Dutch cyclist Olav Kooij wins stage five of the Tour de France in a chaotic sprint finish. Multiple riders go down in a crash shortly after the race passes the final stretch, with the incident occurring about five kilometres from the line according to one report. The fall triggers a scrambled sprint ending in a tight dash to the finish.
In the final sprint, Kooij takes first place in a bunch sprint, holding off rivals in a close finish. Reports name German rider Max Kanter and Belgian sprinter Tim Merlier among those contested for the result, with Kooij crossing first. Multiple outlets describe the conclusion as chaotic due to the crash and resulting disruption to the sprint formation.
The coverage is consistent across sources: Kooij is credited with the stage victory, the finish is determined by a group sprint, and the late crash plays a central role in shaping the ending of the day’s race.
