Tim Merlier hopes time-trial crash doesn't take prevent him from tackling today's bunch sprint - "I still have some scratches"

Tim Merlier, away from the cameras, crashed in the time-trial of the Giro d'Italia that was tackled last week. Whilst not severe, he suffered injuries that have bothered him over the past few days, and he is hoping that these no longer hamper his chances of fighting for stage wins.

“I have not yet fully recovered from the fall. I still have some scratches. But it is a new day and perhaps a new opportunity for the sprinters," Merlier said at the start of today's stage. “I expect a tough start, but we will certainly aim for a sprint.”

Whilst having a hilly start, the finale of today's 11th stage is completely flat and one of the best opportunities for pure sprinters in the whole Giro. In Napoli it was evident that Merlier was struggling with his injuries as he was dropped early on and never got to contest the final sprint. He hopes to have better legs in a day that is rather familiar to him.

“It's a bit reminiscent of the stages in Tirreno-Adriatico that go along the coast. We have completed these types of stages before in this Giro. So we know what to expect,” he concluded. The Belgian can still count on the support of his leadout men Luke Lamperti and Bert van Lerberghe to guide him through the final meters of the stage.