Tim Merlier is back to winning ways. The Belgian sprinter, who had been missing from the results so far, has claimed the small world championship of sprinters. Yesterday he competed in his second race of 2026, after a knee problem that emerged during the cyclocross season prevented him from making his debut at the end of January as planned.

At the Scheldeprijs in Schoten, 114 editions, the oldest Flemish competition (founded in 1907), Merlier returned to winning in a sprint finish in his own style: beating Czech rider Bittner and Frenchman Jeanniere. The third consecutive sprint victory for the Soudal-Quick Step sprinter, 33 years old: «This victory gives me a huge boost of confidence, because when I started I knew they would have to be very strong to beat me».

Merlier, visibly relieved and happy, continues after securing his 67th career victory: «It means so much, especially after all the problems last winter and in recent months. Winning here for the third time, and three in a row at that, is a great feeling. This time I had many question marks, many doubts about whether I was up to it or not. In training I felt I was improving more and more, but still... In the race I didn't have my best day, perhaps a bit due to the early heat. I managed quite well even though there was that sudden crash, I avoided it phenomenally, I really needed my best cyclocross skills in that moment».

The Belgian, who has won 4 stages at the Giro and 3 at the Tour plus the European title in 2024, describes the sprint this way: «In the final kilometre I felt in a perfect position, even though for a moment I feared getting trapped. Then a gap opened up and I managed to launch my sprint, I did it my way, instinctively, and from far out too. I thought I had no more energy left, but instead...».