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World Tour 15 Oct '24 - 20 Oct '24
1/6 Fangchenggang › Fangchenggang 149km
2/6 Chongzuo › Jingxi 181km
3/6 Jingxi › Bama 214km
Kooij third after hectic final Gooikse Pijl

Kooij third after hectic final Gooikse Pijl

Olav Kooij finished third in the Gooikse Pijl. The 22-year-old Dutchman came in after Jordi Meeus and winner Tim Merlier in the bunch sprint. Team Visma | Lease a Bike was at the start with a mix of experience and youth.

The Gooikse Pijl is traditionally a chance for the sprinters. Team Visma | Lease a Bike was at the start with a mix of experience and youth in support of leader Kooij. With Colby Simmons, Dario Belletta and Jesse Kramer, three riders from the development team got a chance to gain experience at the highest level.  

After the start in Roosdaal, four riders formed the early breakaway. The peloton kept the breakaway riders' lead under control. Also Team Visma | Lease a Bike did its part. The breakaway was caught at six kilometres from the finish line. In the closing kilometres on narrow roads, the riders battled for good positions. In a hectic sprint, it was a battle between Kooij, Meeus and European champion Merlier. Kooij eventually had to trail the two Belgians.  

"The guys did everything they could"

DS Frans Maassen

“We have to be satisfied with this third place”, stated sports director Frans Maassen afterwards. “Of course it was a goal for us to win here, but the guys rode a good race and they did everything they could. We controlled the race. Colby, Dario and Jesse also did a great job in support of Olav to keep him at the front of the peloton all day. In that way, they could learn a lot today.” 

Alfasun Gooikse Pijl p/b Lotto

One day race

Result

Result

1
Tim Merlier
Soudal Quick-Step 04:17:14
2
Jordi Meeus
Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe +00:00:00
3
Olav Kooij
Team Visma | Lease a Bike +00:00:00
49
Dario Igor Belletta
Team Visma | Lease a Bike +00:00:00
63
Colby Simmons
Team Visma | Lease a Bike +00:00:00
64
Jesse Kramer
Team Visma | Lease a Bike +00:00:00
74
Milan Vader
Team Visma | Lease a Bike +00:00:09
75
Julien Vermote
Team Visma | Lease a Bike +00:00:09
80
Mick van Dijke
Team Visma | Lease a Bike +00:00:09

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