"It was a bitter pill" - Blow for Tim Merlier as long-time coach departs Soudal - Quick-Step

Tim Merlier was one of the most successful sprinters in the peloton in 2024, proving himself once again and adding a total of 16 victories to his palmares. Ahead of the 2025 season though, the former Belgian national champion has been dealt a blow by the departure of his long-time coach.

Erwin Borgonjon has been a key part of the Merlier success for the past eleven years but in the 2025 season, the 44-year-old takes on a new challenge as he moves to the Tudor Pro Cycling Team instead. As Merlier admits himself, this news comes as a blow for the Soudal - Quick-Step sprinting star.

“When I heard the news, it was a bitter pill, I have to say. I had to keep the news to myself for a while and that was a difficult period," explains the 32-year-old in conversation with Het Nieuwsblad. "Because I didn't immediately have anyone in mind who could take over.”

"My confidence in Erwin was 100 percent, maybe even 110 percent. He has proven in recent years that he has mastered me completely," Merlier continues fondly. "He knew how I could stay on top of my game for a whole year and how I could win races. I will definitely miss him, but Erwin could not let that chance pass and I did not want to deprive him of that opportunity."

Although Merlier couldn't immediately think of a replacement for Borgonjon, Soudal - Quick-Step have found one in the form of Frederik Broché. “Fortunately, someone is joining the team that I feel comfortable with,” Merlier says of the former technical director of Belgian Cycling. “It is now up to the new coach to make sure that I can do just as well or hopefully even better. That will be difficult, but we will at least try,” concludes the former Giro d'Italia and Tour de France stage winner.