Dutch Sweep in Lecce: Van Uden Wins Stage 4, Kooij and Zijlaard Complete Historic Podium
A triumphant day for the Netherlands at the Giro d’Italia as Casper van Uden sprinted to victory on stage 4, joined by fellow countrymen Olav Kooij in second and Maikel Zijlaard in third, sealing a full Dutch podium in Lecce. While the result sparked celebrations, emotions differed among the top finishers—particularly for Visma | Lease a Bike’s Olav Kooij, who expressed disappointment over a disrupted lead-out, especially the absence of Wout van Aert in the finale.
Kooij was well-placed as the peloton entered the final kilometre, but with only Edoardo Affini by his side, he couldn’t hold position. “It was actually pretty technical, and we knew that,” the 23-year-old told Cycling Pro. Without a full lead-out train, the team’s organization faltered. “I think we had some trouble finding each other on the local circuit. I managed to move up a bit through the wheels, and we came together on the last lap. Edo brought me forward well, but maybe we lacked one more guy,” Kooij reflected.
Despite Affini’s efforts to guide him through the chaotic finale, Kooij was overwhelmed in the last 300 metres. “The speed dropped after the final real corner. I got boxed in and couldn’t find a clear line to sprint. By the time I did, it was too late,” he said. He’ll have another opportunity in Naples, where he claimed victory last year.
Visma DS Marc Reef: “Wout wanted to lead out, but it didn’t come together”
Team director Marc Reef supported Kooij after the stage, acknowledging that their plan fell apart in the finale. “We intended to contest the win,” Reef told Het Laatste Nieuws. “We were well placed before the finishing circuit, but lost formation once the lap began. It was chaotic, and many teams struggled to stay organized. Edo still got Olav into a solid position, but Olav mentioned he hesitated—and that brief moment made the difference.”
The strategy had been for Van Aert to lead Kooij out, but the Belgian star was unable to deliver. “Wout is a real team player. He wanted to do the final lead-out, but when it didn’t happen, you could see the frustration,” Reef noted. “He tried to move up but was blocked repeatedly. In a finale like this, there’s just no space to recover and deliver properly.”
Zijlaard Thrilled: “A dream result”
Just behind the front two, Maikel Zijlaard secured third place, capping a remarkable day for Dutch cycling. Riding for Tudor, he found himself in the right position but couldn’t come around Van Uden. “It was really hectic, as you said,” he commented post-race. “But the team did everything right. They kept me protected and calm, and in a messy finish like that, that means everything. I have to thank them. I’d have signed for third in a Giro stage any day,” grinned the nephew of Leontien Zijlaard-van Moorsel.
Zijlaard emphasized how crucial positioning was as the sprint unfolded. “That tight right-hander in the final kilometre made it a battle. Once through, it felt like a rollercoaster,” he said. “Picnic timed everything to perfection. They deserved the win—chapeau to them.” The all-Dutch podium was a rare feat; it’s the first such sweep in a Grand Tour since the 2002 Tour de France, when Karsten Kroon led Servais Knaven and Erik Dekker to the line. It marks just the fifth time in history that the Netherlands has swept a Grand Tour podium.
