Olav Kooij back in the Decathlon fold as Dutch sprinter rejoins teammates in Spain

Olav Kooij has not raced yet this season after being laid low by a virus, but he has been back on the bike for some time now. The Dutch sprinter has joined his teammates in Spain, where part of the Decathlon CMA CGM squad is in training camp ahead of the Giro d'Italia.

On the day that Decathlon CMA CGM had planned to present their high-profile Dutch signing to the media, the team instead announced that Kooij's debut would have to be postponed indefinitely. "Olav has suffered a setback in his preparation," the team said at the time. "The team's medical staff has decided that Olav must rest fully to optimise his recovery. In consultation with his coach and the team's medical staff, Olav has drawn up an extensive recovery protocol to restore his full physical capabilities as soon as possible." The precise nature of the virus was not disclosed for privacy reasons.

On the day Decathlon CMA CGM was to introduce the Dutch acquisition to the press in January, it released the news that Kooij would have to postpone his debut for the French team until further notice.

Several months on, the UAE Tour, Paris-Nice and the spring Classics — races Kooij had been earmarked for — have all come and gone. He has been riding for a while now and has since joined his teammates in Spain, as he showed on social media with a 'Back at it 📈' story post.

In the photo, Kooij is seen alongside Tobias Lund Andresen, who stepped up in his absence and had an excellent spring. Andresen is now preparing for the Giro d'Italia. Meanwhile, much of the attention at Decathlon CMA CGM has naturally shifted to La Flèche Wallonne winner Paul Seixas, who may yet line up alongside Kooij and others at the Tour de France.

When exactly Kooij will make his racing return remains unknown. As soon as Decathlon CMA CGM can — and wants to — say more, they will.