The fourteenth edition of the Tour of Oman started with a 177-kilometre stage towards Bimmah Sinkhole. After a hilly opening phase, an almost flat finale awaited. In the peloton, Team Visma | Lease a Bike - with an notable Pietro Mattio - took control in service of sprinter Kooij. Some 20 kilometres from the finish line, the last remaining breakaway riders were caught, as the sprinters were gearing up for a first bunch sprint.   

With Daniel McLay and U23 world champion Niklas Behrens, Kooij could count on two new additions to his sprint train. The duo piloted the Dutchman to the front at the right time. Kooij - who took eight victories in 2024 - then sprinted convincingly to his first win of the season and the leader's jersey in the five-day stage race.   

"I am satisfied that I could immediately take my first win of the year here", Kooij responded afterwards. "Before the start of this race we had marked this stage, so we took our responsibility in the bunch. We executed everything perfectly today. I definitely have to thank my teammates. They made sure I could start my sprint in an ideal position. It felt great. I am looking forward to riding in the leader's jersey. Although the next stages will be tougher than today's."  

Sports director Maarten Wynants looks back on the first road victory of the season for Team Visma | Lease a Bike with satisfaction. "We are glad to get off the mark", the Belgian smiles. "With Daniel and Niklas, we had a brand-new lead-out for Olav today. Daniel is very experienced in this kind of work, while Niklas is only just up and coming. We were curious to see how that combination would work out. We can conclude that it worked very well. It was not an easy day for us. Pietro, who will get the chance to show himself at the WorldTeam as a U23 rider, did an excellent job in the peloton. It was a victory for the whole team. That makes it even more beautiful."