The Dutchman indicated after the fifth stage of the French stage race that it had been a big fight throughout the entire stage. "It was a hard race, especially because there was a strong breakaway. In addition, we had headwind the whole day," Kooij said. "My teammates worked very hard in the chase and dropped me off well in the final. I'm grateful to them for that."

The middle part of the stage included four third-category climbs. The peloton did not take it easy in that part of the race, partly by the work of the riders of Team Visma | Lease a Bike. Among others Mick van Dijke and Koen Bouwman went hard at the front of the peloton to reel the breakaway group of eight back in.

In the twisty and fast final there was a short climb, where several riders chose to attack. Still, the strong sprinters battled for the day's victory, which went to Kooij.

"We already won the first stage, so it's great to win again now. We had planned to go for a sprint today. It's very nice that it all came together. In the second stage the sprint did not go as planned for us, so I'm happy that I was able to finish it of again in this stage. This win feels very good."

For Kooij, it is his fourth win of the season, having previously won a sprint in the UAE Tour and the Spanish one-day race Clasica de Almeria. "For me, this edition of Paris-Nice is already more than successful, but we have other goals. In the upcoming, more difficult stages we aim for a good result with Matteo Jorgensen and Wilco Kelderman."

With Kooij's new victory, Team Visma | Lease a Bike's number of victories rises to eleven.