Defending champion Tim Merlier leads the team on home soil.
Soudal Quick-Step will be present at the start of Scheldeprijs as the team that has scored the most wins this century at the oldest race in Flanders, having triumphed seven times with four different riders. Most recent of these victories came last year, when Tim Merlier showed again his incredible speed to defeat a crop of strong sprinters after one of the fastest editions in history.
The same Merlier, who will now wear the European Champion jersey that he won last September, is set to lead again our squad on Wednesday, when the peloton lines out in Terneuzen for the start of the 202.8km race. Joining Tim on the Soudal Quick-Step roster will be Ayco Bastiaens, Yves Lampaert, neo-pro Andrea Raccagni, Bert Van Lerberghe, Warre Vangheluwe and Jordi Warlop.
“It’s the World Championships for sprinters, as it’s known, and we are going there with a lot of motivation. We could have some echelons, which will make the bunch nervous, especially if these splits come right after the start. In Schoten, where the bunch arrives in the second part of the day, we’ll take on three laps featuring the cobblestones of Broekstraat. Our team starts with Tim as leader, and he will be supported by a strong team, capable of controlling the race and determined to give their best in the fight for victory”, said sports director Iljo Keisse.
Photo credit: ©Dario Belingheri / Getty Images
