Late starter Olav Kooij has a point to prove at French stage race, according to Decathlon DS Renshaw

Olav Kooij returns to racing on Thursday in the Boucles de la Mayenne. The Dutchman is making his season debut and will also race for the first time in the colours of Decathlon CMA CGM. But the sprinter is not there simply to get some kilometres in. The team are immediately targeting a win, team director Mark Renshaw told L'Equipe.

Kooij made the switch from Visma | Lease a Bike to the French Decathlon CMA CGM team this winter. At his new squad, the sprinter should have more chances to ride the Tour de France. But a stubborn virus disrupted matters for the fast Dutchman, and as a result he has not raced yet this season .

That changes on Thursday in the Boucles de la Mayenne. The Dutchman had been hugely looking forward to his return and could not wait to get back into the peloton. The opposition in the French stage race is far from weak, though. Without any race rhythm, Kooij will line up against riders such as Juan Sebastian Molano, Matthew Brennan and Mads Pedersen. Even so, Decathlon CMA CGM have plenty of confidence in their sprinter.

"We want to win," said team director Renshaw clearly. "He is in very good form and has recovered well over the past period. The aim is to keep building as quickly as possible, but without rushing things. And the goal remains the same, as a team: to come to the start to win. That is why we built the team".

Renshaw also stressed that it will not be easy, given the tough opposition. "You can have good training data, but sprinters need a finish line; that is how they develop. The plan is to win here, and then at the Tour of Belgium in mid-June, where you normally meet Tim Merlier and Jasper Philipsen".

Whether Paul Seixas’ presence in the Tour squad will affect Kooij’s potential participation, Renshaw would not say. "Our priority is that he is successful now in his first two races." Starting in the Boucles de la Mayenne, where there are normally two sprint chances on offer.