Mark Cavendish second to Tim Merlier in the Grote Prijs Jean-Pierre Monseré – Lewis Askey wins the Combativity prize after being out front until eight miles from the end
![]() |
News: GP Jean-Pierre Monseré
Mark Cavendish needed just a few races to secure his first top 3 finish since rejoining The Wolfpack, sprinting to a solid second at the Grote Prijs Jean-Pierre Monseré. The Manxman, who started his 16th pro season just a few weeks ago in Spain, was one of the seven Deceuninck – Quick-Step riders to line up for the Belgian race, which consisted of several laps around the town of Roeselare, after a start from Hooglede.
©Luc Claessen/Getty Images
The Wolfpack chased down the main breakaway Sunday afternoon, but also the lone riders who tried to derail the bunch sprint inside the last ten kilometers, making sure it would all come together under the flamme rouge. Mark was well-positioned on the wheel of teammate Bert Van Lerberghe, but had to be content with second in the end, after Tim Merlier (Alpecin-Fenix) launched a move from distance, anticipating the sprint. Cavendish reacted as soon as the Belgian went, but the gap was too big to shut down and he finished runner-up, a result that underlined the strong condition he has after a good winter training.
“To be honest I kind of forgot how it was to be in a sprint. I am a bit disappointed, because the team controlled the race and I felt really good, but Merlier was clever when he launched it. Going into the final, Bert got sandwiched, which is what happens when a bunch of guys all go for the same bit of road. I reacted when Tim went on the right side, but the gap was already there and that was that.”
“I’m glad to be on the podium, but at the same time I’m disappointed, as I said. Now I will do Nokere Koerse, which is a race I never did before, and see how things go there. I love racing in Flanders and I want to enjoy every single moment of it. We will keep trying in the next races, we’ll keep having fun and see where that takes us”, Mark said after becoming the first British rider to finish the Grote Prijs Jean-Pierre Monseré in the top 3.
The podium place for the 35-year-old British rider, was the first time since April 18, 2019 in the third stage of the Tour of Turkey. “I am quite happy, but also a bit disappointed,” he says.
“We will keep trying, but the most important thing is the team’s success. We have fun and I will be racing again. ” The next race on the program for Cavendish is Nokere Koerse. Julien Vermote (former Quickstep rider) was also discussed. “We trained together for three hours this week,” said Cavendish. “He’s still pretty good. It’s a shame he doesn’t have a squad because he’s someone who deserves a contract. He is a professional, one of my best friends and one of the most valuable teammates I have ever had. That makes me sad. ”
Tim Merlier “I didn’t expect to get into position so easily but I was in a good position and was able to defend my place. I saw that Cavendish’s lead-out almost went down, so when they looked at each other for a moment, I didn’t hesitate anymore. I went on the inside and luckily it was enough. I ended up alone in the wind on the right, and I had no one in front of me. I know when I sprint from afar that I can maintain my power. My next race is Tirreno-Adriatico. Hopefully I will have quick legs and will be well recovered from today”.
Lewis Askey, who rode an awesome Grand Prix Jean-Pierre Monseré race – “I felt really good and wanted to work with the group (breakaway of 9), he said. “When I rode clear of everyone on the cobblestones, it wasn’t an attack. I just think everyone was at their limit”. Joined a little later by counter attackers from the peloton (inc Jacob Scott), Lewis Askey held his place out front until eight miles from the finish. “Overall I would say I had a good day on the bike,” he summed up. “I can be happy with my condition and the way I ran, even if the end result isn’t there to prove it. – Lewis got the Combativity award …
GP Jean-Pierre Monseré
1. Tim Merlier Alpecin-Fenix 4:34:44
2. Mark Cavendish Deceuninck-Quick Step
3. Timothy Dupont Bingoal-WB
4. Pierre Barbier Delko
5. Riccardo Minali Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert
6. Thomas Boudat Arkéa-Samsic
7. Jordi Warlop Sport Vlaanderen-Baloise
8. Emiel Vermeulen Xelliss-Roubaix Lille Métropole
