{"id":1837050,"date":"2026-03-20T14:47:52","date_gmt":"2026-03-20T11:47:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1837050"},"modified":"2026-03-20T14:47:52","modified_gmt":"2026-03-20T11:47:52","slug":"i-know-i-will-suffer-immensely-tim-merlier-confirms-long-awaited-return-after-injury-plagued-start-to-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1837050","title":{"rendered":"&#8216;I know I will suffer immensely&#8217; &#8211; Tim Merlier confirms long-awaited return after injury-plagued start to season"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ssWT8HNmB6yfqEYs8rrqwS-1024-80.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTeams &amp; Riders\n<\/li>\n<li>\nSoudal-QuickStep\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTim Merlier\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>&#8216;I know I will suffer immensely&#8217; &#8211; Tim Merlier confirms long-awaited return after injury-plagued start to season<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"byline\">\nNews<\/p>\n<div class=\"text-[13px]\"><span><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nAlasdair Fotheringham <\/span><span><br \/>\npublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-03-20T14:47:52Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n20 March 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Soudal-QuickStep racer has been out of first two months of 2026 season because of knee problems<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"mx-auto mb-4 flex items-center justify-start mx-0 my-5 p-0\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-700 mb-2 text-[12px] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-gray-700 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ssWT8HNmB6yfqEYs8rrqwS-1024-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ssWT8HNmB6yfqEYs8rrqwS-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ssWT8HNmB6yfqEYs8rrqwS-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ssWT8HNmB6yfqEYs8rrqwS-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ssWT8HNmB6yfqEYs8rrqwS-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ssWT8HNmB6yfqEYs8rrqwS-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ssWT8HNmB6yfqEYs8rrqwS-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><figcaption class=\"mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Tim Merlier (l) at training camp in early 2026<\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"!m-0\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 sm:ml-1.5 font-base text-xs\"><span class=\"font-normal\">0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div role=\"dialog\" class=\"hidden fixed inset-0 z-[999999999999999999] bg-[#33333370] flex items-center justify-center p-6 newsletter-modal\" data-batch-endpoint=\"https:\/\/newsletter-subscribe.futureplc.com\/v2\/submission\/submit_batch\" data-batch-source=\"302\" data-component-name=\"Newsletter:Modal\">\n<div class=\"bg-neutral-100 rounded-xl shadow-xl w-full lg:w-2\/3 xl:w-1\/2 p-6 relative max-h-[95vh] overflow-y-auto\">\n<div id=\"newsletter-capture-modal\">\n<div class=\"sm:text-xl text-base font-bold text-black mb-3 p-0 bg-inherit font-ui-heading\">Get the Cyclingnews Newsletter<\/div>\n<p class=\"text-gray-600 mb-4 text-sm sm:text-base font-article-copy\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<div data-component-name=\"Newsletter:NewsletterForm\">\n<hr class=\"modal_hr mt-3 mb-4 h-px bg-gray-300 border-0\">\n<div class=\"modal_footer block text-left opacity-80 text-[.8em] leading-[1.3em] mt-2 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline font-article-copy\">\nBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation\" class=\"hidden\">\n<p class=\"sm:text-xl text-base font-bold text-black mb-3 p-0\">You are now subscribed<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-gray-600 mb-4 text-sm sm:text-base\">Your newsletter sign-up was successful<\/p>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation__userlogin\" class=\"hidden\">\n<hr class=\"my-5 h-px bg-gray-300 border-0\">\n<div class=\"items-start flex flex-col h-full justify-between\">\n<div class=\"flcw-text pb-5 pt-2 leading-[1.3]\"> An account already exists for this email address, please log in.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"4005b26e-74a9-4b05-a7b6-c69324014300\">After months of recovery from a knee injury, one of Belgium&#8217;s top sprint stars is back racing this Sunday in the Grote Prijs Jean-Pierre Monser\u00e9 in West Flanders, but is warning that he is not at all certain of what his race form will be like.<\/p>\n<p>Dogged by a knee injury that has kept him in the sick bay at a time when he usually races up multiple successes &#8211; last year by this point he already has six wins &#8211; 33-year-old Tim Merlier was due to take part at Nokere Koerse and Bredene Koksijde this week. But then he had to pull out.<\/p>\n<p id=\"4005b26e-74a9-4b05-a7b6-c69324014300-2\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Finally, due to take part in a race on home soil this Sunday in Roeselare, which he won in 2021, five years on, Merlier says he has no idea how he will perform. The only twin certainties, he told Het Laatste Nieuws in a brutally revealing interview, are that he wants to be back racing, but that he knows it will hurt.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"article-continues-below block py-2 text-sm\">Article continues below <\/span><\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mp23TvNGJLBxSGcA3VxfyU-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mp23TvNGJLBxSGcA3VxfyU-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;I can&#8217;t say what exactly the problem was&#8217; &#8211; Knee injury delays Tim Merlier&#8217;s 2026 season debut<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FEYdNVSyputrRdbEwSfzre-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FEYdNVSyputrRdbEwSfzre-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;We&#8217;ll see how things develop&#8217; &#8211; The UAE Tour stage win record holder will miss the 2026 edition following winter knee injury<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xr5j9kFnMyXsyGSXjkwkw8-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xr5j9kFnMyXsyGSXjkwkw8-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;We try to push the limits to be ready&#8217; \u2013 Mads Pedersen in a battle against time to return for Spring Classics, still not training fully on road after horrible crash<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;I want to finish the race and try to place myself in the final, but really breaking away in the sprint seems inconceivable. I see the race as a test and want to have some fun, although I know I will suffer immensely,&#8221; Merlier said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Merlier has been training for four weeks, he told the newspaper. However, after having to fly home early from three training camps due to the injury, it was only during a fourth camp in Spain last week that he was able to cycle for five hours continuously. &#8220;That hadn&#8217;t happened since September 6 last year,&#8221; he told HLN.<\/p>\n<p>His race in Montser\u00e9, dedicated to the Belgian World Champion of the early 1970s who died tragically young, will thus be a real challenge, but he&#8217;s ready to face it.