Ex-pro Sep Vanmarcke compares final approach of Belgian sprinters: "Philipsen lost his speed while Merlier was able to come out of slipstream with enormous power"

Those looking for Tim Merlier in run-in to the sprint of European Championships would be disappointed to not see the sprinter of Soudal - Quick-Step anywhere near the front. While his compatriot and co-leader Jasper Philipsen was actively trying to find his place next to Jonathan Milan's dark blue train, Merlier, unphased by the commotion, waited for the right moment to strike from the background. Belgian ex-pro Sep Vanmarcke was impressed by Merlier's tactical maturity as well as power.

"They both sprinted in a completely different way," Sep Vanmarcke analyzed for Sporza. "Merlier stayed in the bubble with Bert Van Lerberghe as long as possible. Philipsen was in the front right with Jordi Meeus and Jonas Rickaert, while the wind came from the right."

Philipsen's tactic was more than viable, but the Alpecin-Deceuninck rider underestimated the wind in final straight. "Then you are always sure that you will get there, but it does cost strength. You saw that the men who took the lead early lost their top speed. While Tim was able to come out of the slipstream from position 10 and thus gain a lot of speed."

Meanwhile Merlier, who patiently waited for Norwegian train to set up his sprint, blasted to gold from a far. Olav Kooij came close, but missed few meters to pass Merlier whose sprint run-up was still far from ideal. "And then he had chain problems 300 meters from the finish," Vanmarcke notes. "I saw him looking down and he lost some positions. Maybe he couldn't get his gun going.The speed at which he then came down was impressive. It was a very clean sprint, with enormous power. Very strong."

Is Merlier the fastest of the bunch? "All the sprinters are here. But if you look at Tim's season: this is his 14th victory, only Pogacar does better. He is there at every major sprint meeting. He is the deserved winner."