Olav Kooij finally has a return date, but will he make the Tour de France?

Olav Kooij is set to make his long-awaited return to competitive racing later this month, as he prepares to debut in the Decathlon CMA CGM jersey at the Boucles de la Mayenne stage race from 28 to 31 May. The Dutch sprinter, who had been sidelined by a virus since the start of the season, will also compete in the Baloise Belgium Tour in mid-June. These appearances will mark his first races of 2026, following a frustrating period of inactivity that delayed his anticipated season opener at the UAE Tour. Kooij had been one of the most promising sprinters in the peloton during his five years with Visma-Lease a Bike, and his transfer to Decathlon CMA CGM was viewed as a major coup for the emerging team. Decathlon’s director Sébastien Joly confirmed that Kooij is progressing well in training and is expected to regain his sprinting form ahead of these races. Joly expressed confidence that the Dutchman’s health issues are behind him and that the team is pleased to have him back in competition. Despite this positive news, Kooij’s participation in the 2026 Tour de France remains uncertain. Initially, he was considered a key figure for Decathlon’s Tour squad, but the rise of 19-year-old Paul Seixas, who will be making his Grand Tour debut with ambitions for a strong general classification result, complicates team selection. Decathlon must balance the demands of supporting a GC contender with those of a sprinter, a challenge given the limited number of riders permitted in the Tour squad. The team’s strategy will likely hinge on whether they can accommodate both riders alongside the necessary support crew, including lead-out men for Kooij and climbers for Seixas. Kooij faces a race against time to prove his readiness and sprinting prowess in the upcoming races, with his performance potentially influencing the selectors’ final decision. If he can rediscover his former speed by mid-June, it could create a difficult but exciting dilemma for Decathlon as they finalise their Tour de France line-up.