Merlier, absolute king of sprinters in UAE Tour: "I went too early, but could even push again"

Indeed, the Belgian sprinter executed everything flawlessly. His positioning within his team's lead-out train appeared seamless, and the timing of the former Belgian champion was impeccable. However, when asked if the win was straightforward, Merlier did not affirm, stating, "The sprint is never easy. It may have appeared that way, but it was not without its challenges."

Merlier expressed happiness and satisfaction with the team's efforts. "They positioned me well throughout the day. When it was time to go, I may have started a bit too early initially. I hesitated for a moment, then found another opportunity on the left to launch again. I aimed to latch onto Kooij's wheel, and when I surpassed him, I secured the victory."

The Belgian became the first rider ever to claim two stage wins in two consecutive editions of the UAE Tour. "That's a nice accolade. It's satisfying to make history." When asked if he anticipates more historic achievements, the Belgian responded modestly. "I'll certainly aim for another win. I'm looking forward to the next two stages. With the team, everything is progressing smoothly," concluded the undisputed king of the sprinters' domain in the Emirates.