Tim Merlier was crowned European road champion on Sunday, a victory that was number fourteenth the sprinter this season.
In an interview with Het Nieuwsblad, Patrick Lefevere says that Merlier has also made financial progress since he swapped Alpecin-Deceuninck for Soudal Quick-Step.
For a long time, Merlier focused mainly on cyclo-cross. However, halfway through 2019, he got a contract with Corendon-Circus, the predecessor of Alpecin-Deceuninck. He immediately became Belgian road champion and stayed with Christoph and Philip Roodhooft’s team in 2020, 2021 and 2022. He then made the move to Patrick Lefevere’s Soudal Quick-Step.
“The Roodhoofts got Tim for a bargain price at the time,” says Lefevere. “Which was smart in their case. Tim is only now starting to earn his money properly. I’m the first to pay him properly.”
What would Merlier’s career have looked like if he had focused on the road earlier?
“Ultimately, it’s figs after Easter. Tim is not someone who thinks that way either. He never talks about it like that. He is happy that he is earning a good living at the moment, with correct bonuses as well.”
Moreover, the years before the big road successes have also shaped Merlier in a good way, according to Lefevere.
“Tim knows what it is like to not be successful as a rider. He will always keep doing what he is doing, even now that he is winning so much. He is really one of the last of the Mohicans. Give me fifteen Merliers in the team.”
