Soudal Quick-Step celebrates its seventh victory of the month.
Tim Merlier became the first Belgian in more than two decades to take consecutive victories at Omloop van het Houtland, which ran its 79th edition this Wednesday. It was a success that came just five days after his triumph in Koolskamp, confirming the excellent shape the 33-year-old is enjoying in these final weeks of the season.
The red-hot favorite of this 189.6km race, Tim Merlier could rely on the support of an excellent Soudal Quick-Step team, who hit the front of the bunch right after exiting the neutral zone and remained prominent there until the closing meters of the day. Bert Van Lerberghe was again on duty as things heated up in the finale, bringing Merlier near the head of the peloton. From there, the two-time Belgian Champion found the perfect line and moment to start his sprint and sign off the squad’s 27th success since the start of the year.
I’m really happy to take another victory here, despite the chaotic finale.
“Because of that tricky chicane, I let go of Bert and some riders passed me, while I ended up positioned a bit too far. Eventually, luck was on my side, as I could find a small gap on the right, which was enough to win. It was a strong and impressive teamwork today and we can be happy and proud of this performance. It’s not easy to take a victory so late in the season, but we pulled it off today and that’s all that counts”, Tim said after his 44th win in the Soudal Quick-Step jersey.
Photo credit: ©Luc Claessen / Getty Images
