Belgium opted for a high-risk tactic in choosing between Jasper Philipsen and Tim Mellier for Sunday's European road race championships.

Belgian national coach Sven Vanthourenhout chose the two sprinters because both Philipsen and Merlier are favourites and theoretically have more chances to win.

“They both promised to take their chances in the sprint. So there is nothing wrong with that.” On the eve of the race, Philipsen told Belgian media about sharing the sprint lead with Merlier.

“Same answer,” added the usually reserved Mellier.

Both Belgian sprinters are in good form and could win the 220-km race on the winding roads of East Flanders. They raced together in Alpecin in 2021 and 2022 before Mellier moved to Sourdal, but rarely raced together. They now share a team leader.

Merlier had a big crash on stage 2 of the Leniwi Tour, but is confident in his sprints. He has won three sprints in 2024, including three stages of the Giro d'Italia and the Scheldeprijs Classic, where he beat Philipsen.

Philipsen is arguably the best sprinter of the season. He won the Milan-San Remo and Bruges-Des Pins classics, was second in Paris-Roubaix, and won three stages in the Tour de France.

Philipsen and Merlier will each have a mini-leadout as they face riders from 31 countries, including Mathieu van der Pol (Netherlands), Jonathan Milano (Italy), Mads Pedersen (Denmark), and Alexander Kristoff (Norway) They will be.

If the race ends at pack speed, it could play out like a Belgian sprint showdown, with Philipsen sprinting one side of the road and Merlier the other.

“Anything is possible,” said Philipsen.

“There are sprinters besides us,” added Mellier, emphasizing that the two would make an arrangement with national coach Sven Vantorenhout regarding the sprint at the pre-race team meeting.

Vanthourenhout apparently chose the two sprinters because Philipsen and Mellier are the favorites to win. Perhaps the Belgian also knows that the race may not end in a group sprint, as in the junior men's and under-23 men's races. Both Philipsen and Merlier could win from a breakaway, or if the race develops in such a way that the peloton returns to the pack, they could win in a group sprint.

“I don't have a crystal ball, but the course is suitable for the race. It's a little bit like Ronde van Limburg. It's not necessarily going to end in a sprint,” Mellier suggested.

Philipsen is not so convinced and will probably stay in the peloton and hope for a group sprint.

“Guys like Pedersen and Mathieu Van der Pol will want to make the race harder, but then I won't be there. My chances to win will be greatest in the group sprint. That is what I am aiming for.”

The scenario does not include one sprinter sacrificing his chances for the other.

“I don't believe that will happen,” Philipsen stated.

“Both Tim and I will survive with the freshness we need. But if we are really at the limit and feel we can't win, then it would be kind of silly to try. In that case, unfortunately, we won't be able to lead out.”

Merlier agreed. Both just want to sprint for themselves and have the freedom to do so.

As the Flemish media pointed out, it could end in victory or it could end in disaster.