Tim Merlier makes a grand comeback: "There are hardly any races left for me"

The doubts were great, Tim Merlier never denied that before his second race of the season. But his confidence in his sprint was even greater: at the Scheldeprijs, the former Tour de France and Giro d'Italia stage winner sprinted to victory as usual, and that unleashed a lot in him afterward.

Since winter, an annoying knee injury had been bothering him. Several times the top sprinter had to interrupt his training, and he saw one goal after another fade from his racing calendar. "At a certain point, you start wondering: will I ever get back to my best level? Will I still have that explosive power I had before? But after my win in the Scheldeprijs, those doubts instantly disappeared," Merlier laughs in hindsight.

That’s quick!
"Don't forget that I’ve only had about seven weeks of training and preparation. Normally, we spend a lot of time in the gym during winter, but I was completely held back there because of my knees. First, it was the left knee, then the right. It was very strange to go through. But I also knew I could handle it all; it was only an issue once I got on the bike. But there’s nothing that can’t be fixed. When I launched my sprint, I already felt: it’s definitely still there, and I can still do it. I admit I shed a tear."

Did you win today without any knee pain?
"Yes. But honestly? I don’t like being asked that question anymore. Otherwise, it wouldn’t make sense to start training at all. But they’ve been pain-free for at least two months now, that’s for sure."

It’s not easy to be stuck at home for so long.
"On one hand, it was nice to spend that time with the family, but you’d prefer that after a highlight. I definitely asked ten times whether Cameron (Vandenbroucke, Merlier’s partner) and 'the little one' were going to be there today. I don’t know why, but that made me very happy. They had to come. And to close the family story: it was thirty years ago that Frank (Vandenbroucke, Cameron’s late father) won here."

How big is your hunger now then?
"I’m really eager. Even if they send me to the Tour of the Basque Country (laughs): I’d do it all. Racing is ultimately why you become a rider. But it all has to stay realistic as well. We know I’m definitely not in my best shape, and the Scheldeprijs itself is a rather calm race, but I still felt good."

There aren’t any big races fitting your style waiting for you, just when you’re back 'on track.'
"That’s true. Part of the team is already aiming for the Giro d'Italia, and there aren’t many other races. Maybe I’ll join the Devo Team somewhere, or the Tour of Turkey or the Tour of Limburg if we race there as a team. We still have to see. The motto is: as many races as possible, but only races that suit my abilities. The goals are the Tour de France and the National Championships."

Soudal Quick-Step could definitely use this win too.
"I did feel a bit of pressure coming from their side, although I didn’t really need it. They were very happy here and there that I was back, and I luckily was able to give that back to them."