Tim Merlier has now won three stages at the AlUla Tour, a race where this year, after two victories in 2024, he didn't take long to break through by winning the inaugural stage with start and finish at the old Al Manshiyah railway station.

"Is this the first time I've won the first race of the season? I'm not sure. But I've certainly won the first stage of a stage race more than once," Merlier begins before delving into more detail about the sprint that saw him triumph ahead of Molano and Zijlaard.

"The sprint was nervous as always. It was the first race of the season and it was a bit difficult to find the right lines and do everything correctly, but I think we managed quite well. Van Lerberghe did an truly outstanding job in the last kilometer, I believe it was almost a kilometer into the headwind, and he brought me into a good position. Then I started my sprint at the right moment," explained the Belgian who this year, unlike 12 months ago, didn't have to deal with bad luck.

"Yesterday during reconnaissance and this morning on video, I revisited the site of the quick bike change from 2024. It remains a nice memory, but I prefer to remember moments like today," concluded the 1992-born rider, who has now reached 51 career victories, a number he could seriously round up during this week of racing.