Does Soudal Quick-Step have the wildcard for Roubaix after all? "If you had told me that 5 years ago..."

Tim Merlier secured his first-ever victory in the Scheldeprijs in Schoten on Wednesday. The West Flemish rider from Soudal Quick-Step was understandably elated about the win, but there's little time to revel in the glory as Paris-Roubaix awaits on Sunday, the monument that, particularly in this form, should suit him best. This was the main topic of conversation at the press conference attended by IDLProCycling.com.

"It feels good," remarked Merlier somewhat dryly when asked about his Scheldeprijs victory. It wasn't surprising, given the flurry of TV interviews and similar engagements he'd already undergone. "It's my seventh victory in what has been a very good season, so that's something to be proud of," he added.

For Merlier, defeating Jasper Philipsen and the others in the so-called "World Cup for sprinters" didn't come as a big surprise, given his meteoric start to the 2024 season. "I already felt good in the Tour of Flanders. I received a lot of messages about it, that I rode a good race. Maybe not everyone noticed, but still. The same was true for the Scheldeprijs. It wasn't my best performance, but still good enough to entertain the fans. And anyone who suffers a flat tire in the final lap and still manages to win must have strong nerves and legs."

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Merlier refuses to become too euphoric: "In a few weeks, they'll forget about it"

Anyone who believes the down-to-earth Belgian is now on cloud nine will be mistaken. "We have to be realistic," Merlier corrects when a favorite role is attributed to him for Paris-Roubaix. "I may have gained some status now and there's a flattering headline in the paper, but in a few weeks, that will be forgotten. I have seven wins now, but if it takes a while until my eighth, there will be comments too."

Nevertheless, it's undeniable that he will be the frontman for Soudal Quick-Step at Paris-Roubaix. Merlier won Nokere Koerse and the Scheldeprijs, finished second in De Panne, and came eighth in Wevelgem. However, the Flemish classics didn't quite go smoothly for his team otherwise. 21st in the Omloop (Yves Lampaert), 28th in E3 Saxo (Lampaert), 26th in Dwars door Vlaanderen (Julian Alaphilippe), and 18th in the Hoogmis with Lampaert: these are not results that Patrick Lefevere will be celebrating with a bottle of champagne, especially considering the talent still at his disposal with Kasper Asgreen and Gianni Moscon.

Merlier outlines ideal scenario for Paris-Roubaix

Lefevere is well known for saying, "We'll pick up the tab after Liège," and then Roubaix seems potentially the course to turn the tide. "The form is good, and I have the confidence, but you also need luck," acknowledges Merlier, who is confident. "I believe something is possible. I'm not talking about winning, but I do think something is possible. An ideal scenario would be the Philipsen scenario for Milan-Sanremo: with fifteen men to the line and then being just fast enough. But I can also ride with them and put the team in a comfortable position.

Leader of Soudal Quick-Step: Merlier's face lights up with a smile at the mention. "If you had told me that five years ago, I wouldn't have believed it," the Belgian says, reflecting on the challenges surrounding some strong teammates. "I think we have enough talent, but with some leaders, it's hard to switch gears mentally when things aren't going well. It's like a sprinter who can't win early in the season; then it usually takes longer to get going. Now we have proven that we won't be easily outdone."

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As a cyclocross rider, Merlier could excel in potentially treacherous conditions: currently lots of rain, but dry on race day. "Weather conditions can be unpredictable. One moment it's raining, then it's 24 degrees, and then it's windy again. I've already scoped it out with Bert Van Lerberghe. He's my best buddy since I was twelve years old. We often have discussions, but that's what makes it fun."

Enter Van Lerberghe, Merlier's regular lead-out and racing companion. What does he expect from his leader in Roubaix? "In Roubaix, we can go far in the race with some guys," he mentions the luck factor and the absence of selective hills. "Tim too. I'm not saying he can win, but he can go far," the ever-modest man from Kortrijk said of Merlier's chances.