The chronicle of the announced sprint, with Tim Merlier again as a large triumphant. The European champion triggered Sebastian Molano in the final stage with finish in Brussels. That way he looks completely ready for the tour. The Italian Filippo Baroncini (UAE) secured its overall victory in the Baloise Belgium Tour.
Always spectacle in the golden kilometer, only today not.
The bonus seconds did not go to a hijacker on the coast of Filippo Baroncini, but to the refugees.
That way, the final win could no longer slip away from him. The promise world champion of Leuven would therefore strike again on Belgian soil.
The battle for the daily win in Brussels had to provide a spectacle. Tim Merlier and Jasper Philipsen were once again the top favorites to finish it.
It was the European champion who again showed himself the fastest of the suit, not coincidentally in the (European) capital.
For the fourth time in his career, Merlier won in Brussels, barely 2 weeks after his previous success in the Brussels Cycling Classic. He made it with force majeure, for Sebastián Molano. Because a millimeter print, Merlier does not like that.
The hole towards the rest of the suit was impressive again. Philipsen had to come from far, but he also didn’t get closer to Merlier.
The top favorite for the first yellow sweater in Lille has become even more clear.
Merlier: “Misconception that I would be too fresh”
Without his leaky regular lead Bert van Lerberghe, Tim Merlier had to find his way in the final kilometers. “I knew that I had to perform a maneuver myself to move on the bridge.”
“Then I went to Dries (Van Gestel). He had to continue and brought me in a good position. I knew that if I were in the top 3, I would have a good chance.”
For the second year on and Rij, Merlier won this arrival. “It looks like the same scenario as last year, yes. Even then I won on the walker and in Brussels and I was enclosed in the second sprinters ride.”
Does Merlier now take his welcome price rhythm? “It was actually a misconception that I would be too fresh. It was a comparison with last year when I came out of the Giro. Now I’m just a little fresher, but certainly not too fresh. “
Much is no longer on his program towards BK and Tour. “I’m just going to keep working. I’m not going to make fun and no more statements. Otherwise I get a message from my trainer again,” he grinned.
Baroncini: “Came with good legs from the Giro”
Final winner Filippo Baroncini we will see more often in Belgium. After his promise world title in Leuven, he scored his first professional victory in the Super 8 Classic last year, the Baloise Belgium Tour is his second.
“This means a lot to me. I came with good legs from the Giro and so pulled here with high expectations,” the Italian said in a first reaction.
The competition no longer tried to bombard him in the golden kilometer in the final ride. “Maybe they were not sure that they would grab the bonis there? I can also drive a good sprint.”
“I thought the Ardennes ride was the nicest stage, because that trail is best for me. For the time trial I expected lower for the final classification. Normally I look at that distance, but afterwards I was happy with it.”
In the repetition we see that Philipsen must enter his sprint from far. He also doesn’t get really closer to Merlier, because that sprints far away from the rest. Only Molano remained somewhat in the area.
Tim Merlier rushes out of the wheel and takes 2nd stage victory in the Baloise Belgium Tour
End win for Baroncini
Filippo Baroncini may again write the final victory of the Baloise Belgium Tour on his record. Merlier and his UAE team mate Molano hijacked Boni’s headstoot at the line, ideal for the Italian.
Tim Merlier strikes again in Brussels!
His fourth success ever in the capital! The European champion Timet are excellent sprint and releases Juan Sebastian Molano fairly easily. Tim Merlier takes all his 10th seasonal victory, punishment.
Nervous pushing and pulling, with Merlier who throws herself. He fights for fourth position for the last corner. In the wake of Molano.
We still cut the last 1,000 meters with Segaert in the lead. The last corner is 300 meters from the line.
Segaert guides Berckmoes forward again. The youth sweater with the points sweater, super fast to the final kilometer.
Riesebeek makes rock hard, not far from the finish
Merlier has to draw his plan 2 kilometers from the finish, Lerberghe shed is gone. Van Gestel is still with the European champion, around place 10. Philipsen is already in third position of the peloton.
A very ugly fall! Oscar Riesebeek, one of the pawns for Jasper Philiipsen, sands over the asphalt. He remains heavily planed.
Another 4 kilometers
UAE guides leader Filippo Baroncini ideal at the forefront of the Peloton. Ineos Grenadiers is also in the front, with Philipsen in their wake. Merlier is a lot further in the middle of the suit.
Quentin Bezza goes on and over Hillen, the early flighter is now being dressed. With a narrowing, a bunch loses the connection with the peloton. Carlos Canal, among others, fell at low speed on the road island.
Pim Ronhaar even almost falls through his flat tire. The tube comes loose completely, until he decides to stop.
Merlier and Philipsen are in each other’s neighborhood, in the third or fourth row of the peloton. The gaping mouth of the large group will soon eat Hillen.
Hillen is the last to left
Vandenbulcke has driven empty, Hillen accelerates again from behind his back. Without an answer, so he remains the last. Umberto Poli (Novo Nordisk) is painfully acquainted with the road surface in the peloton.
10 kilometers to the finish
A sprint for the sprint in the peloton, to a bend where everyone wants to sit in front. 10 seconds still for Hillen and Vandenbulcke, who continue to throw themselves nicely.
Lotto, UAE, Ineos Grenadiers, Movistar and Alpecin-DECEUNINCK. Those are the most impressive trains at the moment.
