TdF stage 5: Kooij win in Pau

Olav Kooij was worth the roster selection by Decathlon CMA-CGM by delivering a stage win at this first Tour de France. The Dutch rider won the fifth stage in Pau, while Norwegian rider Torsten Traeen kept the yellow jersey. Kooij held off German Max Kanter and Belgian Tim Merlier.

Olav Kooij, 24, only joined Decathlon CMA CGM earlier this year, this is his first time at the Tour. He was injured for the first half of the season, which meant he didn’t race until the end of May and had to really fight for selection.

Stage 6 is a 186.2 kilometer challenging trek starting with two moderate climbs before riders tackle Col d’Aspin (Cat1), followed by a grueling 17.1 kilometer ascent up the famed Col du Tourmalet (HC)

“I think it means quite a lot, just in general, after a pretty tough spring, to get back to this level, to keep believing in yourself and just a few people who believe in you as well is all you need. To be here with the support of the team today was all I could ask for and they did a great job. 

“I think it was quite an easy day until the final, so you know it will be hectic. The first sprint of the Tour, everyone is still really eager. I just managed to find my way a bit on my own in the end, but I found the right wheel, and I just wanted to have a chance to sprint today. When I saw the line I just went as hard as I could.”

-Olav Kooij

Veistroffer on his solo ride at the front for 144km

“I felt very lucky all day to be able to do this, as a Frenchman. I had a lot of fun, I was smiling all day, the encouragement, the crowd… I really enjoyed myself at the front.”

-Baptiste Veistroffer (Lotto Intermarche)