Merlier ruled out of Gent-Wevelgem return as knee injury delays comeback
The Soudal Quick-Step sprinter resumes pain free training, but the team targets longer term goals with the Tour de France in mind.
Tim Merlier will postpone his comeback from a knee injury and miss the key Spring Classics, with Soudal Quick-Step opting for a measured rebuild rather than rushing him back for Gent-Wevelgem (this year 'In Flanders Fields – From Middelkerke to Wevelgem').
The decision lands hard for the Belgian, who finished second at In Flanders Fields in 2025 and had targeted a return to the Flemish one-day races this spring, aiming to defend his titles at the 'World Championships of Sprinters', Scheldeprijs, and the Brussels Cycling Classic.
After several weeks away from racing, Merlier has finally put together consistent, pain-free work. “He had a good first week of training behind him with three-hour rides. Until recently, the knee pain always started after half an hour in the saddle,” said Jurgen Foré to directvelo, welcoming the first clear step forward.
Given the depth of his layoff, expectations are being reset around realistic timelines as Merlier was, as mentioned, originally slated to return to racing by mid March. “We have to realize that he wasn't able to train in December and January. He certainly needs to rebuild his base fitness over six to eight weeks,” Foré said.
That rebuild rules out an early return to the cobbles. “I wouldn't want to field him in a 260 kilometer race with such a thin base. I never say never, but I think it's still unrealistic,” Foré noted, effectively closing the door on Gent Wevelgem despite Merlier’s podium there last spring.
Instead, Soudal Quick-Step is orienting his comeback toward mid summer targets. “I think that with Tim Merlier, we would be better off aiming for longer term goals, more with the Tour de France in mind. Perhaps this freshness will be beneficial for the Tour de France,” Foré said.
Merlier took home two stage victories in the 2025 Tour de France, on stages 3 and 9, and the 33-year-old Belgian will aim to put his knee troubles to bed by July as he chases the fourth Tour de France stage win of his career.
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