Oded Kogut equalled his career-best WorldTour result as he took fourth on stage one of the Tour of Guangxi in Chongzuo on Tuesday.
Having been positioned well on a typically wide and straight finishing straight in China, Kogut showed his speed with a strong sprint to the line, while teammate and compatriot Itamar Einhorn was a few places behind him in 10th.
The 25-year-old matched his results from stage seven of March’s Tirreno Adriatico, and the Tour of Poland stage three in August, which already sat as the best WorldTour finishes for any Israeli rider.
“It’s a good start, and of course I aimed for better and the team aimed for better,” says Kogut. “But this fourth place is very positive for me, as it has been a long time since things clicked together for me. I struggled to find my rhythm.
“It’s a bit upsetting for me to be fourth, but on the other hand I’m happy with it.”
Kogut should get another opportunity to sprint in Wednesday’s second stage, which runs from Chongzuo to Jingxi.