Belgium have opted for the high-risk tactic of choosing Jasper Philipsen and Tim Merlier for Sunday’s European street race championships and can give each the liberty to dash for victory, even when they go face to face and shoulder to shoulder.
Belgian nationwide coach Sven Vanthourenhout has chosen two sprinters as a result of each Philipsen and Merlier are potential winners and so in idea provide extra possibilities of victory.
“We had been each promised that we might get our probability in a dash. So I do not see any issues with that,” Philipsen instructed the Belgian media about sharing dash management with Merlier on the eve of the race.
“Similar reply,” the often extra reserved Melier added.
Each Belgian sprinters are on type and each may win the 220km race across the twisting roads of east Flanders. They each raced at Alpecin in 2021 and 2022 earlier than Merlier moved on to Soudal however not often raced collectively. Now they share workforce management.
Merlier crashed laborious on stage 2 of the Renewi Tour however is assured of his dash. The Soudal Fast-Step rider has gained 3 sprints in 2024, together with three levels on the Giro d’Italia and the Scheldeprijs Traditional, the place he beat Philipsen.
Philipsen is arguably once more the most effective sprinter of the season. He gained Milan-San Remo and Traditional Brugge-De Panne, was second at Paris-Roubaix after which gained three levels on the Tour de France, the place Alpecin-Deceuninck teammate van der Poel is usually his lead out man.
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Each Philipsen and Merlier could have their very own mini-lead outs as they tackle Mathieu van der Poel (Netherlands), Jonathan Milan (Italy), Mads Pedersen (Denmark), Alexander Kristoff (Norway) and riders from 31 completely different nations.
If the race ends in a bunch velocity, Philipsen may dash down one facet of the street and Merlier on the opposite, in a form of Belgian dash showdown.
“Something is feasible,” Philipsen mentioned.
“There are extra sprinters than simply us,” Merlier added, highlighting how the 2 will thrash out a sprinting settlement with nationwide coach Sven Vanthourenhout within the pre-race workforce assembly.
Vanthourenhout seems to have chosen two sprinters as a result of each Philipsen and Merlier are potential winners. Maybe Belgium additionally is aware of that the race may not finish in a bunch dash, as was the case within the junior males and underneath 23 males races. Philipsen and Merlier may each win from a break or win a bunch dash if the race techniques imply the peloton comes again collectively.
“I do not need a crystal ball, however… the course is appropriate for racing. A bit just like the Ronde van Limburg. And that doesn’t at all times finish in a dash,” Merlier prompt.
Philipsen was not so satisfied and can maybe keep within the peloton and hope for a bunch dash.
“Individuals like Pedersen and Mathieu van der Poel will wish to make the race laborious however then it won’t be as much as me to take part. Our possibilities of successful are biggest in a mass dash. That is what we’re aiming for,” he mentioned.
The eventualities don’t embody one sprinter sacrificing their probability for the opposite.
“I do not anticipate it to occur,” Philipsen made clear.
“Each Tim and I’ll survive that with the mandatory freshness. But when I actually am on the finish of my rope and get the sensation that I can not win, it might be a bit silly to strive. In that case, I am afraid I will not be capable of present a lead-out.”
Merlier agreed. Each merely wish to dash for themselves and they’re going to have the liberty to take action.
Because the Flemish media identified, it may finish in triumph or catastrophe.
