" I am a real competitive animal, I want to do everything" - European Champion Tim Merlier shares how he balances cyclocross with the road season

Tim Merlier, the 32-year-old sprinter from Soudal Quick-Step and a Tour de France stage winner, continues to set ambitious goals on the road in 2024, whilst competing in cyclocross this winter. Despite a desire to spend more time in the mud, Merlier acknowledges the demands of balancing cyclocross with a packed WorldTour schedule.

Explaining the trade-offs involved in his limited cyclocross participation, Merlier told Wielerflits, “I find that a bit of a shame. I am a real competitive animal, I want to do everything. But that is not possible either. With a view to the road program, it is important to maintain sufficient freshness. You should also not forget that my road season also starts earlier than some of the others who come to cross, then you have to make choices somewhere and go for a more limited cross winter.”

Still, Merlier believes his cyclocross stints bring benefits to his road racing, “It does help me. Really going deep the first time is something you can't simulate in training. I always benefit from that. That technique towards a mass sprint is also not unimportant. If you can go through the last two corners a bit faster than your competitors, you can easily make the difference. That's why it's important to go out into the field every winter.”

Looking ahead to the twilight of his career, Merlier hinted at a return to his roots, “I've even got it in my head to do a full cyclocross winter in the last years of my professional career. One with ambition and going for results. That way I could end my career where it started, with my first love."

Under the guidance of new coach Frederik Broche, Merlier's cyclocross plans received tentative support but faced logistical hurdles. Merlier shared, “He certainly had no problems with it. On the contrary, but because those discussions started a bit later, some preparation time was lost. I still wanted to race five races and make the Belgian Championship in Zolder a goal. There is a course there that might suit me. But that coincides with the team's second training camp and that's why I just put it out of my mind.”

Merlier is coming off a strong season in 2024, highlighted by 12 victories, including the European road title in his home country. Reflecting on the impact of that achievement, Merlier noted, “Last year I also won twelve times, but I have the feeling that my performances were viewed differently then than they are now. In September I won that European title. It was a championship in my own country, against the best sprinters. And that really stirred up a lot of people. I feel a lot of appreciation. It will be very difficult to do better in the coming season.”

As Merlier shifts focus to 2025, he plans to build on his momentum with a tailored programme. “I’ll start early in the AlUla Tour, just like last year. We can start a different kind of program with more training and less racing, as is popular these days. But training drives me crazy. I need a lot of racing to get better. The classics will be largely the same as last year and I also have a few goals to tick off in the grand tours.”