Yves Lampaert and Tim Merlier will both be at the start of the five-day race
Ten overall wins and two dozen stage victories – it’s safe to say that our team has always enjoyed the Tour of Belgium, which this year is scheduled between 18-22 June. The parcours will be even more sprinter-friendly than in the past, with three opportunities for the peloton’s fast men, including one on Sunday, when they will conclude on the streets of Brussels.
The general classification could be a tight one once again, shaped by a flat 9.7km individual time trial on the third stage, followed just twenty-four hours later by a hilly day around Durbuy, where the attackers will try to make the most out of that opportunity.
Tim Merlier, who has won twice on home soil this season – most recently at the Brussels Cycling Classic – will headline Soudal Quick-Step’s seven-man squad for the 94th edition of the race, one of the oldest in the world. The European Champion, the most successful sprinter of the year, will be joined on the start line by Josef Cerny, British Champion Ethan Hayter, Yves Lampaert, Martin Svrcek, Dries Van Gestel and his excellent lead-out man Bert Van Lerberghe.
“We go to the Tour of Belgium with clear ambitions, as we’ll have Tim on the squad, and he has shown this season what he’s capable of in the bunch sprints. Overall, the team is a strong one, capable of doing something nice also in the time trial with the likes of Ethan, Yves and Josef. Depending on what happens there, we’ll see if we can go also for a strong general classification. The most important thing is that we are confident and determined to leave our mark on the race”, said sports director Geert Van Bondt.
Photo credit: ©Dario Belingheri / Getty Images
