Olav Kooij has won the fourth stage of the Tour de Pologne. The 21-year-old sprinter of Team Jumbo-Visma thundered through the finish street to beat the competition in a bunch sprint.
The wind made for a nervous start to the fourth stage. Tosh van der Sande, Koen Bouwman and Sam Oomen were involved in a crash, but the trio could continue.
Team Jumbo-Visma put Kooij in an ideal position for the race’s final stages. The young Dutchman was in second position and perfectly positioned coming out of the last corner. Kooij then sprinted to his seventh win of the season. Team Jumbo-Visma’s tally now stands at 46 wins in 2023.
“A wonderful victory”, Kooij said. “After the nervous opening stage, everyone in the peloton was on their toes. Everything pointed to a bunch sprint after that. I knew I had to be in a good position in the last corner. I was in an ideal position and decided to attack relatively early. Luckily I was strong enough to maintain my pace for a long time. This victory gives me a lot of confidence. We will celebrate this victory and soon concentrate on tomorrow’s stage.”
Kooij explained today’s tactics. “There is no set formula for a bunch sprint. Every stage is different, and you always have to look at the final with a new perspective and then make a plan. We did that brilliantly today. We took the initiative throughout the stage and ensured we had a good position in the final kilometre. The team helped me again today. This win gives me a lot of confidence, which is great for the rest of this season”, Kooij said.
Jos van Emden had to retire from the race. He was still suffering too much from the effects of his crash in the second stage.
2023 Tour de Pologne – Stage 4 Results
Stage winner – (DRUTEX) Olav Kooij – Team Jumbo-Visma
GC – Leader Jersey – (ORLEN) Matej Mohorič Bahrain – Victorious
KOM – Mountain Jersey – (PZU) Jacopo Mosca Lidl – Trek
POINTS – White Jersey (ENERGA) Matej Mohorič Bahrain – Victorious
Most Active rider (LOTTO) Patryk Stosz Poland
BEST TEAM (KGHM) UAE Team Emirates
Best Polish rider (ENERGA) Rafal Majka UAE Team Emirates