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;My nerves are jangling, and I lie awake at night wondering if I will be able to keep up. There is even a bit of fear of failure. I am struggling with a lack of fitness. Right now, I am an experiment,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-tTgndwFn3wk6yDBc84qzTC\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-tTgndwFn3wk6yDBc84qzTC slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cIt is typical of me to want to prove that it is possible with less training, but it is against my better judgment.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Merlier opted for the GP Jean-Pierre Monser\u00e9 because it was the least demanding of the available options, rather than risk a more challenging start in other Classics or next week&#8217;s hilly Coppi e Bartali stage race in Italy.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">His race program afterwards remains something that will only be decided as he goes along, at least until the second half of April. A training camp is possible, given he&#8217;ll almost certainly have extra fitness work to do, but all being well, he already has the Scheldeprijs pencilled in.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isjNG5v5K5UhMX9b9SvyYY-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isjNG5v5K5UhMX9b9SvyYY-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;There&#8217;s inevitably going to be an impact on his plans&#8217; &#8211; after off-season domestic accident, Arnaud De Lie gets 2026 racing underway at Cl\u00e1sica Almer\u00eda<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RFEs6kzP32WQE3iwcWcnAg-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RFEs6kzP32WQE3iwcWcnAg-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;If I was a runner or anything else, I would be out for months&#8217; \u2013 Wout van Aert optimistic for refreshed approach in 2026 despite recent ankle fracture<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vYnjAnkE8eTGRKJMVYsRkD-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vYnjAnkE8eTGRKJMVYsRkD-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;My sprinting instinct is 100% still there&#8217; \u2013 Fabio Jakobsen hungry for success after double iliac artery surgery <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Other options are being categorically rejected, he said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Gent-Wevelgem next week? With this condition level, surely you can\u2019t expect me to ride a 250 km race,\u201d he asked rhetorically.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Of course, that is somewhere in the back of my mind, but I have to be realistic: that\u2019s not going to happen.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWevelgem and Paris-Roubaix are out of the question. I also don\u2019t want to put the rest of my season at risk. The most important thing will be to make it to the Belgian Championships and the Tour.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p id=\"c69ec8cd-d8ab-4f43-99d8-a682d2c96f9e\"><em><strong>Get unlimited access to our unrivalled <\/strong><\/em><em><strong>2026 Spring Classics<\/strong><\/em><em><strong> coverage with a Cyclingnews subscription. We&#8217;ll bring you breaking news, reports, and analysis from some of the biggest races on the calendar, including Milan-San Remo, Paris-Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders. <\/strong><\/em><u><em><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/em><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block\" id=\"articleTag\" data-component-name=\"PostArticleLinks\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"post-article-links\">\n<div class=\"border-b border-b-black border-solid py-2.5 text-black font-bold uppercase\">TOPICS<\/div>\n<nav class=\"py-2.5 flex gap-2.5 flex-wrap\" data-analytics-id=\"article-tag\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-tag\">\n<p>Road<\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-tTgndwFn3wk6yDBc84qzTC\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-tTgndwFn3wk6yDBc84qzTC slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5QLhaPay9asJvmaNsCjFVZ-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5QLhaPay9asJvmaNsCjFVZ.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5QLhaPay9asJvmaNsCjFVZ.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5QLhaPay9asJvmaNsCjFVZ.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Alasdair Fotheringham<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">Social Links Navigation<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Alasdair Fotheringham has been reporting on cycling since 1991. He has covered every Tour de France since 1992 bar one, as well as numerous other bike races of all shapes and sizes, ranging from the Olympic Games in 2008 to the now sadly defunct Subida a Urkiola hill climb in Spain. As well as working for <em>Cyclingnews<\/em>, he has also written for <em>The Independent<\/em>,\u00a0 <em>The Guardian<\/em>,\u00a0 <em>ProCycling<\/em>, <em>The Express<\/em> and <em>Reuters<\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"mt-6 lg:px-0 relative max-w-[1070px] mx-auto viafoura-twig-component px-4\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class='vfcustom-community-guidelines'&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-lg\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-sm\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mp23TvNGJLBxSGcA3VxfyU-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mp23TvNGJLBxSGcA3VxfyU-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mp23TvNGJLBxSGcA3VxfyU-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mp23TvNGJLBxSGcA3VxfyU-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mp23TvNGJLBxSGcA3VxfyU-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I can&#8217;t say what exactly the problem was&#8217; &#8211; Knee injury delays Tim Merlier&#8217;s 2026 season debut<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FEYdNVSyputrRdbEwSfzre-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FEYdNVSyputrRdbEwSfzre-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FEYdNVSyputrRdbEwSfzre-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FEYdNVSyputrRdbEwSfzre-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FEYdNVSyputrRdbEwSfzre-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We&#8217;ll see how things develop&#8217; &#8211; The UAE Tour stage win record holder will miss the 2026 edition following winter knee injury<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xr5j9kFnMyXsyGSXjkwkw8-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xr5j9kFnMyXsyGSXjkwkw8-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xr5j9kFnMyXsyGSXjkwkw8-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xr5j9kFnMyXsyGSXjkwkw8-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xr5j9kFnMyXsyGSXjkwkw8-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We try to push the limits to be ready&#8217; \u2013 Mads Pedersen in a battle against time to return for Spring Classics, still not training fully on road after horrible crash<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isjNG5v5K5UhMX9b9SvyYY-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isjNG5v5K5UhMX9b9SvyYY-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isjNG5v5K5UhMX9b9SvyYY-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isjNG5v5K5UhMX9b9SvyYY-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isjNG5v5K5UhMX9b9SvyYY-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;There&#8217;s