Soudal - Quick-Step bet everything on Tim Merlier at Tour de Pologne

World Tour action continues with Tour de Pologne (August 12-18) starting on Monday. Three stages for sprinters, three hilly/mountain finishes and one time trial are what the riders will be dealing with this year. Soudal - Quick-Step won't be defending their double top-5 in GC from last year, throwing all their beans towards stage victories instead.

The most successful sprinter of the season, Tim Merlier will pin on a number for the first time since the Belgian Nationals where he arrived 6th. With twelve triumphs next to his name in 2024, there will be at least three more opportunities to secure his place on the sprinting throne, although it won't be a walk in the park against the likes of Mads Pedersen, Olav Kooij and Phil Bauhaus.

Traditionally, Merlier can count on a strong support from the Belgian team, who pretty much forfeit the GC battle in order to maximize their sprint train's power. This year's comet Paul Magnier and Merlier's good friend Bert Van Lerberghe will be responsible for delivering their leader in the best position possible on stages 4, 5 and 7. Completing the team will be rouleur Ayco Bastiaens and youngsters Pepijn Reinderink, Martin Svrcek and Warre Vangheluwe.

"We have a strong squad for Poland. It’s obvious we won’t be going for the GC, but for stage wins instead, and we are confident in our chances of getting at least a victory with Tim. He comes here from a nice altitude camp, where he was present with many of his teammates, and all the boys are motivated to get the maximum out of this race," said sports director Klaas Lodewyck ahead of the race in press release.

Tim Merlier
Ayco Bastiaens
Paul Magnier
Pepijn Reinderink
Martin Svrcek
Bert Van Lerberghe
Warre Vangheluwe