"I wanted to start my sprint later": Olav Kooij reflects about his opening sprint of the season in Volta a Comunitat Valenciana

Olav Kooij managed to survive the climbs prior to the finish on the tricky route of Volta a Comunitat Valenciana opening stage. The Dutchman of Jumbo-Visma, suffered but was able to sprint at the finish although all the efforts came short since he was beaten by Intermarché-Circus-Wanty's Biniam Girmay.

"We knew it was going to be tricky. On the first climb they dropped me, but because we rode a tight pace I was able to come back. The second climb, the Bernia, went a bit easier because I could keep riding the wheels. That allowed me to survive well", Kooij told Eurosport after the finish.

Volta a Comunitat Valenciana is the opening race in Olav Kooij calendar. The Dutchmen proved he can survive some hills and be with the best at the end. Although he was beaten surprisingly by Girmay, Kooij seems happy with his performance in his first stage of the season.

"We knew we were going to sprint after that. I myself got into the wind early. Actually, I wanted to start my sprint later too, but Girmay was on the left and had a gap. He was just faster and deserved the win. But I can be happy with the performance. It is my first race of the year and this is something to build on for what is to come", he concluded.