After lacking out on a Grand Tour look in 2023, Tim Merlier (Soudal-QuickStep) might be again at one of many large three-week races in May for his second Giro d’Italia.
The Belgian’s place on the Giro roster was reportedly confirmed by group boss Patrick Lefevere to Sporza earlier at this time.
Merlier is likely one of the winningest riders up to now in 2024, equal to Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) and Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) after his early-season success of seven victories throughout the AlUla Tour, UAE Tour and Belgian one-day races.
The sprinter was the only saving grace for Soudal-QuickStep in Belgium throughout current weeks as their struggles continued on the cobbled Classics. Wins at Nokere Koerse and Scheldeprijs had been backed up by second at Classic Brugge de Panne and eighth at gent-Wevelgem, however a crash and DNF at Paris-Roubaix ended his Spring on a bitter observe.
Merlier is ready to be joined in the beginning of the Giro in Venaria Reale by two-time world champion Julian Alaphilippe, who will make his debut on the Italian Grand Tour. A robust dash prepare will be anticipated alongside the star pairing with as much as eight potential dash alternatives on the menu in May.
He’ll make up a part of a stacked sprinting lineup which is scheduled to incorporate Olav Kooij (Visma-Lease a Bike), Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek), Gerben Thijssen (Intermarché-Wanty), Fabio Jakobsen (DSM-Firmenich PostNL), Sam Welsford (Bora-Hansgrohe), Caleb Ewan (Jayco AlUla) and Kaden Groves (Alpecin-Deceuninck).
History is on Merlier’s facet in Italy having gained a stage on debut on the race in 2021. It was on the primary street stage of the race and was the Belgian’s first-ever dash alternative at a Grand Tour.
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He deserted the race after stage 10 with fatigue however went on to make his Tour de France debut later that season the place he took a stage win on the third day. Merlier additionally deserted the Tour that season after getting left behind on the street after 9 powerful days of racing.
Merlier hasn’t raced a Grand Tour because the Vuelta in 2022, some 18 months in the past, however he’s a way more full rider now and is raring to show himself on the greatest levels races.
The Belgian turns into much more essential for Soudal-QuickStep with Remco Evenepoel’s current accidents. With the GC star out with a damaged collarbone and scapula, it leaves solely Merlier and Paul Magnier as obtainable riders who’ve taken a win for the Belgian squad in 2024.