Merlier spares cyclo-cross world the drama: "I'm not just a typical road racer trying out cyclo-cross"
Cyclo-cross
On Thursday, Tim Merlier announced that he would participate in two cyclo-cross races this winter: Loenhout (the Netherlands) on December 27 and Gullegem (Belgium) on January 4. However, if the Belgian had his way, he would also have started in the World Cup race in Besançon (France) on December 29. But as Merlier explained in an interview with Het Laatste Nieuws, doing so would have sparked controversy among cyclo-cross officials.
"Initially, I wanted to compete in the World Cup round in Besançon, but I abandoned that plan to maintain harmony in the cyclo-cross world," said Merlier. Since this season, Belgian cyclo-cross has had a new national coach, Angelo De Clercq, who is a close friend of Merlier. "De Clercq is one of my best mates, and I don’t want to be the reason he faces trouble for giving me one of his wildcards," said Merlier, who decided to spare his friend the potential backlash. "Apparently, some team managers were up in arms over the idea of me suddenly racing in a World Cup."
One such critic was former cyclo-cross racer Bart Wellens. "Come on," Wellens wrote in his column for Het Nieuwsblad, responding to Merlier's selection. "This is a World Cup we're talking about! You have to earn your selection. He’s taking the spot of a real cyclo-cross rider, and I think that’s a shame." "I read that, yes," Merlier said of Wellens' remarks. "He probably needed some inspiration to fill his column… (laughs) I understand that Belgium has an abundance of great cyclo-cross riders, that it's hard to justify claiming a spot in a World Cup race. But I'm not just a typical road racer trying out cyclo-cross. Anyway, to avoid escalating the situation, I withdrew my candidacy for Besançon."
Merlier already knows how he wants to end his career
Although Merlier primarily focuses on road racing now, he’s considering wrapping up his successful career as a cyclo-cross racer. "I’ve been toying with the idea of ending my professional career with a full cyclo-cross winter in the distant future. Ending my career where it started would bring things full circle. Cyclo-cross is still my first love."
Il Lombardia 2024
Embark on an incredible journey to the first Cycling World Championship in Africa
The Pogacar effect: How Tadej has shaped the career of Matthews in a crucial way
Can Decathlon AG2R's big budget strike back against the 'Big Four' this spring?
Despite crash in slippery Roubaix recon, Van Empel secures victory in Gavere: "Hope my knee heals well"
Nys and Van der Haar collaborated based on three words: "We helped each other today"
Latest Cycling News
Embark on an incredible journey to the first Cycling World Championship in Africa
The Pogacar effect: How Tadej has shaped the career of Matthews in a crucial way
Can Decathlon AG2R's big budget strike back against the 'Big Four' this spring?
Despite crash in slippery Roubaix recon, Van Empel secures victory in Gavere: "Hope my knee heals well"
Nys and Van der Haar collaborated based on three words: "We helped each other today"
Popular Cycling News
Not Roglic or Van Aert, but Visma | Lease a Bike itself was the reason Tratnik left: "I started to get bored"
The comeback of Van der Poel: arrival in Lambo, warning from dad, and kind words from his girlfriend and Thibau Nys
Not everyone is happy about Van der Poel's return to cyclo-cross: "There was nothing to see in the race"
Meanwhile in the peloton | Van der Poel arrives to Gavere race in stylish, orange Lamborghini
Zonneveld and Albert laugh about dominant Van der Poel, Ten Dam shares Ronhaar's message: "He gave me a cold"
Latest Comments
- Well explained, thanks for the clarity! Daniel DantasDanieldantas20-12-2024
- This is the kind of 'news' that belongs in a cheap tabloid. No matter how boring the offseason gets, nobody wants to read this.
santiagobenites19-12-2024 - I wish we could have seen him try. He'd absolutely get dropped before Pogi overtakes his domestiquesVeganpotter10-12-2024
- Talk is cheap! Next year barring crashes with a healthy team... all well be on track! Some need to talk to make a headline!mootman27-11-2024
- I do not see this event listed on HBO Max Sports Online? Can anyone confirm? Thanks!
MrYuck23-11-2024 - It seemed that he was focusing forward at the time of the crash, after seeing a quick video snippet. But one thing I think he should focus on more intently is breaking a bad habit he has, right now. And that is his constant looking over his shoulders. He does that so much, that I am very sure it is not good for him. Simply watch videos of the greats of CX and you will see very little of that constant looking over their shoulders. That is a behavior that betrays a bit of insecurity on his part. He shouldn't be so concerned, incessantly, about what is over his shoulder. He needn't worry they didn't all disappear. He neds to keep his focus more ahead of himself, and he needs to pay a bit more attention to himself, in a confident manner. It is very frustrating to watch, because it is apparent that he has a lot of potential, and is in much better shape thwan many of his competitors, but the mental game needs to be sharpened more, because that part of strategy plays a huge part in the final results
reemmo022-11-2024 - hahahaha love this shit! I didnt even watched the race, but reading all the gossip articles of how stupid this is!Zatoichi19-11-2024
- Van Aert is really handsome. He can influence me all day! Ditto for Philipsen. Why do you think many of us love cycling?: to see heroic attempts at climbing mountains at high altitudes or to watch speedsters sprint for the finish line or to watch a human being ride at break neck speed down a tricky descent? No, it's all about their lean physiques and muscular legs. (apologies for objectifying these dedicated and amazing athletes).BarwonHeadsUp25-10-2024
- It is unfortunate that the author can't feel the joy that Pogacar brings to the sport and his fans who are legion and I for one feel lucky to have watched such a memorable performance and historic season From the Strada until yesterday with multiple wins in stages in both tours and beyond dominance in the World's. He is proud to wear the Rainbow stripes, shows his leadership to protect his fellows and is as courteous and sportsman-like as the sport allows. He goes early to not have to respond to each attack as all the rest would make him do it. Any racer who could would do the same. Don't "grow tired" of greatness as it is always fleeting.ccrider13-10-2024
- What load of rubbish. Pog is likely a once in a generation cyclist, the like of which hasn't been seen since 'the Cannibal '. How many people were complaining that Merckx was making racing predictable? I remember this year's World RR as one of the most exciting I've watched. Mainly BECAUSE Pog was the favourite and launched what everyone thought (Pog included) was a suicidal attack with 80km to go. For the next 2 hours, I was on the edge of my seat thinking "this is too much, even for Pog". Maybe Zonnefeld prefers the snooze-fest that is a bunch sprint? Like most people I know, I can't watch two hours of the bunch riding very fast... I wait for the final 5km and watch just the sprint. In any event, most races are won from a sprint or lone break. What difference does it make who makes the lone break? Ultimately, the other contenders will have to figure out a way to beat Pog. Even if that means collaboration between teams. It's going to be an exciting few seasons, until the next Pog arrives on the scene. If this is boring, heaven knows what exciting looks like!Michael513-10-2024