Our rider powered to the biggest success of his career after a thrilling finale.
Tim Merlier wrote history, becoming the first Belgian male rider to win European gold on the road, at the end of a frantic race that came down to a bunch sprint in Hasselt. It was the 14th victory of the season for Merlier – the most successful sprinter of the year – who will now get to wear the distinctive jersey over the next twelve months.
Running over a 222.9km course which featured some cobblestone stretches and small climbs, Sunday’s race around Limburg was one of the fastest in history at the European Championships, the winner clocking a 48.25km/h average speed. A wave of attacks that came right from the start tried to put pressure on the peloton and prevent the day from coming down to a bunch sprint, forcing the fast men’s teams to work hard in order to control the gap.
The race came back together, but only for a short moment, as more riders decided to attack and split the peloton, going all-in instead of waiting for a sprint finish. Behind, Belgium, Germany and Italy joined hands and drove the chase, overhauling this group inside 30 kilometers to go. On the last lap, Kasper Asgreen tried his chance and remained at the front until the closing six kilometers, but he too was caught by the chasers, who were led by Italy under the flamme rouge.
Bert Van Lerberghe did a stellar job for Tim Merlier, keeping his calm as things became hectic and navigating through the packed bunch with the latter glued to his wheel. It looked as if it was all over for Merlier, who faced a small chain problem with just 300 meters remaining, but the 31-year-old somehow managed to overcome this problem and launched a ferocious sprint on the outside, surging past all the other riders on his way to a historic triumph.
It’s unbelievable!
“When I had that chain problem, I thought it was over, but I continued, found a gap and came out of the peloton at the right moment. I asked to be in this race because I believed I could win it. I did it and I’m incredibly proud! Bert was amazing today, he brought me in a perfect position and I gave everything on the finishing straight. This title means a lot to me. After being Belgian Champion twice, it’s a dream come true to become European Champion now in my home country and in front of my family. I can’t wait to wear this beautiful jersey”, said an ecstatic Tim, the third rider in the history of Soudal Quick-Step – after Elia Viviani in 2019 and Fabio Jakobsen in 2022 – to become European Champion on the road.
Photo credit: ©Luc Claessen / Getty Images
