"There will be Grand Tours again next year" - Tim Merlier relaxed about future Grand Tour chances at Soudal - Quick-Step

Despite being widely considered as one of the elite sprinters in the peloton, Tim Merlier was denied the chance to participate at a Grand Tour during the 2023 season as Soudal - Quick-Step elected to divert their attentions elsewhere.

"Yes, but that is the case now. There will be big rounds again next year, right," the Belgian optimistically tells Wielerflits, looking ahead to next season. "In the Vuelta the year before I had one bad day. Other than that I never got into any trouble. Everyone experiences something like that during a Grand Tours.”

At the Tour de France last year, Fabio Jakobsen was elected as the team's sprinter. With his departure though, Merlier is now the standout name for Soudal - Quick-Step in that regard, although Remco Evenepoel's Tour participation means a Tour de France spot remains unlikely for Merlier.

“I have never had any problems with Fabio, and in fact I prefer to have a fellow sprinter next to me to challenge me. I would have liked to keep Fabio in the team, but the team also has to meet all the budgets. Of course, that competition sometimes led to awkward situations if you missed out on selections, but I can then get over that and look for other goals. For next year I will be the only top sprinter in the team and it will be extra important that I compete in those races," says Merlier. "If you ask me the question: do you want to go to the Tour? Of course I would say yes wholeheartedly."