Tim Merrier shook hands with Jasper Philipsen on the podium at the Classic Bruges de Panne, but the Soudal Quick-step sprinter was happy to have to brake 200 metres from the line after colliding shoulder-to-shoulder with his rivals. It was not.

Merlier waved to Philipsen after the finish and showed clear frustration. Milan-San Remo's winner shrugged off suggestions of cheating as he hit the line first, but Merlier was not happy to finish second.

"The spring would end for one person if I didn't hold back," Merlieir said in an interview with Wielerflits, showing the results of Philipsen who punched him from behind as both sprinters dived along the barrier to pass Danny van Poppel (Bora-Hansgrohe), who started the sprint. It was a great experience.

The UCI commissaires saw a video replay of the incident, but considered it to be a race incident. Merriere was not convinced.

"Jasper is lucky that I am a good rider," Merlier said.

"If I pushed through, someone would have crossed the barrier. I would probably not have fallen, but I would probably be blamed. Jasper was coming and I wanted to start the sprint too, but suddenly I pushed my hips.

"I stopped pedaling.

On the other hand, Philippsen was somewhat relaxed about the collision. "I was a bit disappointed with Tim, but in the end it was a good sprint and I'm happy to win," he said after the finish.

"It was hard to guess what Van Poppel was going to do, and I chose which side to go on.

Merlier and Philipsen are teammates of Alpecin-Fenix and pay tribute between 2 of the fastest printers in the world, but Merlier warned them not to brake next time.

"This would change my relationship with Jasper" No. The relationship itself is good. Last year we trained together in Tenerife several times, but we were no longer teammates.

"We're doing the same job now. Next time you will not just accept defeat.”