Soudal Quick-Step to Binche-Chimay-Binche

European Champion Tim Merlier headlines our squad for the first race of October.

Tim Merlier will bring his season to a conclusion this Tuesday, when he will lead the team at the 37th edition of Binche-Chimay-Binche, the 198.6km race held in Wallonia, over a course comprising small climbs but also cobblestone stretches that promise to make an impact on the way things will unfold.

The most successful sprinter of the year, with 16 victories to his name – including three Giro d’Italia stages and the European Championships – Merlier will come at the start having won three races in a row, all on home turf. The 31-year-old will be accompanied by Kasper Asgreen, Ayco Bastiaens, former Belgian Champion Yves Lampaert, Luke Lamperti, Pepijn Reinderink, who recently took home the KOM jersey at the Tour de Luxembourg, and trusted lead-out man Bert Van Lerberghe.

“We have a strong team for what will be a hard race. We should have bad weather – rain, wind and cold – which is quite normal for this time of the year. It’s going to be a very demanding day, not just because of the weather, but also due to the course. The entire race is challenging, including the laps around Binche, featuring narrow roads and some cobbles, but we are confident in our chances and hope to get a good result”, explained Soudal Quick-Step sports director Iljo Keisse.

Photo credit: ©Wout Beel