"It is always better to race with Wout than against him" - Olav Kooij is not afraid of bigger names on the start of European Championships
Cycling
Olav Kooij appears to be the Dutchman with the greatest chance of success at the European Championships in Drenthe on Sunday. However, he himself does not speak of absolute leadership.
"I think we are here with a strong team, not necessarily with one leader," he told WielerFlits. Kooij himself expects to race defensively rather than offensively. "But we all know that this is a circuit where it is better to be in the race than to chase as a team. I think we have several boys who are suitable for that role and who also have chances from possibly a small group."
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The top favorite for the European title is Kooij's Jumbo-Visma teammate Wout van Aert. The Dutchman is not afraid of the Belgian, he says. "But it is always better to race with Wout than against him. He is of course one of the contenders on every course. The Belgians will again have a strong team on Sunday. They will certainly play a major role."
Finally, Kooij answered the question of who he expects on the podium. "A Belgian, a Dane and a Dutchman, but I won't say in what order," laughed the 21-year-old rider.
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Ondrej ZhasilCycling Journalist
Ondřej Zhasil is a cycling journalist at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2023. He is based in Ostrava, the third-largest city in the Czech Republic, and covers professional cycling across the main UCI competitions, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España. A key focus of his work is startlist analysis and pre-race coverage, where he examines team selections, rider line-ups, and tactical scenarios ahead of major events.
Alongside WorldTour coverage, Ondřej has developed specific expertise in junior cycling and in racing across East Asia, including competitions in China and Japan. He also maintains a broad working knowledge of other disciplines and levels, including cyclocross, while continuing to expand his understanding of mountain bike racing.
Ondřej holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Physics, which supports his analytical, data-driven approach to performance and race analysis. In his reporting, he regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available.
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🇱🇺 #TourDeLuxembourg 💬 “Koen was aiming for a good result, and he certainly achieved that.” – sports director Maarten Wynants Read more in our report! ✍️ ⤵️
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