Visma support Olav Kooij with new leadout at UAE Tour whilst young riders are given chance to fight for GC

At the Tour of Oman, Team Visma | Lease a Bike took Olav Kooij where he managed to debut Olav Kooij and Dan McLay as a combination for the sprints to have under eye. Kooij won two stages and he's looking to translate that into the UAE Tour - the 'sprinter World Championships.

“The Tour of Oman was definitely a success. With two sprint opportunities and two stage wins, I think we performed well as a team. The first test with our new sprint setup was a success," Kooij said in a press release issued by the team. "In the UAE Tour, we will be competing at a higher level. It’s up to us to prove that we are ready for that challenge.”

Kooij will also be supported by under-23 World Champion Niklas Behrens and Tosh van der Sande in these days - there will be a total of four flat stages. Julien Vermote may also be part of the leadout, if Visma does not work during the day. Kooij will be having to battle the likes of Tim Merlier, Jasper Philipsen and Jonathan Milan throughout the week.

“Our primary goal is to maintain the good momentum with the sprint train. We are aiming for stage wins with Olav, but we also want to further optimize the collaboration between him, Daniel McLay, and Niklas Behrens during the race," team DS Jesper Morkov added. For the GC the team didn't bring any of it's big figures to the UAE, but instead keeps them in Europe for a traditional training block. Instead, the team gives freedom to two of it's younger climbers to fight for their own results.

"Additionally, we have Thomas Gloag and Bart Lemmen, who will get the chance to ride for their own results in the two mountain stages," Morkov adds. "They will also be keeping an eye on the overall classification.”

Team Visma | Lease a Bike for UAE Tour 2025: