"Merlier is a top rider, so there's no shame in that" - Jordi Meeus on near-victory at Belgian nationals

The Belgian national championship was held on Sunday where Tim Merlier won the gold, Jordi Meeus secured the silver and Jasper Philipsen was able to secure bronze.

"I thought at a few laps from the end that the race was over, But then Lotto Soudal and Bingoal-Pauwels Sauces put themselves at the head of the bunch and that still led to a bunch sprint," Meeus described. After showing the form in the Critérium du Dauphiné, he had his eyes set on the nationals where the flat profile favoured the pure sprinters such as him.

"Maybe I rode the fastest sprint of everyone, but that doesn't mean you win. But maybe a little too far. Then I noticed that I could go faster. But in the end, I came a few centimeters too short to keep Merlier from winning. Merlier is a top rider, so there's no shame in that. But it does feel bad. Becoming a champion would have meant a world of difference for me. Who wouldn't want to ride around in this shirt for a year," he added.

BORA - Hansgrohe has yet to announce its Tour de France squad, and Jordi believes he has a chance to make the cut. "I'm at the level and feel ready for it. But I don't expect to be selected, although there is still a small chance," he admits. "After a difficult spring, I feel a lot better since the Dauphiné. That's also why these national championships became the main goal," Meeus concluded.