PROFESSIONALS | 06/13/2024 | 5pm
by Danilo Viganò
After the hat-trick at the Giro d’Italia, Tim Merlier returns to victory on his home roads: the Soudal Quick Step sprinter won the second stage of the Tour of Belgium in the sprint. At the finish line of the 180.4 km Merelbeke – Knokke Heist, the Belgian won a royal sprint ahead of Jasper Philipsen and Olav Kooij. Norwegian Soren Waerenskjold retains the overall leader’s jersey.
Soudal Quick-Step controlled things from the start, keeping the first escapees under control and catching them again with 70 kilometers to go. The Belgian team continued to set a constant pace that prevented their opponents from attacking and ensured that the stage ended with a bunch sprint. which Merlier literally dominated.
«I am happy to have achieved my first victory at the Tour of Belgium. The finish was a bit like Nokere’s, so I was very confident in my chances, even though I’m not in top condition as this is my first race after the Giro d’Italia. I was relaxed in the sprint and this helped me tackle the sprint without any pressure. Beating so many fast men here is really nice, it’s a great boost for morale ahead of the National Championships next week,” said Tim after Soudal Quick-Step’s 21st success since the start of the year.
ORDER OF ARRIVAL
1. Merlier Tim Soudal Quick-Step in 03:59:22
2. Philipsen Jasper Alpecin-Deceuninck
3. Kooij Olav Team Visma | Lease a Bike
4. Barbier Pierre Philippe Wagner-Bazin
5. Taminiaux Lionel Lotto Dstny
6. Teunissen Mike Intermarché-Wanty
7. Wærenskjold Søren Uno-X Mobility
8. Theuns Edward Lidl-Trek
9. Thijssen Gerben Intermarché-Wanty
10. Kopecky Matyas Team Novo Nordisk
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