On multiple occasions he beat World Tour competition including compatriots such as Fabio Jakobsen and Dylan Groenewegen. He was only 20 years old but a natural, having won two stage-races from the ones above revealing even more versatility. This year he's won a stage at Paris-Nice, as well as finishing second at the Classic Brugge-De Panne and eighth at Gent-Wevelgem.
However, in a team with so much quality, a pure sprinter doesn't have a leading position. Despite his talent Koiij is set to race his third year as a pro and with no plans to race a Grand Tour. With an incredible classics block and the Grand Tours being led by Jonas Vingegaard, Primoz Roglic and Wout van Aert, the Dutchman is left to race a modest calendar.
Team DSM is said to be the prime contender to sign Kooij, however a report from Het Laatste Nieuws also points to the interest of several French teams.