Tim Merlier might have racked up 16 dash wins in 2025, taking the title of Cyclingnews‘ high sprinter of the 12 months within the course of, however the Belgian has named an sudden end result as his better of the season simply gone.
The 33-year-old, who gained two phases of the Tour de France and Scheldeprijs final season, advised former racer Jan Bakelants that his second place at Traditional Gent-Wevelgem was his high results of the 12 months.
In a dialog for Het Laatste Nieuws, Merlier defined his alternative, noting that he was proud to be on the rostrum of a serious cobbled Traditional regardless of his repute as a pure sprinter.
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„I am going to select that second place, sure. That night, I went house feeling like I might gained the race. The identical adrenaline that programs via your physique in such a state of affairs, the identical glad hormone that manifests itself,“ Merlier stated.
„It was a reckoning with doubts that had lingered till then – whether or not Gent-Wevelgem was really for a pure sprinter like me in opposition to all these Classics specialists. Look, 4 days after my crash within the Traditional Brugge-De Panne, I truly thought-about withdrawing.
„OK, I wasn’t within the race all day, however when it mattered, I used to be there. That, within the presence of my household, was extremely rewarding. I am going to positively return there to win.“
Merlier’s end result, forward of Jonathan Milan and Biniam Girmay however 49 seconds down on solo winner Mads Pedersen, was considered one of 20 podium spots scored in the course of the 2025 season, an enormous proportion of which – 80 – had been wins.
In addition to two Tour wins, in Dunkerque and Châteauroux forward of Milan, Merlier additionally gained six different instances at WorldTour degree, taking two phases apiece on the UAE Tour, Paris-Good, and the Renewi Tour. He remained modest, nonetheless, saying that he is not labelling himself as the most effective sprinter on the earth.
„I am going to by no means say one thing like that about myself. Even in case you get that label of ‚quickest‘ or ‚finest‘. On the finish of January, the clocks all the time inevitably reset, and you must show your self once more. By extension, that additionally applies after each spring Traditional and the Tour.“
The Tour, hopefully, will determine in Merlier’s plans once more for 2026. He stated that the „broad define“ of his 2026 marketing campaign is not going to differ a lot from final season, though he is but to debate his objectives with Soudal-QuickStep directeur sportif Iljo Keisse.
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He stated that he sees „about six dash probabilities“ subsequent July, however famous that the race incorporates a „actually powerful“ parcours.
„There are about six dash probabilities on paper, however I am going to need to see if it truly turns into that many. Identical to this 12 months, we’re in for a very powerful version – particularly that closing week and that penultimate stage!“ Merlier stated.
„Is all that actually vital? They’re aiming for fewer sprints and extra spectacle in Grand Excursions, however the reality is that climbers and GC riders additionally get exhausted and want some restoration in that closing section. It does not all the time need to be tougher to be lovely, however then once more, who am I? I am not going to vary the race.“
Ought to he tackle the Tour, Merlier shall be hoping so as to add to his trio of stage wins on the 2021 and 2025 editions, extra Grand Tour phases so as to add to his tally of seven, with 4 extra coming throughout two editions of the Giro d’Italia.
He hasn’t but raced the Vuelta a España throughout his profession, however competing the ‚Grand Tour set‘ can be on his thoughts, even when combining two Grand Excursions in a single season is a difficult proposition, he stated.
„It is behind my thoughts. The one factor lacking is a Vuelta stage win,“ Merlier stated.
„Even there, the programs aren’t the best. There are few different sprinters, which makes it tougher to manage and due to this fact tougher to win. I have been asking to journey the Vuelta for just a few years now, however combining it with one other Grand Tour is not mentally possible for me. I’ve carried out it as soon as thus far, in 2021, and gained at each the Giro and Tour.“
