Belgian cyclist Tim Merlier clinched the title of European road champion in a thrilling finish at the European Cycling Championships held in Hasselt, Belgium. Merlier outpaced Dutch rider Olav Kooij and Estonian Madis Mihkels in a mass sprint, marking his 14th victory of the season.
The race, characterized by a flat 223 km course, saw Merlier overcoming a puncture to secure his victory. The absence of major favorites like Wout Van Aert and Remco Evenepoel meant that the Belgian team was keen to capitalize on home advantage with riders like Jasper Philipsen also in contention.
Despite the strong efforts from competitors such as Mathieu Van der Poel and Christophe Laporte, who finished 9th, the race concluded with a sprint finish, typical for such a flat course. Coach Thomas Voeckler of the French team expressed confidence in his squad, aiming for a strong performance despite a challenging season for some riders.
