After four stages dedicated to the general classification contenders, attackers and climbs, the Tour de France yesterday finally gave the sprinters their first real opportunity. On the finish line in Pau, everything was set for a showdown between the group's great sprinters, but the verdict was different from what many expected.

Olav Kooij emerged victorious, delivering a perfect sprint that earned him his first career success at the Grande Boucle. The Dutchman managed to beat two genuine specialists like Tim Merlier and Jasper Philipsen, securing a victory destined to remain among the most important moments of his career.

After safely navigating the first four days, characterized by a team time trial, climbs and constant changes of pace, the sprinters were eagerly awaiting the arrival in Pau.

For many it was the first concrete opportunity to raise their arms to the sky and among the most anticipated was Jasper Philipsen, who on the eve had spoken with confidence about the possibilities of Alpecin-Deceuninck, convinced he could once again count on the valuable work of Mathieu van der Poel.

"Normally we play with Mathieu van der Poel as our last man and that would be ideal. We have a very strong train".

The only doubt concerned the weather conditions and the heat that is putting riders to the test. "It remains to be seen how Mathieu will manage the heat, which is not exactly his best friend".

The plan didn't work and something went wrong during the race. Alpecin failed to build their usual perfect train and Philipsen found himself in difficulty at the decisive moment. The Belgian sprinter, appearing very exhausted after the finish, made no excuses.

"I was completely blocked. It wasn't a good sprint". A sentence that perfectly sums up a day well below expectations. "I didn't have the legs".

Philipsen recounted his sensations with great self-criticism. "Something didn't work in the sprint. The finish of the Tour's first real sprint was extremely hectic".

According to the Belgian, however, the main problem wasn't positioning. "The pace was really very high, but I simply didn't have the legs. So it's not a matter of sprinting".

The Alpecin-Premier Tech rider believes that the energy spent in the previous days may have taken its toll. "It was probably a consequence of the effort accumulated over the last stages and then the heat doesn't help in such efforts".

When asked if he had suffered particularly during the stage, Philipsen confirmed that he never managed to find his best sensations.

"Yes, it's possible. We'll need to analyze carefully what happened, but it certainly didn't go the way it should have".

Words that tell the whole disappointment of the Belgian, who arrived at the Tour with the objective of being the reference point for sprints.

While Philipsen was seeking explanations, Olav Kooij made no mistakes. The Dutchman interpreted the finale perfectly, choosing the right moment to launch his sprint and overtaking far more experienced rivals like Merlier and Philipsen himself.

A success that confirms the growth of the young sprinter, now increasingly competitive even on the biggest stage of world cycling.

Pau was only the first of numerous opportunities dedicated to the sprinters. Philipsen will certainly have other chances to redeem himself and prove his worth, while Kooij can face the next sprints with a completely different peace of mind, having already achieved the dream of winning a stage at the Tour de France.

The first round, however, rewarded the young Dutchman. And for the other sprinters the message is clear: this year, in the sprints of the Grande Boucle, beating Olav Kooij will be anything but simple.