Merlier unstoppable in Knokke-Heist sprint on Baloise Belgium Tour stage 2

Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step) powered to victory on stage 2 of the Baloise Belgium Tour in Knokke-Heist ahead of Olav Kooij (Decathlon CMA CGM) and Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Premier Tech).

Having finished second on the opening stage, this victory is Merlier’s sixth of the season, and a solid indication of the Belgian’s form ahead of the Tour de France, where he will be hoping for another successful edition, after two stage wins in 2025.

A six-rider breakaway formed, including Viktor Vandenberghe (Pauwels Sauzen-Altez Industriebouw), Michiel Hillen (Baloise Verzekeringen-Het Poetsbureau Lions), Victor Broex (Metec-Solarwatt p/b Mantel), Victor Hannes (Aarco), Stijn Appel (Beat CC p/b Saxo), and Jonah Killy (Tarteletto-Isorex). 

There was a crash with 39km remaining involving Søren Kragh Andersen (Lidl-Trek), Joren Bloem (Unibet Rose Rockets) and Lindsay De Vylder (Alpecin-Premier Tech). The Danish Champion looked to undergo concussion protocol checks before continuing. 

Hillen and Vandenberghe dropped back from the breakaway with 24km remaining, as NSN and Soudal Quick-Step set the tempo in the peloton. The remaining escapees were caught shortly inside 10km from the finish line, before the sprinters’ teams swarmed to the front in the fight for position. 

Sam Bennett (Pinarello-Q36.5) was among those who were detached from the peloton inside the final 3km, not contesting the finish. Cofidis, XDS Astana, Soudal Quick-Step and Decathlon CMA CGM were among the teams at the front under the flamme rouge. Quick-Step delivered the final lead-out before Merlier burst through and up the final ramp to the line to complete a hat-trick in Knokke-Heist.