"You always want to win for the team as soon as possible": Tim Merlier happy about his debut with his new team Soudal-Quick-Step in Tour of Oman

Tim Merlier won the opening stage of Tour of Oman. The Belgian National Road Champion who is one of the new faces of Soudal Quick-Step for this season started with the right foot securing a sprint win. Merlier who recently become father dedicated this win to her son and wife.

"I am happy that I can already win so soon after his birth. You always want to win for the team as soon as possible. I had already won in the field, but now also on the road, and that is more important anyway. This is very significant for the team", he said in the post race conference.

Soudal-Quick-Step team did another good lead out work, out sprinting the sprint train of Astana Qazaqstan (Mark Cavendish team) within the last kilometre and launching Merlier for the win. The Belgian couldn't be happier with his new teammates.

"It was a slow stage, so everyone was fresh which made it difficult to maintain position. I briefly lost Bert Van Lerberghe before the last corner but quickly found him again. The latter signalled to Jordi Warlop who started the sprint. I started a bit too early, but luckily it was enough to win.", he concluded.