Sprint and classics talent Olav Kooij joins WT ranks of Jumbo-Visma
Feb 19 2021 06:54 am CET
Team Jumbo-Visma
Jumbo-Visma has announced that young talent Olav Kooij will take a step to the WorldTour team from the Development formation.
The 19-year-old Dutchman has shown strengths in the sprint and the classic races and last season he celebrated for six times. The original plan for Kooij was to make the move to the WorldTour formation in the middle of the current season, but the team has decided that the time is right for him to join the formation.
"With Olav we propose a balanced talent development programme," said Merijn Zeeman, sports director of Jumbo-Visma. "Not only do we look at his race programme, but also, for example, at his preparation and his specific role in a race.
"Unfortunately more and more races are dropped from our development team programme and at the same time more space is created in the pro programme by the temporary loss of riders. This creates a situation for Olav in which a transfer is the best contribution to his training and development."
The young Dutchman is pleased with the news. "In the professional races I can learn a lot," said Kooij. "I take all that experience with me. By taking this step now I am more assured of riding races and that is an important part of my development.
"I won't see my teammates from the Development Team as much now, but I will still see them at training camps and races with the mixed team. I also hope to see them again in the World Tour team soon."
