Tim Merlier will make his final outings as reigning European Champion in the next couple of days.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday bring three one-day races for The Wolfpack: Kampioenschap van Vlaanderen, Super 8 Classic and Gooikse Pijl. Two of these should come with as many opportunities for the sprinters, although in case of wind the scenario could change, while in the other the attackers and the puncheurs will be in the spotlight.
Since winning the continental title on home turf last year, Tim Merlier has scored a total of 16 victories – a remarkable achievement and a number no other rider has reached with the European Champion jersey on his shoulders since 2016, when the competition welcomed pro riders. The 32-year-old – the most successful sprinter of 2025 – will pin on a number for Kampioenschap van Vlaanderen and Gooikse Pijl, two races where he triumphed last season, hoping to be in the mix if they again come down to a mass gallop.
“It’s been a great year in the European Champion jersey. I got a lot of wins, including two at the Tour de France, but if I were to name the most beautiful moment of the season for me that would be standing on the podium in Gent-Wevelgem. To be there with that jersey, despite not winning the race, felt pretty special, because it’s one of the few Classics where you can still fight for victory as a sprinter”, Tim said. “I look forward to returning to action after almost one month with no racing and I am motivated to be up there and try to get one more win as European Champion.”
A total of nine Soudal Quick-Step riders will be in action at the three races scheduled this week: Ayco Bastiaens, Pascal Eenkhoorn, Gil Gelders, Antoine Huby, Tim Merlier, Bert Van Lerberghe, Warre Vangheluwe, Louis Vervaeke – who is back in action after a solid three weeks at La Vuelta, where he animated the race several times from the breakaway – and Jordi Warlop. They will be joined by three members of our Devo Team: Jelle Harteel, Lars Vanden Heede and Matijs Van Strijthem.
“Two of the races are for the sprinters, and we are prepared to support Tim, who’ll have a solid team around him, including Bert – one of the best lead-out men out there. Concerning Super 8, there we could see a tactical battle, with the laps featuring Moskesstraat, Holstheide and Smeysberg, which should shape the finale. We have strong riders for all three races, including some Devo Team riders who know what hard racing means, and we’ll do everything we can to get a good result”, said sports director Kevin Hulsmans.
Kampioenschap van Vlaanderen: Ayco Bastiaens, Jelle Harteel, Tim Merlier, Bert Van Lerberghe, Matijs Van Strijthem, Warre Vangheluwe, Jordi Warlop.
Super 8 Classic: Pascal Eenkhoorn, Gil Gelders, Antoine Huby, Lars Vanden Heede, Warre Vangheluwe, Louis Vervaeke, Jordi Warlop.
Gooikse Pijl: Ayco Bastiaens, Pascal Eenkhoorn, Gil Gelders, Tim Merlier, Bert Van Lerberghe, Warre Vangheluwe, Jordi Warlop.
Photo credit: ©Dario Belingheri / Getty Images
