Drama for Olav Kooij: sprinter out longer than expected
Another setback for Decathlon CMA CGM. After it became clear on Thursday morning that Tiesj Benoot will miss the entire spring due to a hernia, doubts are also growing around Olav Kooij's name. Several sources close to the rider told WielerFlits that he will also miss the entire spring. Kooij is sidelined by a virus, although it is unclear which one.
In mid-January, his team announced that the 24-year-old Dutchman had contracted a virus, which postponed his planned debut for Decathlon CMA CGM at the 2026 UAE Tour. "Olav has, in consultation with his coach and the team's medical staff, drawn up an extensive recovery protocol to regain his full physical capacity as quickly as possible," the French team told WielerFlits and others at the time. However, Kooij was at that moment staying at the team's hotel in Benidorm, Spain.
Since then, it has been quiet around the Cheetah of Numansdorp. His team has hit the ground running this season, but it is still uncertain when Kooij will don a race number for the first time. In recent weeks, we have asked Decathlon CMA CGM several times for an update, but they were unable to provide one. "There is still nothing to report concerning Kooij, but as a team, we can confirm that Olav will not start in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad or Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne," said a spokesperson.
A hard blow for the French team's marquee signing. But the verdict might turn out to be even tougher. According to our information, Kooij has hardly been able to ride outside in recent weeks and is training almost exclusively on rollers. His entire spring preparation is reportedly ruined. Insiders within the team no longer expect Kooij to race in the Flemish classics, just like Benoot. Daan Hoole, Oliver Naesen, Pierre Gautherat, and Rasmus Søjberg Pedersen are now the main cards to play.
Besides the UAE Tour and the Opening Weekend, Kooij was initially also slated for Paris-Nice, Milan-San Remo, the Tour of Bruges, In Flanders Fields (formerly Gent-Wevelgem), and Dwars Door Vlaanderen. This summer, he aims for the green jersey in the 2026 Tour de France. With Benoot, Decathlon CMA CGM also lost their other team leader on Thursday morning. The experienced Belgian — who, like Kooij, transferred from Visma | Lease a Bike this winter — has undergone surgery for a herniated disc.