inevitably going to be an impact on his plans&#8217; &#8211; after off-season domestic accident, Arnaud De Lie gets 2026 racing underway at Cl\u00e1sica Almer\u00eda<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RFEs6kzP32WQE3iwcWcnAg-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RFEs6kzP32WQE3iwcWcnAg-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RFEs6kzP32WQE3iwcWcnAg-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RFEs6kzP32WQE3iwcWcnAg-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RFEs6kzP32WQE3iwcWcnAg-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Training Camps<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;If I was a runner or anything else, I would be out for months&#8217; \u2013 Wout van Aert optimistic for refreshed approach in 2026 despite recent ankle fracture<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vYnjAnkE8eTGRKJMVYsRkD-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vYnjAnkE8eTGRKJMVYsRkD-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vYnjAnkE8eTGRKJMVYsRkD-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vYnjAnkE8eTGRKJMVYsRkD-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vYnjAnkE8eTGRKJMVYsRkD-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Training Camps<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;My sprinting instinct is 100% still there&#8217; \u2013 Fabio Jakobsen hungry for success after double iliac artery surgery <\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Teams &amp; Riders<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5BGUKXTteaLqNta4RB7vGf-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5BGUKXTteaLqNta4RB7vGf-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5BGUKXTteaLqNta4RB7vGf-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5BGUKXTteaLqNta4RB7vGf-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5BGUKXTteaLqNta4RB7vGf-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Who will be king of the spring? \u2013 How Milan-San Remo could write the next chapter of Tadej Poga\u010dar and Mathieu van der Poel&#8217;s thrilling rivalry<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Q3CAPoqs8g9qL6prLa4ayH-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Q3CAPoqs8g9qL6prLa4ayH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Q3CAPoqs8g9qL6prLa4ayH-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Q3CAPoqs8g9qL6prLa4ayH-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Q3CAPoqs8g9qL6prLa4ayH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It is fantastic to have one more card to play&#8217; \u2013 Ineos Grenadiers look to Josh Tarling as a wildcard for Milan-San Remo alongside Filippo Ganna<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/neZMYx3MQA8zApfKZG6mkE-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/neZMYx3MQA8zApfKZG6mkE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/neZMYx3MQA8zApfKZG6mkE-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/neZMYx3MQA8zApfKZG6mkE-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/neZMYx3MQA8zApfKZG6mkE-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Stuck on Mount Teide because of the snow&#8217; &#8211; Remco Evenepoel&#8217;s participation in the Volta a Catalunya flung into doubt <\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3WRAiq5aZ2MofNZoiowwkF-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3WRAiq5aZ2MofNZoiowwkF-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3WRAiq5aZ2MofNZoiowwkF-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3WRAiq5aZ2MofNZoiowwkF-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3WRAiq5aZ2MofNZoiowwkF-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Blow for Visma-Lease a Bike as Matthew Brennan withdraws from Milan-San Remo<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S3wLQsSdFyZtUhu4n62MLA-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S3wLQsSdFyZtUhu4n62MLA-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S3wLQsSdFyZtUhu4n62MLA-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S3wLQsSdFyZtUhu4n62MLA-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S3wLQsSdFyZtUhu4n62MLA-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;A simple race, but also very complex&#8217; \u2013 Marianne Vos among the top contenders at Milan-San Remo once again<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hBSAgdZiFtcKyt2LfzpSmG-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hBSAgdZiFtcKyt2LfzpSmG-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hBSAgdZiFtcKyt2LfzpSmG-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hBSAgdZiFtcKyt2LfzpSmG-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hBSAgdZiFtcKyt2LfzpSmG-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Milan-San Remo is different, it&#8217;s very explosive&#8217; &#8211; Tom Pidcock says positioning at Cipressa, not good shape at Milano-Torino, is primary indicator for success on Saturday<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in News<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4utJc52xtELdQcJovSNtXX-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4utJc52xtELdQcJovSNtXX-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4utJc52xtELdQcJovSNtXX-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4utJc52xtELdQcJovSNtXX-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4utJc52xtELdQcJovSNtXX-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Rules<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Alec Segaert given yellow card for &#8216;non-compliant position&#8217; during GP de Denain raid<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JtYB6FjBhJpF9S7HxHAawe-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JtYB6FjBhJpF9S7HxHAawe-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JtYB6FjBhJpF9S7HxHAawe-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JtYB6FjBhJpF9S7HxHAawe-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JtYB6FjBhJpF9S7HxHAawe-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;A women&#8217;s Il Lombardia will happen but it&#8217;s complicated&#8217; \u2013 RCS Sport working on creating the missing women&#8217;s Monument<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Q3CAPoqs8g9qL6prLa4ayH-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Q3CAPoqs8g9qL6prLa4ayH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Q3CAPoqs8g9qL6prLa4ayH-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Q3CAPoqs8g9qL6prLa4ayH-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Q3CAPoqs8g9qL6prLa4ayH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It is fantastic to have one more card to play&#8217; \u2013 Ineos Grenadiers look to Josh Tarling as a wildcard for Milan-San Remo alongside Filippo Ganna<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/e9D8s4LGq9vnKFntCESgLi-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/e9D8s4LGq9vnKFntCESgLi-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/e9D8s4LGq9vnKFntCESgLi-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/e9D8s4LGq9vnKFntCESgLi-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/e9D8s4LGq9vnKFntCESgLi-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Illness forces Italian champion Elisa Longo Borghini to pull out of Milan-San Remo