"Winning there sticks in your memory as a special one" - Mark Cavendish's words of praise for Olav Kooij's Giro d'Italia win

Mark Cavendish is a 17-time stage winner at the Giro d'Italia and one of them was in the city of Napoli. In 2013 the Manxman won the first stage of the race in this city and put on the pink jersey; and he has thoroughly congratulated fellow sprinter Olav Kooij for this weekend's triumph.

"When Giro d'italia visits Napoli, it's really one of the most incredible days you can ever experience as a professional rider, whatever the result," Cavendish posted in his Instagram stories with a picture of the Visma sprinter's victory. "Winning there sticks in your memory as a special one. Congratulations Olav Kooij. Enjoy it!"

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Kooij has taken his first Grand Tour victory this Sunday after a masterful sprint against Jonathan Milan, although this was already the 33rd win of his young career. The Dutch sprinter is full of potential and has finally been given an opportunity to lead the team at a Grand Tour this spring.

Cavendish in the meantime also has reasons to be in good spirits as he took a much needed win at the Tour de Hongrie this week ahead of Dylan Groenewegen, after a period where it seemed like the pursuit of a Tour de France win was becoming hopeless. The Astana Qazaqstan Team rider even joined the breakaway on the final day of the race in search of winning the points classification, but was defeated by an impressive Thibau Nys who also won the overall classification in the race.

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Mark Cavendish's Instagram story on Olav Kooij's Giro d'Italia 2024 stage 9 win