Tim Merlier and Kasper Asgreen will lead strong Soudal - Quick-Step lineup at 4 Jours de Dunkerque

Soudal Quick-Step has announced the selection for the Four Days of Dunkirk (May 16-21), which currently lasts six days. The World Tour team is aiming for sprint success with Tim Merlier and hopes to win in the more difficult stages with Kasper Asgreen, among others.

Asgreen was last in action during Paris-Roubaix, where he had to give up after a heavy fall. Roubaix was also the last big race for Merlier. The Belgian champion won Leiedal Koerse Criterium at the end of April. Earlier in 2023, Merlier won a stage in the Tour of Oman, two stages in the UAE Tour, a stage in Paris-Nice and Danilith Nokere Koerse.

Jannik Steimle, Bert Van Lerberghe, Stan Van Tricht, Ethan Vernon and Lars Craps will also compete in the 4 Jours de Dunkerque. This year's stage race consists of four flat stages, an individual time trial and a hilly stage. “For the sprints we have Tim, who can count on Bert and Ethan, while in the more difficult stages we can try something with Kasper and Stan, maybe even Jannik,” says sports director Tom Steels.

“Lars Craps normally rides for the training crew. It's always nice to have a young rider with us. It is an opportunity for us to get to know them better, while they gain valuable experience racing with WorldTour riders.”

Tim Merlier, Kasper Asgreen, Jannik Steimle, Lars Craps, Stan Van Tricht, Bert Van Lerberghe and Ethan Vernon