"This time I was able to get there" - Olav Kooij ends runs of consistency to open tabs on 2023 season
Cycling
Olav Kooij is a very consistent sprinter, a specialist in positioning. However, after a string of near-wins, he took his first triumph of 2023 today at Paris-Nice.
“I was a bit far going into the last kilometre. Then I took the left side of the roundabout, which was a good choice. I got into a good position and then Edoardo Affini overtook me. After that I was in Pedersen's wheel. This time I was able to get there," Kooij said in a post-race interview. Stage 5 of the race had opportunities for others to succeed, but a bunch sprint was accepted unanimously as the outcome to the day.
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However, it was a difficult, with two tricky features inside the final kilometer. However, that benefited the Dutchman who was not relying in his leadout. Unlike Sam Bennett and Tim Merlier he followed the wheels of his rivals, and in a direct battle with Mads Pedersen he managed to take a big win. “Being second isn't bad, but it's about winning," the sprinter states.
"So I'm very happy that it worked. We came here with high expectations, so I'm glad I was able to take this victory, after we also won the team time trial," Kooij concluded. The teams focus now will fall on Jonas Vingegaard who currently sits in third place on the overall classification.
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Rúben SilvaEditor-in-Chief
A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
Beyond editorial work, he has been closely involved in the expansion and coordination of CyclingUpToDate’s wider network, helping establish and support sister platforms across multiple languages. This includes ongoing collaboration with CiclismoAlDia (Spanish), CiclismoAtual (Portuguese), WielrennenUpToDate (Dutch), and RadsportAktuell (German), contributing to a shared editorial vision and consistent international coverage.
He also helps oversee editorial governance across the network, setting standards for accuracy and consistency and coordinating updates or corrections when needed.
Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
Within 18 months of launch, he helped grow CyclingUpToDate’s English-language platform into one of the most-read cycling news websites, built entirely from the ground up. As both a professional journalist and lifelong cycling enthusiast, his focus remains on delivering accurate, timely, and well-contextualized coverage.
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- Pidcock finished 9th place, 29 minutes down. he is a helluva rider, so gutsy. and he is amazing at all disciplines. but this headline is . . .mij09-11-2026
- I know, watch the video. and listen to her competitors. it was a tricky tacky call at best. WTF is this guy talking about??? my original comment was from the picture it didn't look like anything.mij09-11-2026
- I dunno what you're talking about. you make no sense. MS's competitor and the competitors coach said it was BS. she didn't deviate in a way that relegation should be required. revel LOL. you're so cool, in your own mind.mij09-11-2026
- deviation lol, watch the videomij09-11-2026
- the 'No different than women who follow and discuss celebs through gossip magazines' comment was unfortunately a bit off. didn't you just boast about your principles in the comments section of another article?Ketterechts08-11-2026
- Are you MrMauMau 2.0? Nothing you are saying is really relevant. Vaguely connected, but irrelevant. The conversation is whether Schreiber impeded Brand or not.
Rafionain-Glas08-11-2026 - He is boring
leedorney08-11-2026 - To Twoje przemyślenia te bla, bla :)
Dariusz08-11-2026 - Uwielbiam patrzeć, jak wyjeżdża na czoło peletonu i zaczyna się rzeź...
Dariusz08-11-2026 - Yeah, unreal.
parisbound0008-11-2026
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🇫🇷 #ParisNice 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐩𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐨𝐟𝐟! 🥇🙌🏼
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