Cycling
Tim Merlier has won Nokere Koerse for the third time in a row. The Soudal Quick-Step rider proved to be the strongest in a bunch sprint.
“If I compare it with the previous two editions that I won, I think I am now at the start a little fresher than then.” Tim Merlier has no lack of confidence before the start of Nokere Koerse. How could it be otherwise? The Soudal Quick-Step sprinter won the past two editions and was eager to complete a flawless hat trick. And when Merlier sets his mind to something, it is often a hit. The competition was therefore warned.
To say that the competition was fierce is an understatement. There were many top sprinters at the start, including Jasper Philipsen, Tim Merlier, Gerben Thijssen and Fabio Jakobsen. And yet it was not yet certain that it would actually result in a bunch sprint. The course was heavily modified, which made it easier for escapees to prevent a sprint. The cobblestone section in particular at the very end of the race frightened the top sprinters.
The little wind ensured a lightning-fast start to the race. There was no question of an early escape for a long time. Ultimately, six of them got away, but the flight did not last long. About forty kilometers from the finish, the last escapee, Abram Stockman, was captured.
Inevitable bunch sprint
The signal for Tim Wellens and co. to put pressure on the sprinters. And with success. At the start of the final lap, the peloton broke in two, which made the organization of a bunch sprint even more difficult. Kim Heiduk proved that the nervousness was gradually reaching a boiling point. The young rider from Ineos Grenadiers crashed spectacularly. Daan Hoole tried to avoid the German, but as a result he also drove into the canal. With a painful grimace, the two got back on the bike.
The crash made the thinned out peloton realize that the hectic pace had to make way for rest. But when the second part of the peloton was allowed to reconnect, it was all hands on deck again. Despite some attempts to prevent a sprint, even Jasper Philipsen didn’t seem quite sure of his sprint and tried to get away. But Tim Wellens’ attack in particular was one that was really dangerous. Although it would also be mission impossible for Wellens to prevent a sprint. Two kilometers from the finish, his fairy tale was also over.
So sprint. Tim Merlier came from far away to the Nokereberg. The defending champion immediately had a few meters and saw no one else come close. Fabio Jakobsen came second, Jasper Philipsen third. For Merlier it is the third year in a row that he has been able to make the victory gesture.
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