"It was a special day for the whole team" - Olav Kooij brings to a close dream finale to Giro d'Italia for Visma

Olav Kooij had a disappointing start to the Giro d'Italia but the truth is the team's race completely changed on stage 9 with Wout van Aert's triumph in Siena. The Belgian then supported Olav Kooij to his first sprint win, and this Sunday in Rome the duo worked for a win together once again.

“Yesterday was really great for the team. Today I gave everything I had left in my legs. The team made it a lot easier again. I only had to persevere until the finish," Kooij said in a post-race interview after the stage.

The Dutchman was the penultimate rider to cross the line in Sestriere the previous day, he was late but joined the party for the Dutch team who shockingly took over the race lead on the competitive day. The race was done with a victory for all it's three leaders, today was the cherry on top of the cake.

What Visma managed to do was another textbook leadout, executed to perfection by Edoardo Affini and Wout van Aert into the finishing straight where Kooij launched his sprint and had the speed to hold off Kaden Groves and Matteo Moschetti.

“We had a plan, but in sprints it is never easy to do it perfectly. But today we went for it with the entire team," he explains. "First we made it a sprint and then Edo and Wout went all-in. We were perfectly positioned. I am happy that I was able to finish it.”

Now, the 23-year old conquers his third-ever Giro win, and victory number 41 of his career. "I was already very happy with this Giro. That I reach Rome and still win here, is very special. It was a special day for the whole team. With everyone in mind, it was a special day".