Omloop van het Houtland 2025 Results | Tim Merlier dominates sprint for 15th win of the season

Tim Merlier claimed victory in the 78th edition of the Omloop van het Houtland, powering to a commanding sprint finish after a flawless setup from his Soudal - Quick-Step teammates in the decisive final kilometres. The Belgian delivered where it mattered, to take an impressive 15th win of the 2025 season.

The classic 198-kilometre race, stretching from Eernegem to Lichtervelde, began at a measured pace, with riders feeling each other out until the day’s first breakaway formed. Van de Wynkele, Van Hemelen, Bueno, Decottignies, and Gademan managed to gain nearly three minutes on the peloton, though Soudal Quick-Step kept the situation firmly under control, always riding with Merlier in mind.

As the riders entered the urban circuit with ten laps remaining, the gap began to shrink. With 96 kilometres to go, the peloton increased the tempo, reducing the lead to under two minutes. The work of the bigger teams, spearheaded by Soudal, gradually wore down the escapees, who were finally caught around 27 kilometres from the finish.

Tensions flared with a crash 48 kilometres from the line, involving Manlio Moro (Movistar), Alexis Renard, and Jippe Heremans, causing temporary splits in the main group. At the front, Vermeersch, Zabelinskiy, and Decottignies hung on for a while, but their break ultimately ended shortly afterwards.

In the closing 25 kilometres, Astana animated the race with multiple attacks, particularly from Yevgeniy Fedorov, who briefly held a 20-second advantage. Naberman, Bol, and Rasenberg also tried to escape, but a vigilant peloton kept all moves in check.

Cees Bol made the final bid for glory, launching an attack with five kilometres remaining and gaining a handful of seconds, only to be reeled in during the last kilometre. With the race set up for the sprinters, Soudal Quick-Step orchestrated the lead-out perfectly, allowing Merlier to unleash his power and take a deserved win in Lichtervelde. Max Kanter finished second, capping off a strong day for Astana.