"I dropped that plan to maintain good order in the cyclocross world" - Tim Merlier explains why he is not racing World Cup races this winter
Cyclocross
Tim Merlier is a rider who has developed within the cyclocross world, but has in recent years made the switch to full time road racer where he has thrived and is currently the reigning European Champion. Still, every winter, the Soudal - Quick-Step returns to the field for some competition in the winter months but he is only taking part in two races soon. He wanted to be part of a World Cup race but explains that there was pressure for him not to do so.
In a column for Het Nieuwsblad, Bart Wellens commented on the possibility of Merlier coming into the discipline straight into one of the limited spots for Belgian riders at the Besançon World Cup: "How, I think, that's a world cup after all. You have to force your selection for that. He takes away the place of a real cyclocross rider and I think that's a shame".
"He must have needed inspiration to fill his column," Merlier joked in words to Het Laatste Nieuws. "I understand that the wealth of good cyclocross riders in Belgium is too great to just claim a place in a world cup, but I don't think I'm an average road racer who just wants to ride a cross. But in order not to push the issue too far, I didn't put myself forward as a candidate for Besançon anymore".
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With a limited amount of spots, there wouldn't be a way for Merlier to get selected and escape criticism from other quality riders (elite or under-23) that would be present in the French race. Personal relations with the national coach specially would've made it a very awkward position for most involved, and the sprinter explains that he ultimately did not apply to take part n the race.
"Initially I also wanted to ride the World Cup round in Besançon, but I dropped that plan to maintain good order in the cyclocross world. National coach De Clercq is one of my best mates and I don't want it on my conscience that he gets into trouble by giving me one of his wildcards. Apparently some team managers were up in arms because I would ride a world cup out of nowhere".
Merlier enters another year as a top road sprinter and soon he will race the Exact Cross Loenhout on the 27th December and Exact Cross Gullegem on the 4th January. "I have it in mind to end my professional career with a full cyclocross winter in the distant future," he admits. "To end my career where it started and thus complete the circle. Cyclocross remains my first love".
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A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
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Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
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- exactly, he had an amazing season, but with these overstatements they don‘t do him good.Ketterechts08-11-2026
- More to the point, it isn't his remaining goal.Renz08-11-2026
- lol yeahmij08-11-2026
- I know, their headlines can be so misleading. Pidcock had a great season with 5 wins. and some solid 2nds. no reason to take away from that with a fake headline.mij08-11-2026
- You can clearly see the the posture change from slightly sitting to again out of the saddle while changing of gears in the video of the sprintabstractengineer08-11-2026
- He has already beaten Pogi twice in the TDF. the achievement is over. He cannot beat Pogi now and he only has a few years left at the top. Win Giro and compete in the TDF, maximise palmares.abstractengineer08-11-2026
- Just looked again at the photo. Yeah I stand by that. If MS had fallen over in Brands direction I don’t even think she would have hit her. You must be a UCI race commissioner. I’ll be sure to check my sock height should I ever see you on a ride. Looks like everyone else on here sees what I see.mij08-11-2026
- I said looking at the photo it doesn’t appear she deviated. Chill out, not stating my word is the final judgement. Just commenting that based on the photo I don’t see it. And BTW the Dutch coach even said she didn’t impede her.mij08-11-2026
- Blah Blah Blah !frieders308-11-2026
- MS said she was changing gears so that caused her slight deviation. Nothing was intentional.frieders308-11-2026
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