Dutch sprinter Olav Kooij powered to victory in the opening stage of the 2025 Tour of Britain, holding off a late charge from Norway’s Tord Gudmestad.
The 23-year-old Team Visma–Lease a Bike rider edged Gudmestad after a head-to-head battle on the 167.6km route from Woodbridge to Southwold, claiming his fifth career stage win at the event since his debut in 2023.
“It’s always special to win here. I have good memories from two years ago, and I’m happy to keep that success going,” said Kooij after crossing the line.
France’s Hugo Hofstetter (Israel–Premier Tech) completed the podium in third, while Britain’s Samuel Watson (Ineos Grenadiers) was the top home finisher in sixth.
The result puts Kooij in the general classification lead, with Gudmestad in second and Hofstetter third. Britain’s Joshua Golliker sits fifth overall after an early diversion on the stage caused by a burst water main.
The race also marked the start of Geraint Thomas’ farewell tour. The 39-year-old Welshman, winner of the 2018 Tour de France, suffered a puncture but recovered to finish with the main peloton in what will be the final professional race of his 19-year career.
Stage two takes place on Wednesday, starting and finishing in Stowmarket, with the six-day race concluding in Thomas’ hometown of Cardiff on Sunday.
Stage 1 Result (Woodbridge → Southwold, 167.6km)
Olav Kooij (Ned/Team Visma–Lease a Bike) 3h 29m 01s
Tord Gudmestad (Nor/Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale) same time
Hugo Hofstetter (Fra/Israel–Premier Tech)
Tim Torn Teutenberg (Ger/Lidl-Trek)
Alberto Dainese (Ita/Tudor Pro Cycling)
Samuel Watson (GB/Ineos Grenadiers)
Tom Crabbe (Bel/Team Flanders–Baloise)
Alexander Kristoff (Nor/Uno-X Mobility)
Rory Townsend (Irl/Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team)
Jules Hesters (Bel/Team Flanders–Baloise)
General Classification after Stage 1
Olav Kooij (Ned/Team Visma–Lease a Bike) 3h 28m 51s
Tord Gudmestad (Nor/Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale) +4s
Hugo Hofstetter (Fra/Israel–Premier Tech) +6s
Milan Lanhove (Bel/Team Flanders–Baloise) +7s
Joshua Golliker (GB/Great Britain) +8s
Diego Uriarte (Spa/Equipo Kern Pharma) +9s
Tim Torn Teutenberg (Ger/Lidl-Trek) +10s
Alberto Dainese (Ita/Tudor Pro Cycling) same time
Samuel Watson (GB/Ineos Grenadiers)
Tom Crabbe (Bel/Team Flanders–Baloise)