Women<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/neZMYx3MQA8zApfKZG6mkE-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/neZMYx3MQA8zApfKZG6mkE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/neZMYx3MQA8zApfKZG6mkE-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/neZMYx3MQA8zApfKZG6mkE-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/neZMYx3MQA8zApfKZG6mkE-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Stuck on Mount Teide because of the snow&#8217; &#8211; Remco Evenepoel&#8217;s participation in the Volta a Catalunya flung into doubt <\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3WRAiq5aZ2MofNZoiowwkF-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3WRAiq5aZ2MofNZoiowwkF-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3WRAiq5aZ2MofNZoiowwkF-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3WRAiq5aZ2MofNZoiowwkF-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3WRAiq5aZ2MofNZoiowwkF-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Blow for Visma-Lease a Bike as Matthew Brennan withdraws from Milan-San Remo<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-popularBox\" class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice popularBox slice-container-popularBox\">\n<section data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"popular-box\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">LATEST ARTICLES<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div><source class=\"popular-box__article-list__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JtYB6FjBhJpF9S7HxHAawe-320-80.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JtYB6FjBhJpF9S7HxHAawe-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JtYB6FjBhJpF9S7HxHAawe-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JtYB6FjBhJpF9S7HxHAawe-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JtYB6FjBhJpF9S7HxHAawe.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JtYB6FjBhJpF9S7HxHAawe.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JtYB6FjBhJpF9S7HxHAawe.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;A women&#8217;s Il Lombardia will happen but it&#8217;s complicated&#8217; \u2013 RCS Sport working on creating the missing women&#8217;s Monument<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Who will be king of the spring? \u2013 How Milan-San Remo could write the next chapter of Tadej Poga\u010dar and Mathieu van der Poel&#8217;s thrilling rivalry<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;It is fantastic to have one more card to play&#8217; \u2013 Ineos Grenadiers look to Josh Tarling as a wildcard for Milan-San Remo alongside Filippo Ganna<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Illness forces Italian champion Elisa Longo Borghini to pull out of Milan-San Remo Women<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;Stuck on Mount Teide because of the snow&#8217; &#8211; Remco Evenepoel&#8217;s participation in the Volta a Catalunya flung into doubt <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTeams &amp; Riders\n<\/li>\n<li>\nSoudal-QuickStep\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTim Merlier\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>&#8216;I know I will suffer immensely&#8217; &#8211; Tim Merlier confirms long-awaited return after injury-plagued start to season<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"byline\">\nNews<\/p>\n<div class=\"text-[13px]\"><span><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nAlasdair Fotheringham <\/span><span><br \/>\npublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-03-20T14:47:52Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n20 March 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Soudal-QuickStep racer has been out of first two months of 2026 season because of knee problems<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"mx-auto mb-4 flex items-center justify-start mx-0 my-5 p-0\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-700 mb-2 text-[12px] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-gray-700 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ssWT8HNmB6yfqEYs8rrqwS-1024-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ssWT8HNmB6yfqEYs8rrqwS-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ssWT8HNmB6yfqEYs8rrqwS-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ssWT8HNmB6yfqEYs8rrqwS-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ssWT8HNmB6yfqEYs8rrqwS-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ssWT8HNmB6yfqEYs8rrqwS-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ssWT8HNmB6yfqEYs8rrqwS-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><figcaption class=\"mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Tim Merlier (l) at training camp in early 2026<\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"!m-0\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 sm:ml-1.5 font-base text-xs\"><span class=\"font-normal\">0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div role=\"dialog\" class=\"hidden fixed inset-0 z-[999999999999999999] bg-[#33333370] flex items-center justify-center p-6 newsletter-modal\" data-batch-endpoint=\"https:\/\/newsletter-subscribe.futureplc.com\/v2\/submission\/submit_batch\" data-batch-source=\"302\" data-component-name=\"Newsletter:Modal\">\n<div class=\"bg-neutral-100 rounded-xl shadow-xl w-full lg:w-2\/3 xl:w-1\/2 p-6 relative max-h-[95vh] overflow-y-auto\">\n<div id=\"newsletter-capture-modal\">\n<div class=\"sm:text-xl text-base font-bold text-black mb-3 p-0 bg-inherit font-ui-heading\">Get the Cyclingnews Newsletter<\/div>\n<p class=\"text-gray-600 mb-4 text-sm sm:text-base font-article-copy\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<div data-component-name=\"Newsletter:NewsletterForm\">\n<hr class=\"modal_hr mt-3 mb-4 h-px bg-gray-300 border-0\">\n<div class=\"modal_footer block text-left opacity-80 text-[.8em] leading-[1.3em] mt-2 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline font-article-copy\">\nBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation\" class=\"hidden\">\n<p class=\"sm:text-xl text-base font-bold text-black mb-3 p-0\">You are now subscribed<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-gray-600 mb-4 text-sm sm:text-base\">Your newsletter sign-up was successful<\/p>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation__userlogin\" class=\"hidden\">\n<hr class=\"my-5 h-px bg-gray-300 border-0\">\n<div class=\"items-start flex flex-col h-full justify-between\">\n<div class=\"flcw-text pb-5 pt-2 leading-[1.3]\"> An account already exists for this email address, please log in.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"4005b26e-74a9-4b05-a7b6-c69324014300\">After months of recovery from a knee injury, one of Belgium&#8217;s top sprint stars is back racing this Sunday in the Grote Prijs Jean-Pierre Monser\u00e9 in West Flanders, but is warning that he is not at all certain of what his race form will be like.<\/p>\n<p>Dogged by a knee injury that has kept him in the sick bay at a time when he usually races up multiple successes &#8211; last year by this point he already has six wins &#8211; 33-year-old Tim Merlier was due to take part at Nokere Koerse and Bredene Koksijde this week. But then he had to pull out.<\/p>\n<p id=\"4005b26e-74a9-4b05-a7b6-c69324014300-2\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Finally, due to take part in a race on home soil this Sunday in Roeselare, which he won in 2021, five years on, Merlier says he has no idea how he will perform. The only twin certainties, he told Het Laatste Nieuws in a brutally revealing interview, are that he wants to be back racing, but that he knows it will hurt.