Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step) is set to make his Tour of Britain debut against Olav Kooij (Decathlon-CMA CGM) when the five-stage race begins in Lincoln on September 2.
The two sprinters are set to go head-to-head on a route designed to favour fast finishes. Stages 2, 3 and 5 look like the clearest opportunities, while the other two days are not entirely beyond fast riders such as Merlier and Kooij. The Dutchman has seven Tour of Britain stage wins, leaving him three short of Mark Cavendish’s record of 10.
“This will be my first time racing in the Lloyds Tour of Britain Men and I’m looking forward to it,” Merlier said in the British Cycling announcement. “The stages look well suited for sprinters, and as a team we will be aiming to make the most of the opportunities and put on a good show for the fans.”
Merlier has nine victories this season, including Scheldeprijs and three stages of the Tour de France, which he abandoned on stage 15. He has not won since the Tour, with third place on the opening stage of the Renewi Tour his best recent result. He also finished in the top 10 at the Belgian gravel championships.
Kooij started his season later than most, making his Decathlon-CMA CGM debut at Boucles de la Mayenne in late May and winning twice there. A victory in Belgium and a stage win on his Tour de France debut took his 2026 total to four. He later had a disappointing ride at the ADAC Cyclassics, followed by several top-10 finishes at the Renewi Tour.
That leaves both riders coming into the race with uncertain form. With the rest of the start list still provisional, they establish the leading sprint rivalry so far rather than a contest with a clear favourite. Merlier has more wins this season, but Kooij has the stronger Tour of Britain record and won at Beverley, where stage 3 finishes, in 2023.
Kooij's route to the record
Kooij won four consecutive stages in 2023, then returned for three more victories in 2025. He also delivered a key lead-out for then-teammate Matthew Brennan during that edition.
To draw level with Cavendish on 10 wins, Kooij would have to sweep all three likely sprint stages. Stage 2 runs 185.2km from Boston to Skegness, where wind on the exposed Lincolnshire roads could disrupt the expected bunch finish. Stage 3 heads north to Beverley, with four passages of a 16km circuit before the finish at the racecourse used in 2023.
Stage 5 around Earlston is the third likely sprint opportunity, although sharp rises and the passage through the Lammermuir Hills could split the race. Even a clean sweep of those three days would only bring Kooij level with Cavendish on 10 wins.
To take the record outright, Kooij would then need an 11th victory on one of the less predictable days: either the Michaelgate circuit in Lincoln or the sharper climbs of the Yorkshire Dales.
The Lincoln opener finishes on the Lincoln Grand Prix circuit, with five late ascents of the cobbled Michaelgate climb. Those repeated accelerations can split the field and shape the general classification. A fast finisher could survive, but the route does not offer the same straightforward sprint scenario as the Boston-Skegness stage.
Stage 4 from Helmsley to Leyburn is harder. Its 165.8km route contains 2,699 metres of elevation gain, with Greenhow Bank, Kidstones, Greets Moss and Grinton Moor among the Yorkshire Dales climbs. An undulating ridge road towards Leyburn and a steep ramp through Harmby inside the final 3km could further reduce the remaining group.
The provisional start list contains only a handful of other names, including Filippo Ganna (Netcompany-Ineos). The Italian has not raced since the Tour de France, but his plans for the five-day race have not been confirmed.
The final field and team plans will be confirmed closer to the race, which runs from September 2 to 6.
