A disaster was narrowly avoided at the GP de l’Escaut. After crossing the finish line, Tim Merlier wanted to start in the opposite direction, but he found himself facing a group of runners running at full speed. Fortunately, he managed to get to safety just in time.
Ninth in the Belgian semi-classic, the Belgian rider was no doubt in a hurry to join his team bus.
Once the finish line was crossed, he congratulated the Norwegian Alexander Kristoff, who won alone to claim his second victory in this Scheldt GP (2015), before setting off again in the opposite direction.
A very bad idea. Because after having traveled a few meters, he saw several runners tumbling at high speed and ready to fight in the sprint for the places of honor. But the rider from Alpecin-Fenix had the right reflex.
“He’s going straight into the race!”@MerlierTim had to take evasive action at #SP22 after riding back down the course into a bunch sprint pic.twitter.com/cOHRodfvz4
— Eurosport (@eurosport) April 6, 2022
He quickly got off his bike before passing it over the security barriers which he himself jumped over, finding himself in the middle of the spectators. The accident was thus narrowly avoided, but Tim Merlier was probably scared.