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"article-continues-below block py-2 text-sm\">Article continues below <\/span><\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mp23TvNGJLBxSGcA3VxfyU-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mp23TvNGJLBxSGcA3VxfyU-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;I can&#8217;t say what exactly the problem was&#8217; &#8211; Knee injury delays Tim Merlier&#8217;s 2026 season debut<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FEYdNVSyputrRdbEwSfzre-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FEYdNVSyputrRdbEwSfzre-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;We&#8217;ll see how things develop&#8217; &#8211; The UAE Tour stage win record holder will miss the 2026 edition following winter knee injury<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xr5j9kFnMyXsyGSXjkwkw8-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xr5j9kFnMyXsyGSXjkwkw8-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;We try to push the limits to be ready&#8217; \u2013 Mads Pedersen in a battle against time to return for Spring Classics, still not training fully on road after horrible crash<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;I want to finish the race and try to place myself in the final, but really breaking away in the sprint seems inconceivable. I see the race as a test and want to have some fun, although I know I will suffer immensely,&#8221; Merlier said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Merlier has been training for four weeks, he told the newspaper. However, after having to fly home early from three training camps due to the injury, it was only during a fourth camp in Spain last week that he was able to cycle for five hours continuously. &#8220;That hadn&#8217;t happened since September 6 last year,&#8221; he told HLN.<\/p>\n<p>His race in Montser\u00e9, dedicated to the Belgian World Champion of the early 1970s who died tragically young, will thus be a real challenge, but he&#8217;s ready to face it.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;My nerves are jangling, and I lie awake at night wondering if I will be able to keep up. There is even a bit of fear of failure. I am struggling with a lack of fitness. Right now, I am an experiment,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-tTgndwFn3wk6yDBc84qzTC\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-tTgndwFn3wk6yDBc84qzTC slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cIt is typical of me to want to prove that it is possible with less training, but it is against my better judgment.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Merlier opted for the GP Jean-Pierre Monser\u00e9 because it was the least demanding of the available options, rather than risk a more challenging start in other Classics or next week&#8217;s hilly Coppi e Bartali stage race in Italy.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">His race program afterwards remains something that will only be decided as he goes along, at least until the second half of April. A training camp is possible, given he&#8217;ll almost certainly have extra fitness work to do, but all being well, he already has the Scheldeprijs pencilled in.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isjNG5v5K5UhMX9b9SvyYY-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isjNG5v5K5UhMX9b9SvyYY-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;There&#8217;s inevitably going to be an impact on his plans&#8217; &#8211; after off-season domestic accident, Arnaud De Lie gets 2026 racing underway at Cl\u00e1sica Almer\u00eda<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RFEs6kzP32WQE3iwcWcnAg-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RFEs6kzP32WQE3iwcWcnAg-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;If I was a runner or anything else, I would be out for months&#8217; \u2013 Wout van Aert optimistic for refreshed approach in 2026 despite recent ankle fracture<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vYnjAnkE8eTGRKJMVYsRkD-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vYnjAnkE8eTGRKJMVYsRkD-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;My sprinting instinct is 100% still there&#8217; \u2013 Fabio Jakobsen hungry for success after double iliac artery surgery <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Other options are being categorically rejected, he said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Gent-Wevelgem next week? With this condition level, surely you can\u2019t expect me to ride a 250 km race,\u201d he asked rhetorically.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Of course, that is somewhere in the back of my mind, but I have to be realistic: that\u2019s not going to happen.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWevelgem and Paris-Roubaix are out of the question. I also don\u2019t want to put the rest of my season at risk. The most important thing will be to make it to the Belgian Championships and the Tour.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p id=\"c69ec8cd-d8ab-4f43-99d8-a682d2c96f9e\"><em><strong>Get unlimited access to our unrivalled <\/strong><\/em><em><strong>2026 Spring Classics<\/strong><\/em><em><strong> coverage with a Cyclingnews subscription. We&#8217;ll bring you breaking news, reports, and analysis from some of the biggest races on the calendar, including Milan-San Remo, Paris-Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders. <\/strong><\/em><u><em><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/em><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block\" id=\"articleTag\" data-component-name=\"PostArticleLinks\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"post-article-links\">\n<div class=\"border-b border-b-black border-solid py-2.5 text-black font-bold uppercase\">TOPICS<\/div>\n<nav class=\"py-2.5 flex gap-2.5 flex-wrap\" data-analytics-id=\"article-tag\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-tag\">\n<p>Road<\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-tTgndwFn3wk6yDBc84qzTC\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-tTgndwFn3wk6yDBc84qzTC slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5QLhaPay9asJvmaNsCjFVZ-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5QLhaPay9asJvmaNsCjFVZ.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5QLhaPay9asJvmaNsCjFVZ.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5QLhaPay9asJvmaNsCjFVZ.