9. Arne Marit Sport Vlaanderen-Baloise
10. Rait Ärm Groupama-FDJ Conti
17. Oliver Robinson Lviv Cycling Team
22. Jacob Scott Canyon DHB Sungod
31. Matthew Bostock Canyon DHB Sungod
53. Rory Townsend Canyon DHB Sungod @ 09
93. Lewis Askey Groupama-FDJ Conti @ 13
97. Reece Wood Canyon DHB Sungod @ 13
119. Robert Scott Canyon DHB Sungod @ 47
122. Alexandar Richardson Alpecin-Fenix @ 47
137. Damien Clayton Canyon DHB Sungod @ 5:34
141. Leo Hayter Development Team DSM @ 6:24
Cycle Division’s Shop
Send your results as well as club, team & event news here
Other Results on VeloUK (including reports containing results)
- Features, Reports, Results
- Result: Beverley Town Centre Races
- Hill Climb Championships: Change of Course
- Crit Result: Portsmouth Evening Circuits 11
- Crit Result: RCR FatCreations Goodwood Summer Special
- UK Armed Forces Inter-services Road Race
- Report: TLI Cycling ‘Belgium Training Series
- BMCR RESULT: The Ron Day MK Bowl Circuit races (July 23rd)
- RR Result: Bath RC Junior National Series Road Race
- Crit Result: West Thames League 15
- Crit Result: SACA Salt Ayre Tuesday Series 15
- Crit Result: Bath CC Mid Summer Series 2
- Crit Result: Full Gas Summer Circuit Series #17
- TT Result: Ross-On-Wye & Dist CC 25m TT
- TT Result: Ross-On-Wye & Dist CC 10m TT
- TT Result: Kernow Racing Team 10m TT
- News: Men’s Tour of Britain Route (Stage 1 & 2)
- Youth Result: RL360 Isle of Man Youth League 14
- TT Result: Verulam Cycling Club 25m TT
- TT Result: Manchester & District Ladies CA 25m TT
- TT Result: Ferryhill Wheelers CC 25m TT
- Crit Result: Banbury Star Crit Series #2
- RR Result: Lakes Road Club Summer Road Race
- National Circuit Series: Colne
- TT Result: Kings Lynn CC 15m TT
- TT Result: ECCA 10 mile Time Trial
- TT Result: Chorley Cycling Club 10m TT
- TT Result: Houghton CC 25m TT
- TT Result: Bournemouth Jubilee Wheelers 10m TT
- TT Result: Farnham RC 10m TT
- Crit Result: King&Queen of the Bowl Series #13
- TT Result: Kernow Racing Team 10m TT
- Crit Result: Lichfield/Velospeed No Frills at Curborough #7
- TT Result: Swindon RC & Swindon Wh 50m TT
- Crit News: Spatzwear Friday Night Crit Series #6 | YBC
- GB News: Paracycling Squad for Paris 2024
- Crit Result: Thanks Crit it’s Friday 7
- Crit Result: Omega Portsmouth Circuits 6
- Result: BMCR National Road Bike TT Championship
- Crit Result: Ride Revolution Coaching Summer Crits #2
- Crit Result: Shutt Velo Rapide Hitters Crits Rd2
Other News on VeloUK
- Hill Climb Championships: Change of Course
- TT Result: Ross-On-Wye & Dist CC 25m TT
- News: Men’s Tour of Britain Route (Stage 1 & 2)
- GB News: Paracycling Squad for Paris 2024
- Ribble Redefines Road with launch of Allroad
- BMCR: National Road Bike Time Trial Championship
- SUNDAY: Bath Road Club Junior National Series Road Race
- TLI CYCLING FEATURE: SUPER4SERIES
- NATIONAL CIRCUIT SERIES UPDATE 2024
- News: Josh Tarling Extends Contract at Ineos
- Tour of Britain for Men 2024
- News: Connor Swift Extends Contract with Ineos
- Updated GB Olympic Team News
- Sunday: 2024 Youth Circuit Race Championships (Cyclopark)
- ROBBED BY THE HIGHWAYS AGENCY – National Highways
- Startlist: BMCR National Road Championships E/F/G/H
- OLYMPIC NEWS – Team GB Announces First Riders for Olympics
- News: Alex Richardson Retires
- New Releases from Shutt Velo Rapide
- STARTLIST: Men’s British Road Race Championships
- STARTLIST: 2024 Women’s British Road Race Championships
- Startlist: 2024 CAMS Yorkshire Classic Road Races
- Startlists: 2024 Circuit Race Championships
- Startlist: CAMS Ronde van Wymeswold
- Startlists & 2023 Results: National Time Trial Championships
- NEWS: Star Studded Line Up for National Road Champs
- Riders so far: London Dynamo Summer Road Races
- Women’s Tour of Britain Startlist (provisional)
- News: Lincoln winner hit by car
- Entries Wanted: Ilkley Cycles Races
- GB Team Named for Women’s Tour of Britain
- STARTLISTS: NW, Yorkshire & NE Regional RR Championships
- Startlists: East Midlands Road Race Championships
- News: Ribble Rebellion Race USA’s Armed Forces Cycling Classic
- TT Result: Legato Racing Team 10m TT
- Pre-Race Rider Quotes: Ford RideLondon Classique
- STARTLIST: Witham Wheelers Road Races
- Team News: Tour of Britain for Alba Development RT
- Startlist: Totnes Vire 2024
- Starters: NW Junior/U23 360cycling Two Day