Tim Merlier can thank former national coach for his European title after a lightning-fast wheel change: "That was indeed a tense moment"

Tim Merlier owes his European title just as much to his lightning-fast sprinter's legs as his guardian angel - the former national coach Carlo Bomans whose lightning-fast reaction and wheel change, allowed Merlier to stay in the mix for victory after a puncture at a critical point halfway through the race.

"That was indeed a tense moment," confirms the former national coach to Het Nieuwsblad.

"Friday and Saturday I was at the same spot in Heks," Bomans continues. "I combined the cobbles of Manshoven with the foot of the Zammelenberg and then I continued to the height of Kerniel, not an official slope in the road book, but perhaps the most difficult part of the Limburg loop. On Sunday I only kept to one location - because of the crowds. Because I feared that otherwise I would not be back at that crucial point in time. That turned out to be the right choice."

Current national coach Sven Vanthourenhout must have been relieved when his two-sprinters tactic didn't fall apart thanks to his predecessor who was ready with a spare wheel for sprint ace Merlier when the race entered Heks.

"The race was about to explode at that moment, but from the peloton I was shouted at by a few compatriots that Tim had a flat tire. As a result, the wheel change went quite smoothly. I had a wrench with me and changed the wheel in no time. But when I wanted to re-tighten the new wheel, the mechanic was already there to drill the axle. Which allowed us to gain a few seconds."

The action was so fast that Merlier did not even know who was his savior: "I read it too," Bomans laughs. "But he was already aware on Sunday evening. I did receive a thank you from him before the toast with a glass of champagne. And from the national coach too, by the way," he concludes.