Tim Merlier (Alpecin-Fenix) has added his name to the roll of honor of Danilith Nokere Koerse. In a predicted mass sprint, the home rider fully lived up to his role as favorite. Merlier attacked early on the Nokereberg and only one man, Max Walscheid, was able to stay in his wake for a while. Birthday boy Arnaud De Lie – only 20 – came from far too back and had to settle for a fine third place.

Although the course with 25 kilometers of cobblestones invited spectacle, a real selection failed to materialize. It was stop and go, interspersed with some skirmishes and short attacks. Both a group of five and later a pursuing quartet were allowed to dream for a while, but the peloton kept the margin limited. Lotto-Soudal and Alpecin-Fenix were determined: this edition had to end in a sprint.

In the run-up to the final kilometer, it became nervous. De Lie allowed himself to be boxed in a little too easily and therefore started a hopeless catch-up race. For Merlier, it looked very different. In his first participation, he had prepared his homework down to the last detail. When the space opened up at the right moment, he didn’t hesitate for a second. With a powerful, long sprint, he put everyone in their place. Rocket Merlier proved to be in a class of his own: he stormed to a convincing victory.

A deserved and popular home victory, and again a memorable final on the cobblestones of Nokere.