The European Champion will lead our seven-man team next week.
Tim Merlier is back at the start of the World Tour race where last year he wrote history by becoming the first rider to score three stage victories at a single edition, in addition to this string of successes taking home also the coveted points jersey.
The sprinters will get a total of four opportunities, and the European Champion will hope to be again in the mix for a stage win. Joining the 32-year-old – winner of two stages last month at the AlUla Tour – on the Soudal Quick-Step roster for the Middle Eastern race are Ayco Bastiaens, Josef Cerny, Pascal Eenkhoorn, Junior Lecerf, Casper Pedersen and his trusted lead-out man Bert Van Lerberghe.
Once again, Jebel Jais and Jebel Hafeet will be the two climbs that those going for the general classification will have to tame on their way to a good result, while the 12.2km individual time trial held on the Al Hudayriyat Island is expected to have a minor role in the final outcome. On the other hand, crosswinds could play an important part in the way the standings will look like at the end of the race, as has been the case several times in the past, including at the 2023 edition won by Remco Evenepoel.
“Many of the stages are similar to those of last year and with the team that we have we look forward to this race. We rely on a very strong lead-out train and a sprinter who is in good form as shown by his outing in Saudi Arabia, so we travel to the Emirates with plenty of confidence and motivation. For the general classification, we’ll see what Junior can do on the two summit finishes. It’s a race where we had many great results in the past and we will do our best to be again up there”, said Soudal Quick-Step sports director Geert Van Bondt.
Photo credit: ©Szymon Gruchalski / Getty Images