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Alasdair Fotheringham<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">Social Links Navigation<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Alasdair Fotheringham has been reporting on cycling since 1991. He has covered every Tour de France since 1992 bar one, as well as numerous other bike races of all shapes and sizes, ranging from the Olympic Games in 2008 to the now sadly defunct Subida a Urkiola hill climb in Spain. As well as working for <em>Cyclingnews<\/em>, he has also written for <em>The Independent<\/em>,\u00a0 <em>The Guardian<\/em>,\u00a0 <em>ProCycling<\/em>, <em>The Express<\/em> and <em>Reuters<\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"mt-6 lg:px-0 relative max-w-[1070px] mx-auto viafoura-twig-component px-4\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class='vfcustom-community-guidelines'&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-lg\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-sm\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mp23TvNGJLBxSGcA3VxfyU-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mp23TvNGJLBxSGcA3VxfyU-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mp23TvNGJLBxSGcA3VxfyU-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mp23TvNGJLBxSGcA3VxfyU-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mp23TvNGJLBxSGcA3VxfyU-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I can&#8217;t say what exactly the problem was&#8217; &#8211; Knee injury delays Tim Merlier&#8217;s 2026 season debut<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FEYdNVSyputrRdbEwSfzre-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FEYdNVSyputrRdbEwSfzre-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FEYdNVSyputrRdbEwSfzre-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FEYdNVSyputrRdbEwSfzre-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FEYdNVSyputrRdbEwSfzre-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We&#8217;ll see how things develop&#8217; &#8211; The UAE Tour stage win record holder will miss the 2026 edition following winter knee injury<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xr5j9kFnMyXsyGSXjkwkw8-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xr5j9kFnMyXsyGSXjkwkw8-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xr5j9kFnMyXsyGSXjkwkw8-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xr5j9kFnMyXsyGSXjkwkw8-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xr5j9kFnMyXsyGSXjkwkw8-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We try to push the limits to be ready&#8217; \u2013 Mads Pedersen in a battle against time to return for Spring Classics, still not training fully on road after horrible crash<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isjNG5v5K5UhMX9b9SvyYY-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isjNG5v5K5UhMX9b9SvyYY-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isjNG5v5K5UhMX9b9SvyYY-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isjNG5v5K5UhMX9b9SvyYY-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isjNG5v5K5UhMX9b9SvyYY-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;There&#8217;s inevitably going to be an impact on his plans&#8217; &#8211; after off-season domestic accident, Arnaud De Lie gets 2026 racing underway at Cl\u00e1sica Almer\u00eda<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RFEs6kzP32WQE3iwcWcnAg-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RFEs6kzP32WQE3iwcWcnAg-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RFEs6kzP32WQE3iwcWcnAg-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RFEs6kzP32WQE3iwcWcnAg-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RFEs6kzP32WQE3iwcWcnAg-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Training Camps<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;If I was a runner or anything else, I would be out for months&#8217; \u2013 Wout van Aert optimistic for refreshed approach in 2026 despite recent ankle fracture<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vYnjAnkE8eTGRKJMVYsRkD-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vYnjAnkE8eTGRKJMVYsRkD-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vYnjAnkE8eTGRKJMVYsRkD-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vYnjAnkE8eTGRKJMVYsRkD-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vYnjAnkE8eTGRKJMVYsRkD-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Training Camps<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;My sprinting instinct is 100% still there&#8217; \u2013 Fabio Jakobsen hungry for success after double iliac artery surgery <\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Teams &amp; Riders<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5BGUKXTteaLqNta4RB7vGf-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5BGUKXTteaLqNta4RB7vGf-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5BGUKXTteaLqNta4RB7vGf-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5BGUKXTteaLqNta4RB7vGf-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5BGUKXTteaLqNta4RB7vGf-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Who will be king of the spring? \u2013 How Milan-San Remo could write the next chapter of Tadej Poga\u010dar and Mathieu van der Poel&#8217;s thrilling rivalry<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Q3CAPoqs8g9qL6prLa4ayH-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Q3CAPoqs8g9qL6prLa4ayH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Q3CAPoqs8g9qL6prLa4ayH-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Q3CAPoqs8g9qL6prLa4ayH-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Q3CAPoqs8g9qL6prLa4ayH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It is fantastic to have one more card to play&#8217; \u2013 Ineos Grenadiers look to Josh Tarling as a wildcard for Milan-San Remo alongside Filippo Ganna<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/neZMYx3MQA8zApfKZG6mkE-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/neZMYx3MQA8zApfKZG6mkE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/neZMYx3MQA8zApfKZG6mkE-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/neZMYx3MQA8zApfKZG6mkE-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/neZMYx3MQA8zApfKZG6mkE-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Stuck on Mount Teide because of the snow&#8217; &#8211; Remco Evenepoel&#8217;s participation in the Volta a Catalunya flung into doubt <\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3WRAiq5aZ2MofNZoiowwkF-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3WRAiq5aZ2MofNZoiowwkF-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3WRAiq5aZ2MofNZoiowwkF-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3WRAiq5aZ2MofNZoiowwkF-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3WRAiq5aZ2MofNZoiowwkF-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Blow for Visma-Lease a Bike as Matthew Brennan withdraws from Milan-San Remo<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S3wLQsSdFyZtUhu4n62MLA-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S3wLQsSdFyZtUhu4n62MLA-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S3wLQsSdFyZtUhu4n62MLA-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S3wLQsSdFyZtUhu4n62MLA-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S3wLQsSdFyZtUhu4n62MLA-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;A simple race, but also very complex&#8217; \u2013 Marianne Vos among the top contenders at Milan-San Remo once again<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hBSAgdZiFtcKyt2LfzpSmG-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hBSAgdZiFtcKyt2LfzpSmG-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hBSAgdZiFtcKyt2LfzpSmG-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hBSAgdZiFtcKyt2LfzpSmG-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hBSAgdZiFtcKyt2LfzpSmG-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Milan-San Remo is different, it&#8217;s very explosive&#8217; &#8211; Tom Pidcock says positioning at Cipressa, not good shape at Milano-Torino, is primary indicator for success on Saturday<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in