"I lost some positions due to Arvid de Kleijn" - Disappointment for Tim Merlier in Tour de Pologne sprint

After winning on stage 1 at the 2023 Tour de Pologne, Tim Merlier would have expected better than the 7th-placed finish he was forced to settle for in the stage 4 bunch sprint.

“I just had to build in too much safety in the last corner. I also lost some positions due to Arvid de Kleijn who came under," laments the Soudal - Quick-Step former Belgian national champion post-stage to Wielerflits whilst showing off a flat tire. "Then there were gaps and then it was over.”

Jumbo-Visma's Olav Kooij was the man to eventually take the win from the bunch sprint with Merlier not really contesting for the victory down in seventh.

“Of course, I felt that puncture”, Merlier continued. “I couldn't go full throttle or I would fall. In other words, the speed was completely gone. For me it is now looking forward to the next sprint opportunity.”