"It's a dream of mine to be at the start in Lille" - Could we see Tim Merlier take on Jasper Philipsen and Biniam Girmay at next year's Tour de France?

Tim Merlier, a former stage winner at the Tour de France, has expressed his desire to return to the cycling’s most famous race in 2025. The 32-year-old sprinter last competed in the Tour back in 2021, where he claimed victory on a stage but has not been included in Soudal – Quick-Step’s Tour squad since he joined the team. This year, the team focused its resources on supporting Remco Evenepoel’s mountain ambitions rather than including a sprinter, and that decision paid off as the 24 year old was on the podium.

Despite his absence from the Tour, 2024 has been a standout year for Merlier. He won three stages at the Giro d’Italia and claimed the European Championship road race title, and fans would love to see him go up against Biniam Girmay and Jasper Philipsen for the green jersey at next year’s Tour.

In a recent interview with Sporza, Merlier made no secret of his ambition to return to the Tour, particularly with the race starting in Lille in 2025. "It's a dream of mine to be at the start in Lille," he said. The opening stage offers a rare flat profile, providing sprinters with a golden opportunity to pull on the iconic yellow jersey. "I'll get a unique chance as a sprinter right away. It would be unique to be able to try that."

However, Merlier also acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding his place in the team’s plans. "Then my puzzle piece has to fit into the puzzle. But the Tour is still far away. Let's start with the other goals, such as the classics and the start of my season in the Middle East."

The team has faced a challenging week due to Remco Evenepoel’s crash whilst training, a negative ending to an otherwise brilliant year for the Belgian. Evenepoel collided with a van last week, putting his preparations for 2025 on hold.

"For that I went with him to our bicycle manufacturer Specialized in America," Merlier explained. "He was very motivated, but unfortunately an accident happened quickly."

The Belgian sprinter expressed his support for his teammate, saying, "I sent him a message and told him that I would have to walk without him in Spain. We normally do that together. I try to ease the pain with some humour.

"I think he will be back soon. The training camp in January should be feasible."