News<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4utJc52xtELdQcJovSNtXX-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4utJc52xtELdQcJovSNtXX-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4utJc52xtELdQcJovSNtXX-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4utJc52xtELdQcJovSNtXX-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4utJc52xtELdQcJovSNtXX-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Rules<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Alec Segaert given yellow card for &#8216;non-compliant position&#8217; during GP de Denain raid<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JtYB6FjBhJpF9S7HxHAawe-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JtYB6FjBhJpF9S7HxHAawe-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JtYB6FjBhJpF9S7HxHAawe-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JtYB6FjBhJpF9S7HxHAawe-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JtYB6FjBhJpF9S7HxHAawe-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;A women&#8217;s Il Lombardia will happen but it&#8217;s complicated&#8217; \u2013 RCS Sport working on creating the missing women&#8217;s Monument<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Q3CAPoqs8g9qL6prLa4ayH-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Q3CAPoqs8g9qL6prLa4ayH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Q3CAPoqs8g9qL6prLa4ayH-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Q3CAPoqs8g9qL6prLa4ayH-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Q3CAPoqs8g9qL6prLa4ayH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It is fantastic to have one more card to play&#8217; \u2013 Ineos Grenadiers look to Josh Tarling as a wildcard for Milan-San Remo alongside Filippo Ganna<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/e9D8s4LGq9vnKFntCESgLi-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/e9D8s4LGq9vnKFntCESgLi-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/e9D8s4LGq9vnKFntCESgLi-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/e9D8s4LGq9vnKFntCESgLi-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/e9D8s4LGq9vnKFntCESgLi-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Illness forces Italian champion Elisa Longo Borghini to pull out of Milan-San Remo Women<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/neZMYx3MQA8zApfKZG6mkE-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/neZMYx3MQA8zApfKZG6mkE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/neZMYx3MQA8zApfKZG6mkE-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/neZMYx3MQA8zApfKZG6mkE-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/neZMYx3MQA8zApfKZG6mkE-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Stuck on Mount Teide because of the snow&#8217; &#8211; Remco Evenepoel&#8217;s participation in the Volta a Catalunya flung into doubt <\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3WRAiq5aZ2MofNZoiowwkF-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3WRAiq5aZ2MofNZoiowwkF-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3WRAiq5aZ2MofNZoiowwkF-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3WRAiq5aZ2MofNZoiowwkF-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3WRAiq5aZ2MofNZoiowwkF-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Blow for Visma-Lease a Bike as Matthew Brennan withdraws from Milan-San Remo<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-popularBox\" class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice popularBox slice-container-popularBox\">\n<section data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"popular-box\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">LATEST ARTICLES<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div><source class=\"popular-box__article-list__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JtYB6FjBhJpF9S7HxHAawe-320-80.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JtYB6FjBhJpF9S7HxHAawe-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JtYB6FjBhJpF9S7HxHAawe-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JtYB6FjBhJpF9S7HxHAawe-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JtYB6FjBhJpF9S7HxHAawe.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JtYB6FjBhJpF9S7HxHAawe.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JtYB6FjBhJpF9S7HxHAawe.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;A women&#8217;s Il Lombardia will happen but it&#8217;s complicated&#8217; \u2013 RCS Sport working on creating the missing women&#8217;s Monument<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Who will be king of the spring? \u2013 How Milan-San Remo could write the next chapter of Tadej Poga\u010dar and Mathieu van der Poel&#8217;s thrilling rivalry<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;It is fantastic to have one more card to play&#8217; \u2013 Ineos Grenadiers look to Josh Tarling as a wildcard for Milan-San Remo alongside Filippo Ganna<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Illness forces Italian champion Elisa Longo Borghini to pull out of Milan-San Remo Women<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;Stuck on Mount Teide because of the snow&#8217; &#8211; Remco Evenepoel&#8217;s participation in the Volta a Catalunya flung into doubt <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTeams &amp; Riders\n<\/li>\n<li>\nSoudal-QuickStep\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTim Merlier\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>&#8216;I know I will suffer immensely&#8217; &#8211; Tim Merlier confirms long-awaited return after injury-plagued start to season<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"byline\">\nNews<\/p>\n<div class=\"text-[13px]\"><span><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nAlasdair Fotheringham <\/span><span><br \/>\npublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-03-20T14:47:52Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n20 March 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Soudal-QuickStep racer has been out of first two months of 2026 season because of knee problems<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"mx-auto mb-4 flex items-center justify-start mx-0 my-5 p-0\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-700 mb-2 text-[12px] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-gray-700 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. 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Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation\" class=\"hidden\">\n<p class=\"sm:text-xl text-base font-bold text-black mb-3 p-0\">You are now subscribed<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-gray-600 mb-4 text-sm sm:text-base\">Your newsletter sign-up was successful<\/p>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation__userlogin\" class=\"hidden\">\n<hr class=\"my-5 h-px bg-gray-300 border-0\">\n<div class=\"items-start flex flex-col h-full justify-between\">\n<div class=\"flcw-text pb-5 pt-2 leading-[1.3]\"> An account already exists for this email address, please log in.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"4005b26e-74a9-4b05-a7b6-c69324014300\">After months of recovery from a knee injury, one of Belgium&#8217;s top sprint stars is back racing this Sunday in the Grote Prijs Jean-Pierre Monser\u00e9 in West Flanders, but is warning that he is not at all certain of what his race form will be like.