Renewi Tour 2025: Merlier wins stage 1 in a bunch sprint
TOUR
· 20.08.2025
Tim Merlier has extended his impressive 2025 season record with another sprint victory. The Belgian top sprinter from Team Soudal Quick-Step won the opening stage of the Renewi Tour 2025 over 182.6 kilometres from Terneuzen to Breskens in convincing style. In the bunch sprint, he left the Belgian Arnaud De Lie from the team Lotto and Juan Sebastián Molano from UAE Team Emirates - XRG behind him. With the stage win, Merlier also secured the first leader's jersey of the five-day tour through Belgium and the Netherlands.
Results 1st stage Renewi Tour 2025
Stage 1: Terneuzen - Breskens (Sluis)
Renewi Tour 2025: Stage 1, Terneuzen - Breskens (Sluis)
| Rnk. | Riders | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Soudal Quick-Step | 03:40:05 |
| 2 | Lotto | +00:00:00 |
| 3 | UAE Team Emirates - XRG | +00:00:00 |
| 4 | Team Picnic PostNL | +00:00:00 |
| 5 | Intermarché - Wanty | +00:00:00 |
| 6 | INEOS Grenadiers | +00:00:00 |
The success in Breskens fits seamlessly into Merlier's strong season record. The 32-year-old Belgian already won the first and fifth stages of the Baloise Belgium Tour in June. He also triumphed at the Brussels Cycling Classic and celebrated two stage wins at the Tour de France. Merlier proved his sprinting prowess at the highest level on the third stage in Dunkerque and the ninth stage to Chateauroux. His success today underlines his status as one of the best sprinters of the season.
Routine sprint victory on flat terrain
The opening stage of the Renewi Tour 2025 took the peloton through the flat landscape of the Dutch province of Zeeland. The profile offered ideal conditions for the sprint teams, who took control of the race right from the start. While a small breakaway group was able to break away from the peloton at times, the teams of the top sprinters ensured that the lead remained manageable.
In the final phase of the race, the last breakaway riders were caught and the teams formed up for the expected bunch sprint. Soudal Quick-Step positioned its sprinter Merlier perfectly. When Pavel Bittner from Team Picnic PostNL opened the sprint early on, Merlier reacted confidently and passed his rival with impressive speed. The Belgian once again proved his excellent timing and explosiveness in the final metres. Arnaud De Lie and Juan Sebastián Molano were also able to overtake Bittner, but had no chance against Merlier.
