"It will hurt when I see the sprints in the Tour de France" - Tim Merlier admits disappointment at lack of selection
Cycling
Few in the peloton can claim as many victories in 2024 so far as Soudal - Quick-Step sprinter Tim Merlier. Despite his continued good form throughout the campaign however, a Tour de France return will not be on the cards for the Belgian.
Although somewhat understandable, as Soudal - Quick-Step put all their eggs in Remco Evenepoel's basket at their star rider's Tour de France debut, Merlier admits the disappointment at missing out on selection for the fourth time in five Grand Tours, since signing for Patrick Lefevere's team from Alpecin-Deceuninck, does sting a little bit.
"I know I could have played a role. It will hurt when I see the sprints in the Tour," admits Merlier, winner of 12 races so far this year, including three stages of the 2024 Giro d'Italia at the opening Grand Tour of the season, in conversation with Sporza. With the sprinters being allowed, on paper at least, eight sprint opportunities at this Tour de France, Merlier won't be paying any attention to who excels in his absence. "I won't watch 8 times. But anyway, you can't keep performing. The belt is now off."
As mentioned, Merlier has 12 wins added to his palmares so far this season, something only Tadej Pogacar with 14 better. "My best one this season? Then I choose my first victory in the Giro this year," Merlier assesses of his triumphs. And as for his goals for the rest of the season? "If I had the choice, I would win the European championship in my own country. That would be great."
Representing Merlier at the 2024 Tour de France alongside Remco Evenepoel when the Grand Tour gets underway in a few days, will be Mikel Landa, Jan Hirt, Ilan Van Wilder, Louis Vervaeke, Casper Pedersen, Gianni Moscon and Yves Lampaert. A strong team with a sole focus of supporting their leader.
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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- many people advise him to grow slowly and rather do giro and/or vuelta instead of tdf. but i can totally understand that he is not satisfied with taking over once pogi declines, but instead beat him in his prime. so if he goes for tdf again, i‘m all for it. let‘s hope that pogi recovers soon!Ketterechts07-11-2026
- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
- Yeah man...PogiSloFans07-11-2026
- any rider less than 25 whether they are really ready for the position of leadership of GT is probably not the case. I think Pogi himself suffered when he was defeated by Jonas in the TDF twice. But that would be the team's job to ensure support so that they can bounce back. It requires a team and time to get back up and win after getting knocked down.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I'm very glad he got the big late Quickstep Vuelta win and I hope he has a few left for Euskaltel-Euskadi.flyer07-11-2026
- My memories of Ivan Basso aren't good but I liked his sister Elisa ok.flyer07-11-2026
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