Renewi Tour is almost a home race for the Belgian WorldTour team Soudal - Quick-Step. Remco Evenepoel has almost single-handedly saved the Wolfpack's season at the Olympic Games, but a handful of victories at the Belgian/Dutch stage race would definitely be welcome.
Concerning sprints, Quick-Step has a perfect man up for the task. Organizers prepared at least two, if not three, sprint opportunities and Tim Merlier, unlike many of his colleagues, lived up to his reputation this year, winning 13 times so far in 2024, including three Giro stages. He'll have the support of his right-hand man Bert Van Lerberghe and rouleurs Josef Cerny (also deserves a spot on the long list of favourites for the time trial) and Warre Vangheluwe.
Normally we would expect Yves Lampaert to take on the general classification for which the day two time trial should prove vital. However Soudal - Quick-Step rather surprised in their statement, hinting that their hopes regarding GC focus on Ilan Van Wilder, taking into account the difficult last stage with multiple cobbled climbs standing in riders' way.
"Our main goal for the Renewi Tour will be to take a stage victory with Tim. He has been one of the most impressive riders of the season, is in good form and has a strong team that can help him in the sprints. Concerning the general classification, we’re curious to see what Ilan – who is doing this race for the first time in his career – can do. The 15.4km ITT and the hard stage finishing on the slopes of the Muur will be decisive for the standings and we are looking forward to finding out where he will end up on Sunday," explained sports director Tom Steels.
Soudal - Quick-Step lineup for Renewi Tour 2024:
Ayco Bastianes
Josef Cerny
Yves Lampaert
Tim Melier
Bert Van Lerberghe
Ilan Van Wilder
Warre Vangheluwe
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