Extremely ambitious Evenepoel and Merlier on the same Tour squad: Soudal–Quick-Step explains the game plan

A year ago, Merlier was disappointed not to be included in the Tour. According to the sprinter, a GC rider and a sprint specialist can work well together in the same team. “I know I can win sprints in the Tour. I am convinced of that, and that is my ambition. If you really want to stand out as a sprinter, you have to go to the Tour,” he said. “I can also put myself aside for the team; I've already proven that. The team has to ride until the last kilometer, even in flat stages, and then I can go for it. But anyway, it won't be like that.”

Merlier already rode the Tour once in 2021 for the current Alpecin-Deceuninck team, winning a stage, but had to abandon after nine days following a crash. After three stage wins in the 2024 Giro d'Italia and ten victories this season, he now has another chance. “Tim and Remco will have a couple of chances, but important will be that everybody makes it through those ten stages safely,” team manager Tom Steels emphasized in a press release. The Belgian sees “plenty of opportunities for the sprinters and punchers” in the first part of the Tour de France.

Read more below the photo.

To perform well in the sprints, Bert Van Lerberghe has been selected for the lead-out. Pascal Eenkhoorn is another fast rider, but most of the support will logically go to Evenepoel. Mattia Cattaneo, Maximilian Schachmann, Ilan Van Wilder, and Valentin Paret-Peintre will be there to help the Belgian cycling team on the climbs. Louis Vervaeke is missing after breaking his collarbone. “We have a strong and experienced team that is capable of great things this summer, so we are starting with a lot of confidence,” said Steels.

Evenepoel finished third in his Tour de France debut last year and hopes to do at least as well in July. “I think it's clear that I'm aiming for a good overall classification, but the most important thing is not to lose any time in the first half of the race, which will be quite nervous, with many obstacles and difficult roads. Just like last year, I want to win a stage there and ride a good classification, but I'll take it day by day.”

Remco Evenepoel
Tim Merlier
Bert Van Lerberghe
Pascal Eenkhoorn
Mattia Cattaneo
Maximilian Schachmann
Ilan Van Wilder
Valentin Paret-Peintre