Tim Merlier wins stage 2 of the Eneco Tour, Söderqvist stays in the lead

Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step) has won the second stage of the 2026 Eneco Tour, finishing in 02:32:59. The Soudal Quick-Step rider beat Dylan Groenewegen (Unibet Rose Rockets) and Gerben Thijssen (Alpecin-Premier Tech) in the sprint, both credited with the same time as the winner. Stage results Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step) — 02:32:59 Dylan Groenewegen (Unibet Rose Rockets) — s.t. Gerben Thijssen (Alpecin-Premier Tech) — s.t. Christophe Laporte (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) — s.t. David Dekker (Beat CC p/b Saxo) — s.t. Four riders finished with the same time as the winner, confirming a compact bunch sprint that was only decided in the final metres. General classification The leader's jersey remains on the shoulders of Jakob Söderqvist (Lidl-Trek), who leads the general classification with 02:36:31. Behind him are Wessel Mouris (Unibet Rose Rockets) at 1 second and Christophe Laporte (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) at 1 second. Merlier's stage victory therefore does not change the top of the standings, where Söderqvist keeps the lead. The race continues tomorrow with a new stage, the third of the five scheduled.