A frustrating second in Scherpenheuvel-Zichem for the Belgian after a tight finish.
Tim Merlier signed off his sixth podium of the season at the end of stage one, whose course featured some small hills and cobbles that added plenty of salt and pepper to the fight for victory. This course brought plenty of opportunities for the attackers, who tried seizing their chance which made things hectic and forced the peloton to chase hard.
Twice the peloton split and twice the race came back together, and in the last 20 kilometers one rider took advantage of this to open a solid gap on the rest. Soudal Quick-Step led the chase with the likes of Dylan van Baarle, and managed to overhaul him with 400 meters to go.
In the sprint, Tim Merlier showed again his remarkable speed, but just ran out of road as he came from behind and finished just meters centimeters from Biniam Girmay (NSN Cycling Team), who took the victory in Scherpenheuvel-Zichem.
Photo credit: ©Luc Claessen / Getty Images
