Tim Merlier holds off Mads Pedersen to claim victory in sprint finish to Bredene Koksijde Classic

Team Alpecin rider Tim Merlier was strongest in the finish to taste victory for the third time this season. Mads Pedersen attempted to mow the Belgian down in the sprint to the line, but the Trek–Segafredo rider did not have enough in the tank to deny Merlier. Deceuninck–QuickStep's Florian Senechal took third.

Tim Merlier produced a superb sprint finish to claim victory in the Bredene Koksijde Classic.

The race came back together ahead of the final lap into Koksijde, and it looked likely to boil down to a fight between Merlier and Mads Pedersen.

That was how it played out, although Pedersen from team Trek–Segafredo did not have the power to deny the Belgian who was tasting victory for the third time this season.

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It looked for a moment as though the Alpecin rider had gone early, but he timed it to perfection to comfortably hold Pedersen at bay.

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Video credit: TNT Sports

Deceuninck–Quick-Step's Florian Senechal took third place to complete the podium.

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