"The level is high, but that's how I like it" - Tim Merlier anticipating fierce bunch sprint battles during Giro d'Italia

After completely missing out on selection for any of the Grand Tours in 2023, Soudal - Quick-Step's Tim Merlier returns to three-week stage race action in the coming weeks at the Giro d'Italia.

"My form is good, I think," assesses the 31-year-old Belgian, who has seven wins already under his belt so far this year, including his now traditional success at Nokere Koerse and most recently at Scheldeprijs. "My spring was good and then I went on an internship with my family. My feeling is that everything is going well, hopefully that will be confirmed."

A stage winner in his only previous Giro d'Italia appearance back in 2021, Merlier is excited to return to Italy, with dreams of stage wins and the Maglia Ciclamino. "How many sprint opportunities are there? Oh well, I still have to look at that. There are some opportunities and there are also days where I will have to survive," he previews. "With the exception of a few men, every sprinter is present here. The level is high, but that's how I like it. Look at the latest UAE Tour (where Merlier won 3 stages ed.). Then there is a little more organization and the peloton wants to sprint more than usual."

On the fight for the points classification however, Merlier is a little more reserved. "Of course you dream about that, but you first have to take a victory and then you have to think about a second one. Only after a third stage victory can you start dreaming, I think," he concludes. "Do I eagerly look forward to the Giro every year? No, a Grand Tour is not my favourite terrain. But it is important to show yourself as a sprinter. And if you want the points jersey, you have to get to Rome."