Olav Kooij won the Second Stage of the Renewi Tour on Thursday. The Dutchman of Visma-Lease a Bike was more than a Match for Tim Merlier, Among Others, In The Mass Sprint. Kooij also Takes over The Leader’s Jersey.
Duration the Flat Stage to the Belgian Ardooie, there was a bit a bit of wind. The Peloton Fell Apart Into Echelons Several Times, Partly Under The Initiative of Mathieu van der Poel. Anyally, a Large Group Sprinted for the Stage Win.
In The Mass Sprint, Kooij was in a class of his own. The 23-year-old Dutchman wriggled his way to the front without a helper and had a bike length lead on number two pavel bittner at the finish line. Milan Fretin Crossed the Line in Third Place.
At Least as Impressive was that kooij was much faster than merlier. The Belgian Winner of the First Stage was initially better positioned and seemed to be on his way to his Second Victory in a row, but defeated, the Kept His Legs Still when Kooij Came Swooping fits.
Merlier Possible had to Settle for Seventh Place. With that, Kooij Achieved Something Rare: Merlier had only Been Beaten Once Before This Season in A Mass Sprint, by Jonathan Milan In The Uae Tour.
Kooij Achieved His 7th Victory of the Season and his 43rd in Total. He also looked over The Leader’s Jersey from Merlier, Who is Second In The Same Time. There will be bigger differentences in the classification on Friday. The Third Stage Goes Through The Flemish Ardennes and Finishes on the Wall of Geraardsbergen.
Wiebes Wins in Belgium
Lorena Wiebes won the GP Lucien van Impe on Thursday. It was Already the Seventeenth Victory of the Dutch Top Sprinter This Season. The Norwegian Susanne Andersen Came Second.