Belgian professional cyclist Tim Merlier secures the European road sprint title at the home European Championships in the province of Limburg. The best Swiss rider was Fabian Lienhard in fifteenth place.
15.09.2024, 18:02
15.09.2024, 18:25
SDA
With Tim Merlier, one of the co-favorites prevailed. On the 222.9 km from Heusden-Zolder to Hasselt without any major obstacles, breakaways had a hard time as expected. The 31-year-old Merlier mastered a field of 31 riders. He kept the upper hand ahead of Dutchman Olav Kooij and Estonian Madis Mihkels and secured the first home victory of the European Championships in Belgium.
Four Swiss riders finished with the main field. However, Fabian Lienhard (15th), Tom Bohli (17th), Simon Pellaud (22nd) and Stefan Bissegger (26th) were unable to get involved in the battle for the medals. Dutch world champion Mathieu van der Poel (30th) also came away empty-handed, with no chance in the sprint.
The European Championships are not a high priority between the highlights of the season at the Olympics and the World Championships in Zurich in two weeks' time. Tour de France champion Tadej Pogacar has only just returned to racing in Canada. Double Olympic champion Remco Evenepoel was also absent, as was his injured Belgian compatriot Wout van Aert.
