'I know I will suffer immensely' - Tim Merlier confirms long-awaited return after injury-plagued start to season

Soudal-QuickStep sprinter Tim Merlier has confirmed his long-awaited return to racing after an injury-plagued start to the 2026 season. The Belgian, who has been sidelined for the first two months due to persistent knee problems, is expected to line up at the upcoming Scheldeprijs. Merlier’s return offers a crucial boost to his team, which has felt the absence of his formidable sprint power in the early classics.

This comeback is significant for both Merlier and Soudal-QuickStep. The Belgian champion, a proven winner with multiple Grand Tour stage victories and a past Scheldeprijs title, has faced an uncharacteristically quiet start to his year, missing key early-season opportunities. His return to a race he's previously dominated signals an attempt to salvage his spring campaign and provide the 'Wolfpack' with a much-needed fast-finishing option, especially as the team navigates a period of transition and evolving sprint dynamics.

Merlier's return is welcome, though one wonders if a "suffering immensely" declaration is truly the confidence booster Soudal-QuickStep, or indeed his rivals, needed to hear.