Tim Merlier between Alpecin and Quick-Step: "Nothing has been decided yet"

Tim Merlier has settled himself as one of the most successful sprinters in the peloton, and in the last few weeks talks about his future have emerged. Whilst he was crucial in the inevitable promotion to the World Tour of Alpecin-Fenix, other teams are also interested in him, Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team included.

In an interview with Wielerflits, Merlier recalled the crash that took him out of contention at Paris-Roubaix, but also the Giro d'Italia due to injuries in an elbow. "...I would have liked to finish Roubaix with a top ten, but that will be for next year. Now the focus is first on recovery. Once the elbow is completely healed, I won't be back in competition until now. I can now turn the switch and prepare for the Belgian championship. And possibly the Tour de France, if the team management selects me. A second Tour participation is not excluded, I was told about that," Merlier said.

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However, some focus has been put onto the rumours that Merlier is a topic of interest for Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team, which was confirmed by a recent interview where Patrick Lefevere said that "I would also very much like to have a Belgian sprinter in the ranks again. I know Tim Merlier will be free at the end of the season".

To that, Merlier responded: “That Lefevere is interested? I don't deny that. But in all sincerity, I've wanted to focus on the spring in the last few weeks and haven't been working on a new contract yet. I have every confidence that my management will now gradually start working on this. Is money the most important? I'm turning thirty, so the finances play a part. It would be stupid to lie about that. But the sport is more important to me.”

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He added some details on what he thinks regarding the contractual needs. “I hope to win a lot more and as far as my honors list is concerned, quality is now more important than quantity. I don't want to get the most out of financially to spend a few more years. Let that be clear," the former Belgian champion added.

"By the way, due to the corona crisis, this is only my second full-time road season. I feel like I can still make progress. Is there still a chance that I will stay with Alpecin-Fenix? Sure. As I said, nothing has been decided yet," Merlier conclded.