On a 177-kilometre course in and around Hamburg, the peloton kept control of the breakaway. Julien Vermote took part of the work, ensuring that the six breakaway riders were caught early in the finale. On the final circuit, the sprinters ran out of problems, making a bunch sprint inevitable.

Kooij set up his sprint early and held off Milan by a small margin. "We knew there was a tricky corner two kilometres from the finish and we had to be in the right place. I followed the guys from Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe, then Christophe passed me and dropped me off in a perfect position. I set up my sprint early and was able to hold on until the line", the Dutchman said. 

Kooij, who will start the European Championships in Flanders next week, was riding his first race since his crash in the Renewi Tour. "After my crash I took it easy for a week, so I didn't really know how I would be today. The guys motivated me to sprint and I'm happy I was able to reward them with the win. This is a great prize."

Sports director Maarten Wynants is happy with the win, but still has a bitter aftertaste about the day. "Tim van Dijke and Koen Bouwman got involved in a crash and for Tim in particular it didn't look good. He is now being examined in hospital, but we fear a wrist fracture", Wynants said.

"Julien Vermote and Tosh Van der Sande did great work in the first part of the race and after the final passage of the Waseberg, Mick van Dijke, Christophe Laporte and Olav were still in front. Christophe pulled the sprint for Olav and he finished it off." According to Wynants, Kooij has shown he is ready for the European Championship. "The guys he beat here will also be at the start in Hasselt next week. That will give him a lot of confidence."