Olav Kooij admits he focused too much on Van der Poel in Tour de France sprint

Tim Merlier 2–1 Olav Kooij. After three sprint finishes at the Tour de France, the Soudal Quick-Step rider has therefore emerged as the fastest man so far. However, Kooij was not far away for Decathlon CMA CGM on Saturday. The Dutchman finished third in Bergerac and spoke to NOS about his result afterwards.

Kooij seemed to be in the perfect position as he entered the finishing straight on the wheel of Jasper Philipsen and Mathieu van der Poel. “I think I came through that final corner in a good position and, yes, I also had enough space to launch my sprint.”

“I was on Van der Poel’s wheel. Then Philipsen moved across to his wheel, so I knew they were going to launch the sprint,” Kooij explained. However, the Dutchman may have hesitated for slightly too long. “Perhaps I was a little too focused on the two riders in front of me, rather than really trying to create some momentum and carry more speed into my sprint.”

Merlier, who had been positioned further back, had already built up that speed. “Of course, he can partly use the slipstream and really carry that momentum forward. By the time he comes alongside me, he already has more speed. I can still move onto his wheel for a moment, but there is not enough time left to correct it.”

Kooij was not overly critical of himself. “I think that is simply how sprinting goes. In that respect, especially after yesterday, I am satisfied with this. At least I was able to launch my sprint properly, and today that resulted in third place,” said Kooij, who had finished outside the top 20 the previous day. The next likely opportunity for the sprinters is scheduled for Wednesday.