and the team.”
