Tim Merlier wins Classic de Brugge-De Panne

The final Belgian classics block has started today in Belgium with the Minerva Classic Brugge-De Panne and Alpecin-Fenix have gathered another important win as Tim Merlier was the fastest at the sprint finish in De Panne. 

Enrico Battaglin (Bardiani - CSF - Fainzanè), Dimitri Peyskens (Bingoal Pauwels Sauces - WB) and Jens Reynders (Sport Vlaanderen - Baloise) set off in the day's breakaway. The trio was reeled in with 31 kilometers to go as the peloton easily controlled the group, as a bunch sprint approached and was inevitable.

The peloton stretched out a few times, however the riders were at all times connected. The leadout for the finish was furious, despite a crash in the technical final kilometers which saw a bit of disruption to the pace.

Quick-Step led-out the final sprint however there wasn't enough power for the team to succeed, Tim Merlier launched his sprint and proved the fastest with an impressive win, beating Dylan Groenewegen and Nacer Bouhanni at the finish of a hotly contest finale.