Soudal-QuickStep had been as soon as the dominant pressure within the Spring Classics, monstering opposition with a number of leaders like Tom Boonen, Niki Terpstra and Philippe Gilbert at instances all through the previous twenty years. However after a disastrous marketing campaign at their dwelling races in 2024, a second-place end at Gent-Wevelgem was greater than they may have hoped for.
It got here via star sprinter Tim Merlier on Sunday after a day of complete struggling, as he outsprinted Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) to the road in Wevelgem, denying the American crew a 1-2 end alongside solo winner Mads Pedersen.
Merlier wasn’t even meant to begin the brutal 250km one-day Basic, his bandaged proper knee displaying simply why that was after he crashed closely within the Basic Brugge-De Panne simply 4 days prior and required stitching. His crew had perception, nonetheless, and it paid off.
“After Wednesday, I mentioned to Iljo [Keisse, Soudal QuickStep DS], ‘I do not need to begin at the moment as a result of I by no means will be prepared’. However he left me on the record and introduced me over right here. So ultimately, I have to say thanks to Iljo,” mentioned Merlier in his flash interview.
With motion opening up in early crosswinds via De Moeren, Merlier discovered himself chasing exhausting with teammates Yves Lampaert and Louis Vervaeke bailing him out first earlier than he needed to take issues into his personal legs.
“It did not harm within the race however the feeling was not that good. After the echelons, I closed the hole alone – I believe I killed myself there a bit,” admitted Merlier within the combined zone to reporters.
“The primary time up the Kemmel was actually, actually unhealthy, however after the primary Plugstreet we got here again and I say to myself ‘Now I do my all’. I used to be struggling so much but it surely got here each time again collectively and ultimately, I gained the dash.
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“I am actually proud of my second place at the moment.”
Merlier’s crew faced some criticism post-race from Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck), who thought that the likes of QuickStep ought to have contributed extra in chasing down solo winner Pedersen, who solely completed 49 seconds forward ultimately after a disconcerted effort behind.
The Belgian sprinter and crew employees revealed that this was merely right down to the legs not being there for Merlier, who needed extra of a lead-out towards Milan moderately than a better tempo after his earlier struggles.
“They requested me from the automotive what the sensation was and I mentioned ‘The legs weren’t that good anymore’, so we had been all on the restrict,” mentioned Merlier.
“It was fairly clear, then they requested how I needed to do [the finale] and if I needed to place Paul [Magnier] within the entrance, however I requested to have Bert [Van Lerberghe] and Paul within the lead-out and we simply have to be proud of second place at the moment.”
“After the Kemmel we decided to experience all collectively and second place was one of the best place we may have at the moment,” Soudal-QuickStep DS Wilfried Peeters informed Cyclingnews.
“When the Kemmelberg comes 30k from the end line, it is too shut for closing down that assault. Round 2 minutes was an excessive amount of, certain with the wind from behind then perhaps it is potential, however one of the best rider gained at the moment.”
This outcome from Merlier follows on from successes at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and the E3 Saxo Basic for the once-dominant Belgian cobbled squad, who’re rebuilding after a disastrous marketing campaign of their dwelling races final 12 months.
Though the times of Boonen, Terpstra or Gilbert tearing issues up within the iconic blue and white jerseys, when a second place at Wevelgem would have been a poor outcome, particularly for the previous who gained it thrice, considering realistically from the place they had been in 2024, QuickStep ought to and will solely be happy.
“This race was a purpose for the crew and earlier than, this crew would have been perhaps dissatisfied with second place, however at the moment we will be completely happy,” mentioned Merlier.
“We’ve a second place and ultimately, I believe one of the best outcome we may have carried out,” agreed Peeters.
“We’ve second in Omloop, fourth in E3 and second right here. We could not have gained however ultimately, for the Classics, we have not made unhealthy outcomes.”
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