“It was not an easy victory” - Tim Merlier wins in Belgium and sets sights on yellow jersey in Lille

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.”