After going the entirety of 2023 without getting selected as part of a Soudal - Quick-Step, Grand Tour team, Tim Merlier is desperate to get the chance to prove himself in a three-week stage race next year.
With the Tour de France being the biggest cycling race on the planet, understandably, that would be the first choice for Merlier when it comes to which Grand Tour he's like to ride in 2024. Due to the widely expected Tour de France debut of Remco Evenepoel more than likely dominating the plans of Soudal - Quick-Step though, the chances of this aren't high.
“I read and heard that no sprinter should be allowed to participate and that hurt. I don't really agree with this decision,” Merlier expresses nevertheless in conversation with RTBF. “Especially because there is a difficult gravel stage on the program. Bert Van Lerberghe and I have all the qualities to protect Remco well and guide him in terms of positioning. Agreed, there are also other riders in the team who are capable of doing this work, but our leader does not only need climbers.”
“Watch how the Jumbo-Visma rouleurs lead the peloton with their train, up to the foot of each pass. I remain convinced that selecting me and Bert would be a good idea to help Remco win the Tour," the Belgian adds, pleading his case via the press.
And it's not just via the press that the 31-year-old, who won a Tour de France stage back in 2021 whilst riding for Alpecin-Fenix, intends to try and build up support for his Grand Tour push. “I want to go to the Tour. It is not my style to create a fuss, but I intend to have a good conversation with Patrick Lefevere," he reveals. "And perhaps also with Remco. I want to explain to them that it is possible to go to the Tour with a team that is focused on the general classification, but is also capable of winning bunch sprints.”
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