Team Jumbo-Visma targets stage wins at Renewi Tour with Kooij
After a one-year absence, the Renewi Tour, formerly known as the Benelux Tour, is back on the calendar. Team Jumbo-Visma will participate in the five-day stage race from Wednesday, 23 August, to Sunday, 27 August, hoping for stage wins with Olav Kooij.
This year's Renewi Tour consists of two flat stages, two hilly stages and an individual time trial. The 13.6-kilometre time trial in Sluis in Zeeland will take place on the second day. "There will be big time gaps right from the start", sports director Arthur van Dongen predicts. "And the rest will come on Friday when the riders have to climb the Muur van Geraardsbergen and the Bosberg."
The third stage between Aalter and Geraardsbergen is also the toughest in this edition of the Renewi Tour, with some well-known climbs from the spring. Another flat stage follows on Saturday before the final stage is again for the mountain specialists. "Both the third and fifth stages will be very tough. I expect an attractive and hard race on both days", says Van Dongen.
Team Jumbo-Visma is aiming for stage wins with Kooij, who has already won eight stages this season. According to Van Dongen, it is not inconceivable that the young Dutchman will also ride a good classification race. "Olav showed in the ZLM Tour that a five-day stage race suits him well", he continues.
"Of course, we shouldn't compare the field of the Renewi Tour with the ZLM Tour, but I wouldn't be surprised if Olav can also fight for a good classification in the tougher stages. We will have to see how he feels, and if he is not in the best shape, we still have two good riders, Tobias and Mick, for the GC. But our priority is Olav."
Joining Kooij in Team Jumbo-Visma's seven-man squad are Edoardo Affini, Tosh Van der Sande, Tobias Foss, Timo Roosen, Jos van Emden and Mick van Dijke.