Soudal Quick-Step’s sprinter wasn’t far from the win on the 195.3km stage four.
In the first bunch sprint he took part in since June, Tim Merlier showed encouraging signs for the next flat stages of the race, finishing a solid fifth in Prudnik despite being boxed in several times in the last 500 meters.
The two-time Belgian Champion, victorious in a dozen races since the start of the season, relied on a strong Soudal Quick-Step team to control things and deploy him in a good position going under the flamme rouge Thursday afternoon and proved that he had the legs to fight for another win, but luck wasn’t on his side. After eventually finding some space on the right side of the road, Tim put his fantastic sprint on display and eventually concluded just a wheel behind Olav Kooij (Visma-Lease a Bike), who took the victory.
There will be another chance for Tim on Friday, when another flat stage – this time starting and finishing in Katowice – awaits the peloton at this 27th World Tour stop of the season.
Photo credit: ©Dario Belingheri / Getty Images
Tim Merlier 
