Tim Merlier gives telling answer to predictable question after Giro victory: "Haters will be disappointed"

The penultimate sprint in this Giro d'Italia on Thursday in Padova was won by Tim Merlier, who was understandably overjoyed after the race. The Soudal Quick-Step sprinter got a perfect lead-out to the final corner, courtesy of Bert van Lerberghe, following which he clinched victory in a head-to-head battle with the poorly positioned Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek).

This victory was a significant boost for Merlier, who, after his first stage win during the first real sprinter-suited stage, had to survived all mountain stages to seize this chance. After much hard work by his team, it seemed he was too far back with two kilometers to go, but his buddy Van Lerberghe saw this too and guided Merlier into the perfect position for the final turns at just the right moment.

While the Lidl-Trek crew was leading and looking for their sprinter Milan, Merlier was able to choose the perfect moment to launch his attack from the middle. In a one-on-one duel, the Belgian was faster than his Italian opponent. "I knew I could finish it off with my fast Castelli sprint suit," Merlier referred to the Italian clothing sponsor of Soudal Quick-Step, with whom the team had just extended their contract by two years.

Continue reading below the photo.

Julian Alaphilippe initiated the lead-out with two kilometers to go but saw that his teammates did not follow. "We wanted to get ourselves organized at the important points, but we were not perfectly positioned. Eventually, however, we were in a good position, but I was surprised when I saw there were only five hundred meters left. At that point, I had to choose my moment."

It was the first time Merlier won a stage in the third week of a grand tour, and the first time he took more than one stage in a grand tour, so he was probably expecting a question there. "The haters will be disappointed," he replied soberly with a telling smile.

Team director Davide Bramati also spoke with Eurosport. "There's a lot of emotion because it wasn't an easy day. It was, I believe, an average of 48 kilometers per hour, and the team was really in control, along with Lidl-Trek and Tudor. I also have to thank them because that allowed us to eventually catch the breakaway."

"The team eventually brought Tim into a good position for the finish, but we'll review that later. For now, we're just really happy," said the Italian. "We're going to enjoy this victory and then see what the last three days bring."

Video: this is how Merlier outpaced Milan in stage 18 Giro