New sprint coach—with strong family ties—hould help Kooij and Visma | Lease a Bike step ahead

Olav Kooij is set to kick off his season this week in Oman, and he will do so with a new directeur sportif by his side: Jesper Mørkøv, a 36-year-old Dane. Mørkøv will help lead the Dutch team’s sprint group, as he explained ahead of his first race to Danish cycling website Feltet.dk.

Mørkøv makes his team debut alongside Belgian Maarten Wynants. "I’m happy to be part of this team. It’s an incredibly professional organization with a clear structure. It’s an honor to start my journey here. I was a cyclist myself, mainly on the track. Over the past three years, I gained experience with Uno-X, which was a fantastic time. Now, I’m looking forward to this new challenge with Team Visma | Lease a Bike," he said in his announcement.

Speaking to Feltet.dk, he elaborated on his specific role within the team. "This year, I’m responsible for the sprint group—mainly working with Olav Kooij, but also with Dan McLay and our other sprinter, Matthew Brennan. I really enjoy working with them. I think we have a strong group, and I already feel a great connection, especially with Dan and Olav." Brennan, meanwhile, has already made an impressive start to his season, securing multiple top finishes at the Tour Down Under.

Mørkøv has already put in significant off-season work with his riders. "We did a lot of preparation during the training camp—both on the road and through analytical work," says the Dane, who, unlike his brother Michael Mørkøv, never made a big name for himself on the road. "I have a solid understanding of sprinting. Thanks in part to my brother, whom I’ve always followed closely, I’ve learned a great deal. I’m probably one of the people who has studied him the most."

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Mørkøv will follow Kooij throughout the entire year

In Oman, Jesper Mørkøv is working with Olav Kooij for the first time. "Olav is still a young rider—it’s easy to forget that sometimes. He is very mature for his age and has already achieved a lot. I’m pretty sure that in a few years, he will be the best sprinter in the world. He is already far along in his development, both tactically and technically."

The Dane describes Kooij as a "modern sprinter." "He has a solid endurance base, and he’s one of those riders who, when the race heads slightly uphill, forces others to work hard to drop him." Mørkøv will support Kooij throughout the entire season, including in the Giro d’Italia. "Olav still has a lot of room to grow. Sprinting isn’t just about raw power—it’s also about technique and tactics. The key is to analyze how we can best utilize Olav’s strengths and give him the best possible chance to win," says Mørkøv, who is excited for his first year with Visma | Lease a Bike. "In any case, it’s truly exciting to work with a talent like him and the organization surrounding him."

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