The classic spring of Soudal-Quick Step was poor, but in the Grand Tours the counter is reset to zero. Sprinter Tim Merlier hopes to wipe away that zero quickly. “My feeling is that everything is fine, hopefully that will be confirmed.”
The 2021 Giro was the first major tour in Tim Merlier’s career. He immediately won the bunch sprint on day 2. “Then it will be nice to return to the Giro,” laughed Merlier this morning at Renaat Schotte in Italy.
Merlier needs to study that road book carefully. “How many sprint opportunities are there? Oh well, I still have to look at that. There are some opportunities and there are also days where I will have to survive.”
“My form is good, I think,” says the sprint bomb from Soudal – Quick Step. “My spring was good and then I went on an internship with my family. My feeling is that everything is going well, hopefully that will be confirmed.”
With the exception of a few men, every sprinter is here. The level is high, but that’s how I like it.
Tim Merlier
The competition in Italy is fierce. “That’s right,” Merlier nods. “With the exception of a few men, every sprinter is present here. The level is high, but that’s how I like it.”
“Look at the latest UAE Tour (where Merlier won 3 stages). Then there is a little more organization and the peloton wants to sprint more than usual.”
Merlier relies on his buddy Bert Van Lerberghe as a pilot. “Although I have noticed that a real lead-out has not been set up in recent years.”
“Everyone can drive fast and then it is difficult to really get a line. But we have a lot of experience.”
Merlier is counting on the services of Van Lerberghe.
All roads lead to Rome
For a sprinter, the points jersey is always an extra carrot. Is Merlier preying on the maglia ciclamino?
“Of course you dream about that, but you first have to take a victory and then you have to think about a second one. Only after a third stage victory can you start dreaming, I think.”
Although Merlier admits that a grand tour is not something for him. “Do I eagerly look forward to the Giro every year? No, a Grand Tour is not my favorite terrain.”
“But it is important to show yourself as a sprinter. And if you want the points jersey, you have to get to Rome.”
“When will I be satisfied? With a number of victories. A number, yes. I have a positive attitude.”
Giro d’Italia
