English Woman's Journal - Kooij edges lively Paris-Nice opener

Weather - London 8°C

Kooij edges lively Paris-Nice opener

SPORTS 03.03.2024

Kooij edges lively Paris-Nice opener / Photo: Thomas SAMSON - AFP

Olav Kooij won the opening stage of Paris-Nice by a hair's breadth from Mads Pedersen on Sunday when the 158km hilly run round Les Mureaux came down to a mass sprint.

Change text size:

The 22-year-old Visma-Lease a bike rider is shaping up as one of the top sprinters in the peloton in his third win of the season and also took the overall lead of the eight-day race from the Paris region to the Riviera town of Nice.

Belgian maverick Remco Evenepoel, who is using the race as a warm-up for his tilt at the Tour de France this summer, gamely attacked the final hill to take four bonus seconds.

"Remco attacked after the climb so it was a nervous finish, but the guys protected me and lined me up," said Kooij.

"Tomorrow's another sprint stage so I'll try and keep the yellow jersey, as long as possible in fact."

Many of the pure sprinters failed to keep up the pace on the final climb and missed the final reckoning.

Evenepoel's key rival, Slovenia veteran Primoz Roglic on his first major outing since quitting Visma for Bora, had a modest ride hiding mainly in the wheels.

Monday's second stage is a flat 177.6km run from Thoiry to Montargis, with another mass bunch sprint predicted if there is no wind to create hoped for echelons in the vast agricultural plains outside Paris.

The third stage is a team time trial over 30km on Tuesday with Roglic and Evenepoel likely to shine as riders are timed individually.

N.M.Shaw--EWJ

Featured

FA Cup Second-Round Draw Confirmed for Non-League and Midlands Clubs

The FA Cup second-round draw has been finalized, setting up crucial ties for non-league teams aiming to reach the third round proper. Several clubs from the Midlands, including Burton Albion and Kidderminster Harriers, have secured their next opponents following recent victories over lower-league opposition.

Panthers expected to begin 2027 NRL season away from new stadium

The new Penrith Stadium is expected to be ready in time for the opening round of the 2027 NRL season, but it’s still likely the Panthers is expected to be on the road for their early matches. There is no delay to the build of the new $309 million venue but there’s a lack of appetite for risk around weather delays through the summer.

Virginia overwhelms Arkansas 91-72 behind balanced scoring

WASHINGTON (AP) — Thijs De Ridder scored 16 points, one of five players in double figures for No. 9 Virginia as the Cavaliers routed No.

Tayyab Arif hits 57 on Pakistan Test debut against Sri Lanka

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan (AP) — Tayyab Arif smashed an aggressive half-century on debut and provided a new-look Pakistan lineup a confident start to the first cricket test against Sri Lanka on Monday. The 20-year-old Tayyab struck nine boundaries and a six in his 57-run knock as Pakistan reached 137-2 at lunch on a greenish wicket that lured Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis to bowl first after winning the toss.

Change text size: