"Really moving in the right direction" - Olav Kooij finally set to make Decathlan CMA CGM debut after virus nightmare

Olav Kooij signed with Decathlon CMA CGM over winter as one of the most exciting sprinters in the world and a huge coup for the French team. But a virus made it a nightmare start to the season as he saw his spring campaign completely swept away and is still waiting to make his debut for the team.

Signing from Team Visma | Lease a Bike as one of the most highly anticipated transfers of the season, the 24-year-old came with eleven wins in 2025 and already three Giro d'Italia sprint wins.

As a frustrating virus begins to clear, Kooij and his team are plotting a carefully planned return, kicking off next week in France. The Dutchman will start the four-day stage race Boucles de la Mayenne from May 28th to June 1st.

After his return, he's expected to head off to an altitude training camp to work on his high-end power with the Tour of Belgium the next planned outing from June 17th to 21st.

“Olav is doing very well,” Team director Sébastien Joly confirmed, speaking on French TV show Bistrot Vélo.

“He will return to competition at the Boucles de la Mayenne, and then at the Tour of Belgium. Between the two, he will also do a training camp to further fine tune his sprint and his top speed. Everything is really moving in the right direction, and we are very happy to have Olav back with us.”

Kooij was originally slated to be a major part of his new team's Tour de France plans this summer, but it's unclear whether his turbulent start to the season has seen his schedule torn up. Although down their main sprinter, Tobias Lund Andresen has stepped up to claim three victories and several podiums - with second in a Giro d'Italia and In Flanders Fields the highlights.

Kooij's possible Tour de France start becomes all the more complicated due to Paul Seixas' rapid development. The 19-year-old has been in stellar form in 2026, emerging as a possible Tour podium threat and a huge French hope for July glory.