"This time I was able to get there" - Olav Kooij ends runs of consistency to open tabs on 2023 season

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.

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.