"It was an ideal situation" - Tim Merlier and Paul Magnier combine for perfect start to Renewi Tour 2025 for Soudal - Quick-Step

Tim Merlier delivered a textbook sprint victory on Stage 1 of the 2025 Renewi Tour, capping off a tactically astute day for Soudal - Quick-Step. With teammate Paul Magnier infiltrating the breakaway and Bert Van Lerberghe guiding him into the final, Merlier’s post-race words — “It was an ideal situation” — felt like the perfect summary of a well-orchestrated performance.

The opening stage in the Netherlands was anything but a standard calm day. A sizeable breakaway formed early and forced the peloton into a sustained chase. But unlike the chaos that often unfolds on such stages, Soudal – Quick-Step kept a cool head.

“Paul [Magnier] was up the road, which was perfect for us,” Merlier explained after the finish. “He was really strong, and he jumped across at exactly the right moment. It gave us a tactical advantage and took a lot of pressure off the rest of us.”

Magnier’s presence in the move meant the team could sit back while others were forced to work. For Merlier, it also meant conserving energy — a crucial detail with the Belgian sprinter still rebounding from a rare defeat at the National Gravel Championships just days prior. “I felt pretty good all day,” Merlier said. “I was confident, but with the way the race developed, it wasn’t certain we’d get a bunch sprint. Having Paul up there kept things in control.”

When the break was finally reeled in and the peloton began to organise for the sprint, Soudal – Quick-Step’s well-drilled lead-out train moved to the front. As ever, Bert Van Lerberghe played the decisive role, delivering Merlier into prime position in the final kilometre. “This time I really had the feeling we were exactly where we needed to be,” said Merlier. “We’ve had to come from further back before, but today we had the race under control from start to finish. The team did a fantastic job putting me where I needed to be.”

The win marks Merlier’s 63rd career victory — and while he played down any personal narrative, it clearly meant something after missing out on the national gravel title. “I said on Sunday that I wasn’t going to lose sleep over it,” Merlier said, referring to his loss at the Belgian Gravel Championships. “But I’m happy to show at World Tour level what I’m capable of. This is where it matters.”

With the opening stage now in the bag, Soudal – Quick-Step have put down a marker for the rest of the week. Magnier's strength, Van Lerberghe's timing, and Merlier’s finishing speed make for a potent trio in any stage race.