Tim Merlier (Alpecin-Fenix) has become Belgian cycling champion for the second time in his career. After an at times confused BK we got the expected bunch sprint. In this, Merlier narrowly beat Jordi Meeus and teammate Jasper Philipsen.
The BC in a nutshell:
- Winner of the day: Tim Merlier gets his gram. Alpecin-Fenix wanted to outplay Jasper Philipsen as leader, but the scenario turned in favor of their other sprinter. Merlier can now drive around in the beautiful tricolor jersey for a whole year.
- Unlucky bird of the day: Jasper Philipsen drove attentively at the outposts for a whole day. A fall and a flat tire meant that he had to waste a lot of energy. In the sprint he came no further than third place.
- Revelation of the day: Sep Vanmarcke proved, after all the bad luck of the spring, that he is not worn out yet. The experienced flandrien rode a strong and attractive course. That promises for the fall.
Race from start to finish
The Belgian championship in Middelkerke has become one to lick your thumbs and fingers. From the first to the last kilometer there was a lot of driving, scenarios changed a lot.
A leading group of 14 riders broke away early in the race. In addition, some interesting names such as Oliver Naesen, Brent Van Moer and Gianni Vermeersch.
Two passages through the Moeren caused war in the peloton. About forty riders broke away from the rest. Remco Evenepoel missed the selection.
After a merger between the first peloton and the escapees, a new, chaotic race phase emerged. Jasper Philipsen and Tim Merlier, among others, crashed to the ground, luckily without any problems.
Evenepoel tries, but there is still a sprint
Sep Vanmarcke showed great activity and eventually created a new leading group. Top favorite Philipsen was attentive.
Due to a new merger behind the leading group, the other sprinter teams were still able to organize themselves. Philipsen fell back due to a flat tire. Lotto Soudal and Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl brought it all back together.
Only Sep Vanmarcke and Jasper Stuyven remained. Evenepoel – who suddenly came back on course – was able to make the jump, but did not release Stuyven and Vanmarcke. The platoon returned.
In a chaotic final, the sprinters still got their chance. Sport Vlaanderen attracted Sasha Weemaes. The Sprint of Dying Swans turned into a thriller. They crossed the line with five in a row.
In the end it was Tim Merlier who threw his wheel across the finish line a little earlier than Jordi Meeus. Merlier – who is not going to the Tour – thus wins the second tricolore jersey in his career.
Reactions from the second and third:
- Jordi Meeus (2nd): “I was actually surprised that we came back. In the sprint I had to find my own way. I was in the wheel of Philipsen, but when he started I noticed that there was not much left. I eventually went Arrived just a little too late and was a few centimeters short.”
- Jasper Philipsen (3rd): “It looked good for a while, but the pace was sometimes not high enough with us in the leading group. When I had a puncture, I should have gambled a bit more and waited for the peloton. That’s my best lost legs.”
Jasper Philipsen (3rd) and brand new champion Tim Merlier with Maarten Vangramberen:
Jordi Meeus (2nd): “I started just a little too late”
Taste maker Sep Vanmarcke: “Disadvantage for Stuyven and me that the race did not exceed 250 kilometers”
Jasper Stuyven: “I raced how I should race”
Remco Evenepoel: “It was ten meters apart, Vanmarcke just had some power in his legs”
Stuyven and Vanmarcke have to rake to keep up with Evenepoel
Punishment! Evenepoel pops to the front runners
