The Belgian couldn’t contest the sprint at the Münsterland Giro after being involved in a late crash.
Münsterland Giro marked Tim Merlier’s final outing as European Champion, but it was no fairytale ending for Soudal Quick-Step’s speedster. Merlier, who since winning the continental title last year has amassed a total of 17 wins, was one of the big favourites at the last German race of the season, but his hopes of victory abruptly came to an end inside the last eight kilometers, when he was involved in a crash.
Until that point of the race, Soudal Quick-Step had been in control of things with Ayco Bastiaens and Jordi Warlop, who kept the original breakaway in check before reeling it in around 40 kilometers from the finish. On the local laps, other riders tried to get away and flip the scenario, but our team did an excellent job and also brought these late attackers back.
Due to the crash that came so close to the line, only a reduced group was left to fight for victory, which was taken by Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) after a hectic sprint. Soudal Quick-Step’s top finisher in Münster ended up being former Belgian Champion Yves Lampaert.
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