"He's like Wout van Aert... I think he's even a lot faster than Wout" - Tim Merlier's big praise for Quick-Step wonderkid who's set for Grand Tour debut at Giro d'Italia

Tim Merlier looks set for a big season in 2025 after Soudal - Quick-Step confirmed the Belgian sprinter is set to share team leadership at the 2025 Tour de France alongside Remco Evenepoel. According to Merlier himself though, a Soudal - Quick-Step wonderkid who's set to make a Grand Tour debut at the coming Giro d'Italia could be the rider to watch.

The rider in question, is 20-year-old Frenchman Paul Magnier, who in his debut season at World Tour level in 2024, added five victories to his palmares, including a stage of the Tour of Oman, three stages of the Tour of Britain and victory at Spanish one-day race Trofeo Ses Salines-Felanitx. "For me, he's a type like Wout van Aert," Merlier praises warmly to Sporza. "A classic rider who's super fast. I think he's even a lot faster than Wout."

As mentioned, Magnier is set to make a Grand Tour debut in 2025 as part of Soudal - Quick-Step's lineup for the Giro d'Italia, aiming for sprint victories and riding in support of Mikel Landa's quest for the Maglia Rosa in Italy.

For Merlier too, Grand Tour stage victories will be a target in 2025 at the aforementioned Tour de France. "I feel very good here and the trust is mutual," says the European champion, who recently secured a long-term contract extension. "I already said last year that it was possible to go there (the Tour de France) together. We are trying to do that this year and we want to show the outside world that it is possible. I am convinced of that myself. The classification men are still at the front until the final. If I can join my wagon with Bert van Lerberghe and then do my thing, then something is possible. A full train is not necessary for us."