The
Brussels Cycling Classic is one of the most important races of the year for the sprinters and every year it delivers top winners - with the Tour de France closeby. Today, it was Soudal - Quick-Step's
Tim Merlier who sprinted to victory, but a hard earned one.
The race saw quite a lot of attacks, including from defending champion Jonas Abrahamsen who headlined a particularly dangerous move together with Edward Planckaert and Tim van Dijke.
Ultimately the race did come down to a sprint where, relatively comfortably, Merlier was able to beat
Alexis Renard and the returning
Arnaud de Lie to the podium.