Big setback for Visma | LAB: Kooij's season ends early due to stone in knee
Cycling
Olav Kooij’s season is over. The Visma | Lease a Bike sprinter is struggling with knee issues and has called it quits for 2024, as his Dutch team announced on X.
" Olav Kooij will not compete for the remainder of the season," Visma | LAB posted on social media. "The 22-year-old sprinter had been experiencing knee issues in recent days. Medical examinations revealed the presence of a small stone in his knee. This was likely the result of an earlier crash, and it now requires surgical removal. Following the procedure, he will need a short period of rest before beginning his recovery process. Given the timing, it has been decided that his season is over."
In 2024, the young Dutch sprinter had a year of ups and downs. In total, he was able to raise his arms in victory eight times, with a win in the Giro d’Italia as the standout highlight. However, his grand tour debut didn’t go as planned. His victory in Naples was also his last achievement in Italy. With wins in Paris-Nice, the Tour of Poland, and the prestigious sprint classic BEMER Cyclassics, Kooij proved he belongs among the fastest guys at the highest level.
Read more below the photo!
Kooij narrowly missed out on European gold medal, defeated by Merlier
There was a moment when it seemed Kooij might be heading to the Tour de France, but that plan didn’t materialize. In mid-September, he faced a major setback. Kooij was beaten by Tim Merlier at the European Championships, settling for silver. The Dutchman wasn’t well-positioned in the race, and the cooperation within the Dutch team faced criticism. After the European Championships, Kooij raced one more time in the Dutch race Gooikse Pijl, where he was again beaten by the newly crowned European champion. Now, his focus shifts to next season, and who knows what that has in store for the young rider.
The calendar for the new cyclo-cross season is now online! Check it out here. Or check out our general calendars for the remainder of the season for the men and women's races.
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Latest Comments
- I wish we could have seen him try. He'd absolutely get dropped before Pogi overtakes his domestiquesVeganpotter10-12-2024
- Talk is cheap! Next year barring crashes with a healthy team... all well be on track! Some need to talk to make a headline!mootman27-11-2024
- I do not see this event listed on HBO Max Sports Online? Can anyone confirm? Thanks!
MrYuck23-11-2024 - It seemed that he was focusing forward at the time of the crash, after seeing a quick video snippet. But one thing I think he should focus on more intently is breaking a bad habit he has, right now. And that is his constant looking over his shoulders. He does that so much, that I am very sure it is not good for him. Simply watch videos of the greats of CX and you will see very little of that constant looking over their shoulders. That is a behavior that betrays a bit of insecurity on his part. He shouldn't be so concerned, incessantly, about what is over his shoulder. He needn't worry they didn't all disappear. He neds to keep his focus more ahead of himself, and he needs to pay a bit more attention to himself, in a confident manner. It is very frustrating to watch, because it is apparent that he has a lot of potential, and is in much better shape thwan many of his competitors, but the mental game needs to be sharpened more, because that part of strategy plays a huge part in the final results
reemmo022-11-2024 - hahahaha love this shit! I didnt even watched the race, but reading all the gossip articles of how stupid this is!Zatoichi19-11-2024
- Van Aert is really handsome. He can influence me all day! Ditto for Philipsen. Why do you think many of us love cycling?: to see heroic attempts at climbing mountains at high altitudes or to watch speedsters sprint for the finish line or to watch a human being ride at break neck speed down a tricky descent? No, it's all about their lean physiques and muscular legs. (apologies for objectifying these dedicated and amazing athletes).BarwonHeadsUp25-10-2024
- It is unfortunate that the author can't feel the joy that Pogacar brings to the sport and his fans who are legion and I for one feel lucky to have watched such a memorable performance and historic season From the Strada until yesterday with multiple wins in stages in both tours and beyond dominance in the World's. He is proud to wear the Rainbow stripes, shows his leadership to protect his fellows and is as courteous and sportsman-like as the sport allows. He goes early to not have to respond to each attack as all the rest would make him do it. Any racer who could would do the same. Don't "grow tired" of greatness as it is always fleeting.ccrider13-10-2024
- What load of rubbish. Pog is likely a once in a generation cyclist, the like of which hasn't been seen since 'the Cannibal '. How many people were complaining that Merckx was making racing predictable? I remember this year's World RR as one of the most exciting I've watched. Mainly BECAUSE Pog was the favourite and launched what everyone thought (Pog included) was a suicidal attack with 80km to go. For the next 2 hours, I was on the edge of my seat thinking "this is too much, even for Pog". Maybe Zonnefeld prefers the snooze-fest that is a bunch sprint? Like most people I know, I can't watch two hours of the bunch riding very fast... I wait for the final 5km and watch just the sprint. In any event, most races are won from a sprint or lone break. What difference does it make who makes the lone break? Ultimately, the other contenders will have to figure out a way to beat Pog. Even if that means collaboration between teams. It's going to be an exciting few seasons, until the next Pog arrives on the scene. If this is boring, heaven knows what exciting looks like!Michael513-10-2024
- This is not a gravel race. UCI fail, from the surface they are on to team tactics. In what country was the first "gravel race" in what country is the most popular gravel race? Go with the race model that created the discipline.
Barnes127411-10-2024 - And don't forget he has now won 4 of the big 10 races (Grand tours, Monuments and WC/OG) in one year with a chance to make that 5. (5 has only been done once before)Joostmehrtens05-10-2024