<\/p>\n<p>Dogged by a knee injury that has kept him in the sick bay at a time when he usually races up multiple successes &#8211; last year by this point he already has six wins &#8211; 33-year-old Tim Merlier was due to take part at Nokere Koerse and Bredene Koksijde this week. But then he had to pull out.<\/p>\n<p id=\"4005b26e-74a9-4b05-a7b6-c69324014300-2\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Finally, due to take part in a race on home soil this Sunday in Roeselare, which he won in 2021, five years on, Merlier says he has no idea how he will perform. The only twin certainties, he told Het Laatste Nieuws in a brutally revealing interview, are that he wants to be back racing, but that he knows it will hurt.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"article-continues-below block py-2 text-sm\">Article continues below <\/span><\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mp23TvNGJLBxSGcA3VxfyU-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mp23TvNGJLBxSGcA3VxfyU-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;I can&#8217;t say what exactly the problem was&#8217; &#8211; Knee injury delays Tim Merlier&#8217;s 2026 season debut<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FEYdNVSyputrRdbEwSfzre-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FEYdNVSyputrRdbEwSfzre-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;We&#8217;ll see how things develop&#8217; &#8211; The UAE Tour stage win record holder will miss the 2026 edition following winter knee injury<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xr5j9kFnMyXsyGSXjkwkw8-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xr5j9kFnMyXsyGSXjkwkw8-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;We try to push the limits to be ready&#8217; \u2013 Mads Pedersen in a battle against time to return for Spring Classics, still not training fully on road after horrible crash<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;I want to finish the race and try to place myself in the final, but really breaking away in the sprint seems inconceivable. I see the race as a test and want to have some fun, although I know I will suffer immensely,&#8221; Merlier said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Merlier has been training for four weeks, he told the newspaper. However, after having to fly home early from three training camps due to the injury, it was only during a fourth camp in Spain last week that he was able to cycle for five hours continuously. &#8220;That hadn&#8217;t happened since September 6 last year,&#8221; he told HLN.<\/p>\n<p>His race in Montser\u00e9, dedicated to the Belgian World Champion of the early 1970s who died tragically young, will thus be a real challenge, but he&#8217;s ready to face it.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;My nerves are jangling, and I lie awake at night wondering if I will be able to keep up. There is even a bit of fear of failure. I am struggling with a lack of fitness. Right now, I am an experiment,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-tTgndwFn3wk6yDBc84qzTC\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-tTgndwFn3wk6yDBc84qzTC slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cIt is typical of me to want to prove that it is possible with less training, but it is against my better judgment.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Merlier opted for the GP Jean-Pierre Monser\u00e9 because it was the least demanding of the available options, rather than risk a more challenging start in other Classics or next week&#8217;s hilly Coppi e Bartali stage race in Italy.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">His race program afterwards remains something that will only be decided as he goes along, at least until the second half of April. A training camp is possible, given he&#8217;ll almost certainly have extra fitness work to do, but all being well, he already has the Scheldeprijs pencilled in.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isjNG5v5K5UhMX9b9SvyYY-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isjNG5v5K5UhMX9b9SvyYY-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;There&#8217;s inevitably going to be an impact on his plans&#8217; &#8211; after off-season domestic accident, Arnaud De Lie gets 2026 racing underway at Cl\u00e1sica Almer\u00eda<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RFEs6kzP32WQE3iwcWcnAg-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RFEs6kzP32WQE3iwcWcnAg-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;If I was a runner or anything else, I would be out for months&#8217; \u2013 Wout van Aert optimistic for refreshed approach in 2026 despite recent ankle fracture<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vYnjAnkE8eTGRKJMVYsRkD-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vYnjAnkE8eTGRKJMVYsRkD-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;My sprinting instinct is 100% still there&#8217; \u2013 Fabio Jakobsen hungry for success after double iliac artery surgery <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Other options are being categorically rejected, he said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Gent-Wevelgem next week? With this condition level, surely you can\u2019t expect me to ride a 250 km race,\u201d he asked rhetorically.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Of course, that is somewhere in the back of my mind, but I have to be realistic: that\u2019s not going to happen.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWevelgem and Paris-Roubaix are out of the question. I also don\u2019t want to put the rest of my season at risk. The most important thing will be to make it to the Belgian Championships and the Tour.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p id=\"c69ec8cd-d8ab-4f43-99d8-a682d2c96f9e\"><em><strong>Get unlimited access to our unrivalled <\/strong><\/em><em><strong>2026 Spring Classics<\/strong><\/em><em><strong> coverage with a Cyclingnews subscription. We&#8217;ll bring you breaking news, reports, and analysis from some of the biggest races on the calendar, including Milan-San Remo, Paris-Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders. <\/strong><\/em><u><em><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/em><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/teams-riders\/i-know-i-will-suffer-immensely-tim-merlier-confirms-long-awaited-return-after-injury-plagued-start-to-season\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ssWT8HNmB6yfqEYs8rrqwS-1024-80.jpg&#8221;] Pro Cycling Teams &amp; Riders Soudal-QuickStep Tim Merlier &#8216;I know I will suffer immensely&#8217; &#8211; Tim Merlier confirms long-awaited return after injury-plagued start to season News By Alasdair Fotheringham published 20 March 2026 Soudal-QuickStep racer has been out of first two months of 2026 season because of knee problems When you purchase [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,68],"class_list":["post-1837050","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-cyclingnews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1837050","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1837050"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1837050\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1837050"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1837050"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1837050"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}