Tim Merlier sees his return postponed as Soudal - Quick-Step shifts focus to clearer summer targets

In February last year, Tim Merlier had already added four victories to his career, but in the 2026 season the 33-year-old Belgian rider has yet to pin on a race number and his return to competition could be postponed.

Merlier was scheduled to return to racing at Gent Wevelgem at the end of March, but the recovery from a knee issue led Soudal - Quick-Step to postpone his comeback so that he can feel 100% and reach peak form in the summer at the Tour de France.

It is a difficult decision for the Belgian, who finished second at In Flanders Fields in 2025 and had intended to return to the Flemish one-day Classics this spring, aiming to defend his titles at Scheldeprijs and the Brussels Cycling Classic.

"He had a good first week of training with three-hour rides. Until recently, the knee pain always started after half an hour in the saddle," said the team’s General Manager Jurgen Foré to Domestique.

Returning to training without pain is positive news, but with a knee injury it is crucial not to rush the recovery process, especially as Merlier has been off the bike for a considerable period.

"We have to understand that he was unable to train in December and January. He certainly needs to rebuild his base fitness over six to eight weeks," Foré said.

Foré was clear and ruled out a return to racing without a solid foundation. "I wouldn’t want to put him in a 260-kilometre race with such a thin base. I never say never, but I think it’s still unrealistic," he stressed.

Instead, the Belgian team prefers to take a long-term view, targeting the Grand Boucle. "I think with Tim Merlier, we would be better off aiming at long-term goals, more thinking about the Tour de France. Maybe that freshness could be beneficial for the Tour de France," he said.

Tim Merlier will therefore miss the Spring Classics, with Soudal - Quick-Step aiming for a fourth stage win at the Tour de France for their rider, who raised his arms twice last year, adding to the one he secured in 2021.