Tim Merlier wins Minerva Bruges – De Panne Classic
Peyskens, Reynders and Battaglin leave just after the start and are an easy target for a long time. But with 34 kilometers to go, Julien Vermote takes the lead. The pace picks up. All sprinter teams work for miles to maintain a good position. Trains to the Veurnelaan for the sprint. But in the last kilometers it’s every man for himself. Jonas Rickaert puts the string on it for his leader Tim Merlier.
In a fall, Pascal Ackerman is the biggest victim, the winner of Bredene-Koksijde. But the sprint does not wait for him. Dylan Groenewegen in the center and Tim Merlier make it a battle at the cutting edge. Millimeters, that’s all. but Merlier will make it. Wonderful sprint victory for him, nicely introduced by Jonas Rickaert.