After six years, Olav Kooij is closing the door behind him at Visma-Lease a Bike. Wout van Aert’s team now officially waves goodbye to the fast Dutchman.
After six years, Olav Kooij is leaving Visma-Lease a Bike. The 24-year-old Dutchman’s contract expired and he opted for a three-year adventure at the French Decathlon-CMA CGM. Kooij can finally ride the Tour there.
At Visma-Lease a Bike, due to the goal of winning the Tour with Jonas Vingegaard, this was not possible in the near future and so Kooij decided to leave. Visma-Lease a Bike has now waved goodbye to him on his social media.
Visma-Lease a Bike says goodbye to Olav Kooij
“For six years we have watched you grow from an ambitious devo rider to a WorldTour star, and we have loved every step along the way. Now it is time for you to open a new chapter, far away from “home”, and we wish you all the best for the future.”
On the website and in a video, Visma-Lease a Bike also looks back on Kooij’s past six years with the team. A compilation was also made of his ten most beautiful victories.
In total, Kooij rode 276 racing days in the Visma-Lease a Bike shirt and recorded 47 victories. Kooij won three stages in the Giro and in Paris-Nice, and last year he also won the BEMER Cyclassics.
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