"I see around six to seven chances for myself" - Olav Kooij eyes sprint wins on hotly-anticipated Grand Tour debut at Giro d'Italia

With 32 wins already on his palmares, Team Visma | Lease a Bike's sprinting prodigy Olav Kooij will finally get a chance to showcase himself in a Grand Tour over the next few weeks, after getting the nod for the 2024 Giro d'Italia.

"So far, everything is going well. I took a rest after the spring classics and then slowly built back up towards the Giro. That has definitely helped me," said Kooij in an official press release by Team Visma | Lease a Bike. "I see around six to seven chances for myself. If I look very optimistically maybe even eight. It is a very nice and strong field of participants. It won't be easy, but I believe I can beat them. My stage victory in the UAE Tour is a nice proof of that."

Having long been considered a sprint star of the future, Kooij has stepped up a level in the last couple of seasons, proving himself one of the fastest in the entire peloton. Already this year, the 22-year-old Dutchman has four wins under his belt including two stages of Paris-Nice. Although Wout van Aert won't be on hand to offer a superstar leadout due to his recent crash, European Champion Christophe Laporte is a more than capable replacement.

"It is of course incredibly frustrating that he cannot be there. Both for him, for me and the team. We were looking forward to this moment and had made a goal out of this Giro. But is is what it is," says Kooij of van Aert's absence. "Christophe is an experienced rider who knows what to do. Someone you can absolutely count on. We have already achieved great results together."

Given his success over the last couple of seasons, the fact Kooij hadn't had his shot at a Grand Tour led to some rumours of a transfer exit. Having signed an extension to his Team Visma | Lease a Bike contract though, Kooij is now ready to make the most of this opportunity given to him.

"Great that I can start at the Giro with this team. I have always felt very good here and together we have already shown some great things. Year after year, I can take big steps here in all aspects of the sport," he concludes. "I knew this year's Giro would be my first grand tour and I am looking forward to it immensely."