Tim Merlier won the opening Stage of the Renewi Tour on Wednesday. The Belgian was The Fastest in The Mass Sprint in Breskens After Olav Kooij, Among Others, Fell. Mathieu van der Poel Didn’t Play a Major Role in His Return.
Kooij was the Big Favorite for the Stage Win in Advance, but 5 kilometers from the finish he was Involved in a major crash. The Dutchman from Visma-Lease a Bike Did Return to the Peloton and Sprinted, But Couldn’t Play A Significant Role. He finished seventh.
Merlier was in a class of his own in the mass sprint. The European Champion from Soudal Quick-Step Scored His Thirteenth Victory of the Season. Last Month also won two internships in the Tour de France.
For van der Poel, it was his first race after his abandonment in the Tour de France. The Brabander had the second stage in the tour and had to withdraw after the last rest day due to a lung infection. He is preparation for the mountain bike world championships, which will be hero in Switzerland on September 14.
The Renewi Tour Lasts Until Sunday. The Belgian Stage Race Continues on Thursday with a flat stage to Ardooie in Belgium. This will be followed by a stage to the iconic wall of Geraardsbergen and Two Stages through the Flemish Ardennes.
Wind Causes Spectacle in Zeeland
The 182-kilometer opening Stage from Terneuzen to Breskens in Zeelandic Flanders Seemed Unlikely to Cause Too Much Spectacle in Advance. With only 255 meters of altitude, The Stage was very flat.
But there was fireworks halfway through the stage. Due to the Wind, The Peloton Broke Into Several Pieces and a Strong Leading Group of Sixteen Riders Emerged, Including Mike Teunissen, Rick Pluimers and the Dutch Top Talent Tibor del Grosso.
Visma-Lease a Bike Then Tried to Close the Gap, But It Tok A Long Time Before the Sixteen Leaders Were Caht. The Escapees Smelled Their Chance and Tried to Stay Ahead, But they were still CAUGHT 5 kilometers from the finish.
Precisely at That Moment, a major crash followed, Involving Kooij and Marijn van den Berg, Among Others. Kooij was Brought Forward by a Teammate, but that was or no -avail.