Tim Merlier has won the second stage of the Baloise Belgium Tour. The Soudal Quick-Step sprinter proved the fastest in Knokke-Heist after the stage from Merelbeke-Melle to the coast, claiming victory in the mass sprint at De Wandelaar for the third year in a row. Thanks to his win, he also takes over the leader’s jersey.
After just one kilometre of racing, a breakaway of six riders formed: Stijn Appel, Michiel Hillen, Jonah Killy, Victor Broex, Victor Hannes and Viktor Vandenberghe. The sprinters’ teams, however, kept the situation firmly under control and never allowed the attackers to build a significant advantage.
In the Golden Kilometre, Michiel Hillen won the first intermediate sprint, while Viktor Vandenberghe took both the second and the third. With eight kilometres to go, the breakaway was reeled in, after which the sprinters’ teams further increased the pace in preparation for a bunch sprint.
In that sprint, Tim Merlier once again proved the strongest. The Soudal Quick-Step rider beat Olav Kooij and Jasper Philipsen, with Max Kanter and Emilien Jeannière completing the top five. Biniam Girmay, winner of Wednesday’s stage in Scherpenheuvel-Zichem, did not contest the sprint in Knokke-Heist.
With this stage win at De Wandelaar — his third in a row at this iconic finish — Merlier also takes the lead in the general classification. He now holds a six-second advantage over Girmay.
On Friday, an Ardennes stage starting and finishing in Durbuy could shake up the general classification.
