Seventh place for the overall leader of the Tour of Belgium after being boxed in.
Tim Merlier was again one of the main favourites on the second stage of the race, but luck wasn’t on the European Champion’s side in Putte. The course was completely flat, but took the peloton on some exposed roads which made for an entertaining race, as the winds split the bunch with 50 kilometers to go.
Soudal Quick-Step’s leader, together with his many teammates, were in the first group, which forced those behind to push hard and spend a lot of energy in order to join them. The echelons spelled the end of the breakaway, but soon, three riders attacked and gained time on the field, remaining at the front of the race until the final eight kilometers. As the bunch split again, another rider tried his chance, hoping to take advantage of the situation, but he too was brought back.
On the other hand, this made for a very hectic finish, without a lead-out train to control things. Merlier tried to open his sprint with 200 meters to go, but he was boxed in and had to settle for seventh place on this stage won by Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck). Following this result, he is now third overall going into Friday’s short individual time trial, one of the two consecutive stages that will be decisive in the general classification fight.
Photo credit: ©Rhode Van Elsen / Getty Images
