It is stage 12 of the Tour de France, of which Tim Merlier has already won three, including today's. The Belgian should be cock-a-hoop, over the moon, jumping for joy, and he is, but that's tempered by the fact there are still nine hard stages of the race to come.
In fact, it might already be race over for the Soudal Quick-Step rider, who proved once again on Thursday that he's the fastest sprinter in the race. From now until the end in Paris, there might be no more bunch sprints for Merlier to prove himself again. Five sprints have come and gone, and now it's mountains and breakaway terrain for the rest of the race.
