Results Scheldeprijs 2026 | Tim Merlier completes hat-trick after late crashes strip back sprint field in Schoten

Tim Merlier powered to a third consecutive Scheldeprijs victory in 2026, producing a devastating sprint to win from a reduced peloton after a crash-disrupted finale in Schoten.

In a race that had long pointed towards a routine bunch finish, late incidents inside the final 10 kilometres reshaped the outcome, removing several contenders and leaving a smaller group to contest the sprint. Merlier, however, was perfectly positioned throughout and finished it off with authority to complete his hat-trick.

A six-rider breakaway featuring Robin Carpenter, Dorde Duric, Bram Dissel, Joost Nat, Jelle Harteel and Jonah Killy animated the early phase, but the peloton always kept the move within manageable limits.

With little wind to split the race, the sprinters’ teams dictated the tempo throughout, with Soudal - Quick-Step, Unibet Rose Rockets and Picnic PostNL controlling proceedings on the flat run from Terneuzen towards Schoten.

On the local circuit, the break was gradually reduced to a trio of Carpenter, Dissel and Killy, but their advantage never extended beyond half a minute in the closing laps. Their resistance finally ended just inside the final four kilometres, allowing the sprint teams to fully commit to the run-in.

The decisive phase of the race came in the final 10 kilometres, where a series of crashes fractured the peloton and eliminated key contenders.

Dylan Groenewegen and Phil Bauhaus were both taken out of contention in one incident, while Milan Fretin and Milan Menten were also delayed in a separate crash shortly afterwards. At the front, a reduced group pushed on, with Merlier, Jasper Philipsen, Jordi Meeus and Pavel Bittner all safely through the chaos and positioning for the sprint.

As the race entered the final kilometre, Alpecin briefly moved to the front to set up Philipsen, while Meeus was launched from slightly further back. Merlier, however, held his position in the wheels before unleashing a powerful sprint to surge clear and take the win in Schoten.

The Belgian’s victory secures a remarkable third straight Scheldeprijs triumph, underlining his dominance in one of the sport’s purest sprinters’ races.