Kooij wins thrilling Tour of Britain first stage

Olav Kooij, a Dutch rider, fought back from Tord Gudmestad with a strong challenge to win the Tour of Britain’s opening stage.

In the final stretch of the 167.6 km route between Woodbridge and Southwold, the pair engaged in a toe-to-toe conversation.

The 23-year-old Team Visma-Lease a Bike rider, however, passed the finish line ahead of Norway’s Gudmestad of Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale to claim his fifth stage victory since making his Tour debut in 2023.

“It’s a really good feeling, of course. Wining a race is always nice, and I recall well from that race two years ago,” Kooij said.

“I’m really happy to continue my success two years ago and I’m glad to return to this race.”

Hugo Hofstetter of France placed third, while Samuel Watson of the Ineos Grenadiers placed sixth overall.

After stage one, which required an early diversion due to a burst water main, Hofstetter came in third, followed by Kooij in the general classification, Gudmestad in second, and Hofstetter in third.

Meanwhile, Joshua Golliker of Great Britain leads the country overall in fifth place.

The 2025 Tour of Britain will also mark Geraint Thomas’ illustrious 19-year career’s final professional race.

The 39-year-old Welshman won the Tour de France in 2018 and advanced to the top 40 after suffering a puncture in the opening round.

1. Olav Kooij (Ned/Team Visma-Lease a Bike) 3 hrs 29 mins 1 sec

2. Same time as Tord Gudmestad (Nor/Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale).

3. (Fra/Israel-Premier Tech) Humo Hofstetter

4. Tim Torn Teutenberg (Ger/Lidl-Trek)

5. Alberto Dainese (Tudor Pro Cycling)

6. Sam Watson (GB/INEOS Grenadiers)

7. Tom Crabbe (Bel/Team Flanders-Baloise)

8. (Nor/Uno-X Mobility) Alexander Kristoff

9. Irl/Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team Rory Townsend

1. Olav Kooij (Ned/Team Visma-Lease a Bike) 3hrs 28 minutes 51 secs

2. Tord Gudmestad (Nor/Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale) + 4 secs

3. (Fra/Israel-Premier Tech) Humo Hofstetter+6secs

4. Michael Lanhove (Bel/Team Flanders-Baloise) + 7 seconds

5. 8 seconds for Joshua Golliker (GB/Great Britain) + 8 seconds

6. 9secs of Diego Uriarte (Spa/Equipo Kern Pharma) +

7. Tim Torn Teutenberg (Ger/Lidl-Trek) + 10 seconds

8. Same time as Alberto Dainese (Ita/Tudor Pro Cycling).

9. Sam Watson (GB/INEOS Grenadiers)