Boucles de la Mayenne: Olav Kooij nets first win with Decathlon CMA CGM on stage 1

Olav Kooij secured a significant victory on the opening stage of the Boucles de la Mayenne, marking his first win with Decathlon CMA CGM and only his second race of the 2026 season. The Dutch sprinter, who recently transferred from Visma-Lease a Bike, had been sidelined by illness earlier in the year and made his competitive debut for his new team in the race’s prologue. His win on the slightly uphill finish in Château-Gontier-sur-Mayenne was a strong statement of intent after a challenging start to the season. Kooij’s sprint was perfectly timed as he navigated a tricky final corner and launched his effort with around 150 metres remaining, holding off rivals despite a late charge from Mads Pedersen of Lidl-Trek. Alessio Magagnotti of Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe Rookies and Anthony Turgis of TotalEnergies rounded out the podium, with Pedersen fading to seventh. The performance demonstrated Kooij’s sharpness and the effectiveness of Decathlon CMA CGM’s lead-out strategy on a fast and tactical day. Reflecting on the win, Kooij emphasised the importance of belief and team support in his comeback, describing the victory more as a personal milestone than a mere race result. After months away from competition due to illness, he expressed gratitude for being back in the peloton and enjoying racing again. His teammates’ faith and hard work were crucial factors in securing the win, which will undoubtedly boost his confidence moving forward. This victory carries broader implications for Kooij’s ambitions this season, particularly regarding his role in the Tour de France. With his health issues earlier in the year and the emergence of general classification hopeful Paul Seixas within the team, questions had been raised about his status for the summer’s grand tour. However, this early success suggests Kooij remains a key asset for Decathlon CMA CGM and could play a pivotal role in their sprinting strategy in the months ahead.