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 occasions all through the previous 20 years. However after a disastrous marketing campaign at their dwelling races in 2024, a second-place end at Gent-Wevelgem was greater than they might 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 workforce 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 exhibiting simply why that was after he crashed closely within the Basic Brugge-De Panne simply 4 days prior and required stitching. His workforce had perception, nonetheless, and it paid off.
“After Wednesday, I mentioned to Iljo [Keisse, Soudal QuickStep DS], ‘I do not wish to begin immediately as a result of I by no means may be prepared’. However he left me on the listing and introduced me over right here. So in the long run, 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 arduous 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 rather a lot nevertheless it got here each time again collectively and in the long run, I received the dash.
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“I am actually pleased with my second place immediately.”
Merlier’s workforce confronted 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 in the long run after a disconcerted effort behind.
The Belgian sprinter and workforce workers revealed that this was merely right down to the legs not being there for Merlier, who needed extra of a lead-out in opposition to Milan reasonably than a better tempo after his earlier struggles.
“They requested me from the automobile 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 must be pleased with second place immediately.”
“After the Kemmel we decided to experience all collectively and second place was the very best place we may have immediately,” Soudal-QuickStep DS Wilfried Peeters instructed 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 attainable, however the very best rider received immediately.”
This consequence 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 yr.
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 consequence, particularly for the previous who received it thrice, considering realistically from the place they had been in 2024, QuickStep ought to and will solely be glad.
“This race was a aim for the workforce and earlier than, this workforce would have been perhaps disenchanted with second place, however immediately we may be comfortable,” mentioned Merlier.
“Now we have a second place and in the long run, I believe the very best consequence we may have performed,” agreed Peeters.
“Now we have second in Omloop, fourth in E3 and second right here. We could not have received however in the long run, for the Classics, we have not made unhealthy outcomes.”
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