Tim Merlier might just be the fastest sprinter in the world
right now. The Soudal – Quick-Step rider powered to victory on the final stage
of the
Baloise Belgium Tour, overcoming late drama in the sprint and confirming
his form just in time for the
Tour de France.
“It was not an easy victory,” Merlier told WielerFlits.
“Bert got a flat tire,” he said, referring to his usual lead-out man. “Then I
knew I had to do a maneuver myself to move up at the end of that bridge. Then I
went to Dries. He wanted to send out a bit faster at first, but I wouldn’t let
him, so he still had to make a little effort. He put me in a good position in
the last five hundred meters. I knew it would be possible if I was in the top
three. And that was the case.”
Merlier’s ability to adapt mid sprint and still win only
adds to the sense that he is entering the Tour in dangerous form. The Belgian
will head to the race for just the second time in his career, and with Stage 1
in Lille offering a rare chance for a sprinter to take the yellow jersey,
Merlier is already being seen as a serious contender.
He’ll face fierce competition from Jasper Philipsen, Biniam
Girmay and Jonathan Milan, but if we are to go by 2025 form so far, Merlier is
the man to beat.
Merlier is cautious about overhyping expectations but sounds
quietly confident. “And then I was also boxed in in the second stage, so yes,
the scenario is the same as last year,” he said, referencing his frustrating
2024 Tour campaign. This time around, however, he feels better prepared. “I was
certainly not too fresh. But last year I came out of the Giro with some
fatigue. Now I am a bit fresher, but certainly not too fresh.”