PAU — Olav Kooij claimed his first career Tour de France victory on Wednesday, winning a mass sprint on stage five into Pau to cap a breakthrough performance in his debut at the race.
The Decathlon rider prevailed over Max Kanter, who finished second, and Tim Merlier, who took third, completing the 158-kilometre route from Lannemezan. A crash roughly five kilometres from the finish fractured the peloton, but the leading group held together for the dash to the line, where Mads Pedersen finished seventh to defend the green points jersey.
Torstein Traeen retained the yellow jersey, leading Sean Quinn by 28 seconds and Mathias Vacek by three minutes and 50 seconds. Stage six departs Pau on Thursday for a 186-kilometre route to Gavarnie Gèdre.