Defending champion Tim Merlier is ready to lead the team at one of his favourite races.
Victorious at the past two editions of Scheldeprijs, Tim Merlier is back at the start of the oldest Flemish one-day race on Wednesday, when he’ll pin on bib number one for the 114th edition. The Belgian started his season only a few weeks ago, at the Grote Prijs Jean-Pierre Monseré, and Scheldeprijs will be just his second outing of the year.
It’s a race I like, having won it twice in a row, and I’m really motivated to take on it again.
“My shape is getting better and better, so I look forward to being there. I would love to be in the mix for a good result, but I know it won’t be easy, because others are in better form. Nevertheless, I will give my best, like I always do, and we’ll see what I’ll achieve at the end of the day”, Tim said.
Pascal Eenkhoorn, Yves Lampaert, Casper Pedersen – third at last weekend’s NXT Classic – Fabio Van den Bossche, Bert Van Lerberghe, and Devo rider Cériel Desal, who just a few days ago became the first Belgian in 23 years to win the Boucle de l’Artois, are the six riders joining the former European Champion for the 205.2km race taking place from Terneuzen to Schoten, over a pan-flat course.
Tim will be our leader, and as always, he’ll have Bert by his side.
“He is motivated, but it remains to be seen what he can do given it’s just his second race of the season. The whole team is strong and will try to put him in a good position for the sprint. There won’t be too much wind, so no echelons on the menu, but the finale will be a hectic one, as there are a lot of sprinters at the start and their teams will try to bring them to the front. We come after a good weekend, in both NXT Classic and De Ronde, and are determined to do a solid race also here”, added sports director Iljo Keisse.
Photo credit: ©Wout Beel