Van Rysel designs an ultra-reflective helmet to locate Olav Kooij during a sprint

In a Tour de France where every detail can make a difference, VAN RYSEL has developed an exclusive helmet for Olav Kooij with an unusual goal: to help his teammates and sports directors locate him more quickly in the decisive moments of sprints.

VAN RYSEL designs a special helmet for Olav Kooij: a tactical aid to win the sprints of the Tour de France

The French brand has presented a special edition of its RCR helmets designed specifically for the Dutch sprinter of the Decathlon CMA CGM Team, one of the main protagonists of the mass finishes expected during the Grande Boucle 2026.

Kooij faces his debut in the Tour de France this July as one of the two main assets of the French team, alongside young Paul Seixas. The goal of the formation led by Luke Rowe is to seek stage victories in the sprint while trying to achieve a good overall classification with the promising French rider.

A helmet to stand out among 150 riders

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The main feature of this “Signature Edition” helmet is in its front part, where an ultra-reflective bright gray paint has been applied. At first glance, it may seem like an aesthetic detail, but behind it lies a completely strategic function.

In the final kilometers of a flat stage, when the peloton rolls at speeds exceeding 65 km/h and the lead-out teams try to place their sprinters in the ideal position, quickly identifying the leader can be complicated even for his own teammates.

The reflective surface allows riders like Daan Hoole or Cees Bol, responsible for accompanying Kooij in the final meters, to locate him more easily in the middle of the group.

“In a sprint, timing and position make the difference when it comes to winning. This helmet, with its unique design, gives me a lot of confidence, but above all, it allows Daan and Cees to locate me in the blink of an eye when the situation gets tense,” explained Olav Kooij.

Another tool for the team car

The utility of the helmet is not limited to the lead-out train. From the team car, it can also become a help to follow the sprinter's position within the peloton and transmit instructions more quickly.

“Analyzing the peloton from the car and informing the riders to regroup requires an immediate reading of the race. With a special paint, the goal is to locate Olav in a fraction of a second, even in the midst of 150 riders. It is a true tactical tool that we hope will give us an advantage,” pointed out Mark Renshaw, sports director of the Decathlon CMA CGM Team.

Three versions for every type of stage

The graphic identity developed for Kooij will be available in the three competition models of VAN RYSEL:

• RCR-F: model focused on aerodynamic performance for sprints
• RCR-R: more ventilated and versatile version for mountain stages and demanding days
• RCR-X: specific helmet for time trials

Beyond aerodynamics or ventilation, this special edition demonstrates how professional teams continue to explore new ways to gain small competitive advantages. In the case of Olav Kooij, the bet simply comes down to something as basic as being more visible when it comes time to contest victory.