Kampioenschap van Vlaanderen

Tim Merlier shines in first race as European Champion

Tim Merlier won the Kampioenschap van Vlaanderen for the first time in his career with a monster sprint in the final 200 meters of the race, one of the oldest in Belgium. It was a victory that came just five days after the 31-year-old became European Champion, cementing Merlier’s position as the best sprinter of the season, with 15 successes to his name.

The day was controlled by Soudal Quick-Step, who pulled hard the entire race behind the escapees, chewing into the gap of the small breakaway and keeping Tim in a good position the entire time. Inside the final ten kilometers, the race looked to be over for the Belgian, who got caught behind a crash near the front of the peloton – which in the meantime had reeled in the escapees – and had to overcome a 25-second deficit.

Thanks to an immense effort of Memorial Briek Schotte winner Warre Vangheluwe, Merlier erased the gap and made it back in the bunch, where Bert Van Lerberghe again did a great job, bringing his teammate to the front for the hectic final kilometer. Merlier patiently waited for the last 200 meters to unleash another powerful trademark sprint that propelled him to a clear victory in what is his best season to date.

“There’s always an extra pressure on you at the first race you do with a special jersey on your shoulders, but luckily, I managed to get the win just a couple of days after becoming European Champion, so all is good. The boys were again amazing today. It wasn’t easy, because I didn’t have the best feeling and I was also blocked behind that crash, but thanks to Warre I could make it back just in time for the sprint.”

“I tried to remain calm and just do my own sprint after Bert put me in a good position and I’m super happy now, especially as there were a lot of good sprinters at the start. The end of the season is just a couple of weeks away, but I am still motivated and ready to give my best, because each race is important and each win matters”, said Tim after his 49th pro victory.

Photo credit: ©Luc Claessen / Getty Images