Tim Merlier (31) has won the Scheldeprijs. The fast man from Soudal Quick-Step proved to be the best in the sprint festival. Striking: thirteen kilometers from the finish, and therefore in the final, he still had to change bikes. Jasper Philipsen got trapped and finished second.
LOOK. Merlier: “I didn’t hesitate and just went for it”
The Scheldeprijs, the traditional sprint festival. Even if one fast man had to put an end to it quickly. Gerben Thijssen fell when the peloton ended up in a funnel. The Intermarché-Wanty outsider had ankle pain and was taken to hospital.
Even then there were five riders in the lead. During the passage through Zeeland – where the wind always plays a role – they were joined by a first fan of about fifty riders. Soudal Quick-Step (for Merlier) took the lead, Alpecin-Deceuninck (for defending champion Philipsen) was also well represented. Bora-Hansgrohe (for Welsford) and Lidl-Trek (for Theuns) had to chase. However, the intermezzo was all for naught. After the windy passage everything melted back together.
A new five isolated themselves. But Baptiste Planckaert, Liam Slock, Vincent Van Hemelen, Axel Huens and Stijn Appel actually knew that this was a mission impossible used to be. The sprinter teams had things under control at the local rounds in Schoten.
The peloton kept quiet for a while. Didn’t want to charge them too early. But eight kilometers from the finish, the song of a strong Slock, the last survivor, was over. Just before – at 13 kilometers from the finish – Merlier had had to change bikes. Not ideal, but all in all he came back between the following cars quite quickly.
So the expected bunch sprint. With a pretty strong tailwind. And the well-known nervousness.
With Merlier who attacked from far away. No one was able to reassemble it. Not even Philipsen. The winner of Milan-Sanremo and Classic Brugge-De Panne got trapped, only got out late and finished second.
READ ALSO.
Four in a row: Lorena Wiebes is again the best in the Scheldeprijs after a strong sprint
LOOK. Merlier wins the Scheldeprijs
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LOOK. Philipsen: “Another chance on Sunday”
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17:27
Tim Merlier wins the Scheldeprijs
Tim Merlier of Soudal Quick-Step easily wins the sprint. Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) was trapped for a long time, after which he finished second. Dylan Groenewegen (Team Jayco AlUla) completes the stage.
5:25 PM
2 KM: Alpecin-Deceuninck come to the fore
Philipsen is brought forward. Meanwhile, also a crash from the back of the peloton.
17:21
5 KM: Trains are formed
The situation is becoming more nervous in the peloton. The favorites have each got into their own train and the speed is increasing. Hopefully no falls.
17:17
8 KM: Liam Slock caught by peloton
While Tim Merlier has been brought forward by his teammates, Liam Slock is on the verge of breaking. He is captured by the platoon. We are on our way to an expected bunch sprint.
17:13
12 KM: Tim Merlier returns after bike change
Tim Merlier quickly returns to the peloton after a bike change. He is lucky that the final has yet to actually start.
17:09
15 KM TO GO: Only Liam Slock remains
Baptiste Planckaert (Intermarché-Wanty) has had enough. Liam Slock (Lotto-Dstny) now drives alone. It has 33″.
17:07
18 KM TO GO: Last lap begins
Within 18 KM we will know who will win the Scheldeprijs. It is almost certain that it will be a bunch sprint.
5:05 PM
18 KM TO GO: Favorites for the sprint
Merlier, Philipsen, De Kleijn, Groenewegen, Mozzato, Dupont, Groves, Hofstetter, Lamperti, Marit, Molano, Theuns, Van De Paar, Van Poppel, Van Uden, Welsford
4:55 PM
ANOTHER 25 KM: The lead of two escapees increases slightly
Peloton gives the two escapees some more time. Lead is 40″.
16:48
35 KM TO GO: At the start of the second local round, the lead for the escapees is still 30″
Two escapees remain: Baptiste Planckaert (Intermarché-Wanty) and Liam Slock (Lotto-Dstny). The Axel Huens has blown back to the peloton that follows at 30″. The two other escapees are still hanging in between.
16:41
Leading group at work
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16:34
42 KM: Peloton continues to nibble on lead
The peloton has now come within a minute of the five escapees. Everything seems to be possible to achieve a sprint.
16:23
50KM: Riders start the three local laps
The lead of the escapees is still 1’20”.
16:18
54 KM: Refugees lose a bit of their lead
The escapees’ lead has decreased to 1’30”.
16:07
63 KM: The escapees’ lead remains stable
The platoon checks the escapees. The lead remains at around two minutes.
15:48
ANOTHER 75 KM: Sprinter teams keep the escapees’ lead within limits
Soudal Quick-Step, Alpecin-Deceuninck and Bora-Hansgrohe take control of the peloton and keep the escapees ahead of up to two minutes.
15:29
STILL 97 KM: New leading group with five escapees gets 3’30”
A new leading group with five escapees has formed. Here are three Belgians: Baptiste Planckaert (Intermarché-Wanty), Liam Slock (Lotto-Dstny), Vincent Van Hemelen (Team Flanders-Baloise).
15:05
ANOTHER 113 KM: Peloton stays together
The peloton has been riding together for quite some time. There are no attempts to form a new flight.
14:59
Fourth time in a row for Lorena Wiebes
Among the women, top favorite Lorena Wiebes from SD Worx-Protime has won the Scheldeprijs among women for the fourth time in a row. She defeated Charlotte Kool (Team dsm-firmenich PostNL) and Martina Fidenza (CERATIZIT-WNT Pro Cycling Team).
14:54
ANOTHER 4 KM for the women: Peloton is getting closer
The peloton, led by Mischa Bredewold (SD Worx-Protime), comes back to within 20″ of the two escapees. It looks like the peloton will catch the two escapees. Will top favorite Lorena Wiebens win the sprint?
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Tags: entered hesitation Merlier beats Philipsen Scheldeprijs late bike change Cycling
