Merlier snatches victory in chaotic Tour of Britain sprint finish on Skegness seafront
Belgian Tim Merlier's smart, late move in a chaotic sprint finish saw him victorious in today’s Tour of Britain stage two from Boston to Skegness.
But yesterday's stage one winner in Lincoln, Great Britain's Lewis Askey (UCI WorldTeam NSN) retained the leader's jersey as he extended his lead from nine seconds to 12.
The 181.1km route also took in Revesby, Coningsby, Tattershall, Woodhall Spa, Wragby, Horncastle, Louth, Mablethorpe, Sutton On Sea, Spilsby, Market Rasen and Caistor as the riders produced a magnificent battle for the thousands of spectators en route.
It ended with a spectacular sprint finish on the Skegness seafront with renowned sprinter Merlier (UCI WorldTeam Soudal–Quick-Step) spotting a gap on the inside alongside the barrier and storming through from fifth to first for his 11th win of the season.
Yesterday's second-placed Filippo Ganna (Netcompany Ineos) suffered heartbreak earlier in the race when he had a puncture when well placed.
The same as in yesterday's stage one, it was World Gravel Racing champion Florian Vermeersch (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) who made the first big move 7.5km from home as he broke away from the leading pack into a strong tailwind.
But he ran out of steam 2km from home as the pack caught up with him.
The thrilling sprint finish saw Merlier win in 3.53.55 with Olav Kooij (Decathlon CMA CGM ) second and Sam Bennett (Pinarello Q36.5) third.
That left Askey still as overall leader with Tim Wellens (UCI WorldTeam UAE Team Emirates XRG) second and Matteo Trentin (UCI ProTeam Tudor) third with the Tour tomorrow moving on to East Yorkshire from Hull to Beverley.
Stage four on Saturday is from Hemsley to Leyburn in North Yorkshire before Sunday's finish in the Scottish borders, starting and finishing in Earlston.