Tim Merlier trains pain-free again after persistent knee problems

Due to a lingering knee injury, Tim Merlier has not yet been able to compete this season, but his team Soudal Quick-Step has now shared some good news. The Belgian top sprinter can now train pain-free again, although the team is cautious not to rush things. This was reported by Het Laatste Nieuws.

Merlier has already postponed his season start several times. After missing his debut at the Tour of AlUla, the UAE Tour was also taken off his schedule. The focus then shifted to the Flemish Opening Weekend, but these races are still too soon for the fast man.

In December, Merlier initially experienced irritation in his left knee, followed by issues in his right knee. After a period of rest, the problem seemed to disappear during the training camp in January, but at the end of the camp, he experienced discomfort in his right knee again.

"Tim hasn’t been able to train for even two weeks without pain. He will be able to race at the earliest by mid or late March, but we don’t want to commit to a specific date or event," said Jorgen Foré, team manager at Soudal Quick-Step, earlier this month to Het Laatste Nieuws. "For now, we are not making any plans with Tim."

Return
The 33-year-old Merlier can now ride his training miles pain-free again, although no longer rides have yet been scheduled. "There is a new team directors’ meeting tomorrow where the situation will be reassessed," HLN reports. The team is not yet ready to make any announcements regarding a (potential) comeback.