The Renewi Tour set off this Wednesday on the 1st stage between Terneuzen and Breskens (182 km) on Wednesday. While we got along with a peaceful first day before an explanation for the sprint, the stage was much more animated than expected, between borders, falls … But it is the best sprinter in the world which still imposed itself, in the presence of Tim Merlier ! Well taken to the final, the Belgian of the Soudal Quick-Step offered the victory before Juan Sebastian Molano (UAE Team Emirates XRG) et Arnaud de Lie (Lotto) !
Video – Tim Merlier, double stage winner on the Tour de France
The summary
From the first kilometers, a breakaway of 7 men create with Robert Stannard (Bahrain Victorious), Max Walker (EF Education-EasyPost), Jelte Krijnsen (Jayco simple), Siebe Deweirdt, Milan Lanhove (Flanders Baloise), Alexandre van Petegem (Wagner-Bazin) and Andreas Stokbro (Unibet Tietema Rockets). But just over 100 kilometers from the finish, the peloton explodes in several pieces because of a strong side wind. A new group of 16 runners finds himself at the top of the race, with Stannard et Kinonly survivors of the morning escape, but also Dries De Bondt (Decathlon AG2R), Frank van den Broek (Picnic postnl), Mike Teunissen (XDs asa), Rui Oliveira (UAE Team Emirates XRG), Tibor Del Grosso, Gianni Vermeersch (Alpecin-DECEUNINCK), Paul Magnier (Soudal Quick-Step), Jasper Stuyven (Lidl-trek), Kasper Asgreen (EF Education-EasyPost), Jarrad Drizners (Lotto), Kenneth van Rooy (Wagner-Bazin), Rick Pluimers (Tudor), Axel Huens (Unibet Tietema Rockets) a Ryan Mullen (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe). Behind, the peloton led by the Visma | Lease a Bike et Intermarché-Wanty keep the gap between 20 and 40 seconds.
Despite no ascent present on the course, the wind and the speed makes the race very difficult. 22 kilometers from the finish, the “green kilometer” is located. Rui Oliveira Put 8 “, Dries De Bondt 7″ et Drizners 3 “. After a very big job and many forces spent, the escapes are taken up 5 terminals from the line. While a fall shakes the peloton. Olav Kooij (Visma | lease a bike) is taken in particular, but he leaves quickly and will be able to compete in the sprint. On the other hand, Sam Welsford (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe), And Mclay (Visma | lease a bike) or other Marijn van den Berg (EF Education-Easypost) did not have the same “luck”. In front, the sprint is preparing. It rubs a lot, the Soudal Quick-Step and the Picnic are the best in -place teams. Pavel Bittner (Picnic Postnl) launches the sprint 250 meters, but Tim Merlier (Sudal Quick-Step) is wedged in his wheel and overflows it at the right time. The European champion is too strong and will never be reassembled! He thus offered himself his 13th victory of the season, ahead Juan Sebastian Molano (2e, UAE Team Emirates XRG), Arnaud de Lie (3e, Lotto), Bittner (4e) a Biniam Girmay (5th, Intermarché-Wanty).
