Tim Merlier's victory in Zonnebeke "give confidence for the road season"

The Belgian road champion Tim Merlier secured the win in the Exact Cross Zonnebeke, finishing ahead of Ryan Kamp and David van der Poel.

“Technically, it was certainly not good,” he told VTM after the race. He continues, “I was able to put my strength to good use on this tough course.”

He pulled ahead in the final lap after a fierce battle with Kamp and van der Poel. “I had to wait and see, but in the penultimate round everything suddenly went well. I pulled through at a time when the rest had attacked.”

He will start his road racing season next month at the Tour of Oman, and this win gives him confidence heading into his first race of the season. “If I had lost now, I would not have been in a bag in ashes. But conditionally you have to be in order to compete for victory in the cross. Even if the field of participants is smaller, like here. So it does give confidence for the road season,” concluded the Belgian rider.