03/09/2023

Epic Van Aert leadout fires Olav Kooij to stage 1 win at the Tour of Britain

Jumbo-Visma's Olav Kooij has taken opening stage victory in a bunch sprint at the Tour of Britain, moving into the early race lead as a result.

A five-man breakaway formed, including Harry Tanfield and Fredrik Dversnes but the peloton was keeping a tight leash on the leaders. As such with 40km left, Tanfield was one of two to wait up for the bunch, leaving a trio up front.

Heading into the final 10km, they held just 28 seconds lead. Dversnes was the last man standing but with 1.6km to go, he finally was caught. In the final sprint, it looked like a battle between Sam Bennett and Olav Kooij. Kooij fired first and there was no beating the young Dutchman with leadout man Wout van Aert actually holding on for second.