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Tim Merlier Kicks Off Paris-Nice With Stage 1 Sprint Victory

Merlier starts Paris-Nice with a bang, tying for the victory lead. Démare, despite strong form, falls short in his quest to end a three-year winless streak.

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Tim Merlier Kicks Off Paris-Nice With Stage 1 Sprint Victory

Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step) kicked off Paris-Nice with a bang, securing a bunch sprint victory in the opening stage. Despite finding the stage challenging due to high speed and intensity, Merlier believes his performance level matches last year's, when he won five races by February's end.

Merlier currently ties for the lead in the 2025 victory chart with four wins, alongside Tadej Pogacar and Tom Pidcock. However, the Belgian sprinter refrains from declaring himself the best, focusing solely on winning races. He has already amassed five victories this season, including two at the AlUla Tour and two at the UAE Tour.

Arnaud Démare (Arkéa-B&B Hotels), who finished second in the stage, expressed dissatisfaction with his performance. Despite feeling strong and having good team support, Démare has not won a WorldTour race in three years.

Tim Merlier's Paris-Nice stage win reinforces his strong start to the season. Meanwhile, Arnaud Démare seeks to translate his potential into victories, aiming to end his three-year WorldTour drought.

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