Race report | 22 May, 19:13

Kooij sprints to Giro stage victory after superb team effort

Name: Team Visma | Lease a Bike
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Olav Kooij has claimed victory in the 12th stage of the Giro d’Italia. The 23-year-old Dutchman was the fastest in the bunch sprint in Viadana after an impressive lead-out from Wout van Aert. It marks Kooij’s second-ever stage win in the Giro and his 40th professional victory.

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“It feels incredibly good to finally get my stage win,” Kooij said afterwards. “The previous sprints in this Giro didn’t go perfectly for us, but today everything fell into place. I’m really happy I could reward all the hard work from my teammates. The plan we laid out beforehand was executed perfectly. I’m extremely satisfied.”

Stage 12 of this year’s Giro d’Italia presented another opportunity for the sprinters. After a hilly start, the race finished on flat roads toward the finish in Viadana. Team Visma | Lease a Bike took control of the peloton behind three early breakaway riders. Among others, Steven Kruijswijk helped ensure the break stayed within reach and was caught well before the finish.

In the hectic run-up to the mass sprint, Kooij was brought forward at the perfect moment by teammates Edoardo Affini and Van Aert. The duo expertly guided their sprinter through the final kilometers. Van Aert then delivered a long, powerful lead-out. Kooij briefly came under threat from Casper van Uden, but the 23-year-old sprinter from Team Visma | Lease a Bike proved to be the fastest. It was his second ever stage win in the Giro d’Italia, bringing his total number of professional victories to 40.

"Wout is one of the few riders in the world capable of delivering such a lead-out"

Olav Kooij

“We moved up at just the right time,” said Kooij. “The plan was to come forward very late. We had to launch the sprint a bit earlier than we would have liked, but the guys did an amazing job. Wout is one of the few riders in the world capable of delivering such a lead-out. I’m proud to bring our team its second stage win in this Giro. This victory definitely leaves me wanting more.”

Sports director Marc Reef also looked back proudly on his riders’ performance: “We controlled the race perfectly as a team. Steven did a great job all stage to keep the breakaway within reach. We expected a tough race due to the climbs and the wind, but the peloton stayed calm. In the finale, it was crucial for Edoardo, Wout, and Olav to find each other - and fortunately, they did. They finished it off beautifully. The plan was executed to perfection.”