One-day race - Walscheid second at Nokere Koerse - Belgian Merlier wins

Professional cyclist Max Walscheid narrowly missed out on victory in the 76th Belgian one-day race Nokere Koerse.

The 28-year-old was only narrowly beaten by Belgian winner Tim Merlier in the final sprint on the cobblestones in Nokere after 189.8 kilometres. Merlier's compatriot Arnaud De Lie came third.

"That was very impressive from Tim. He set off early. I gave everything I had. But there was no way forward," said the burly Walscheid, who at 1.99 metres tall suits the tough Belgian races. Two-time Giro stage winner Pascal Ackermann, on the other hand, played no part in the decision and finished ninth.

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