"Our timing was not ideal" - Olav Kooij fails fight for victory once again in China

Fifth and seventh is the outcome of the first two stages of the Tour of Guangxi for Olav Kooij. The Jumbo-Visma rider came into the race as one of the main and most successful sprinters of the season but has not managed to thrive in the chaos of the Chinese sprints.

"It was a hectic sprint. The last 3.5 kilometers were straight forward. That often makes it complex, because the timing is crucial. This time our timing was not ideal and therefore we had to start from just a little too far away," team DS Marteen Wynants said following the race. "There is something to racing in China. They are not used to dealing with cyclists here, which makes it special. It's fun to race in a different culture, that makes it unique and interesting."

However the finales are completely pan-flat so far in the opening two stages and not technical at all. The lack of climbs or distance throughout the stages sees all leadouts arrive fresh to the final meters which then leads to a chaotic battle for the head of the peloton - where in both sprints no team managed to take control in the final kilometer. Kooij hasn't dialed in his positioning and had to settle for minor results in both occasions.

However, stage 3 will not be the same. Whilst the finale is almost equal, the stage features several ascents of a steep hilltop which will thin down the peloton. The stage may not come down to a sprint but Wynants believes his chances may be better. "We are often faced with a climb of one kilometer at an average of ten percent. Then everything has to go well to be able to sprint."