Tim Merlier secured a stunning victory in the seventh stage of the 2026 Tour de France on Friday, triumphing in a thrilling sprint finish from Hagetmau to Bordeaux. The Belgian cyclist, representing Soudal Quick-Step, showcased his exceptional speed and strategy, overtaking compatriot Jasper Philipsen in the final meters of the race.
Merlier's victory marks his fourth stage win at the prestigious event, having previously clinched three stages in 2021 and 2025. He expressed his pride, stating, "It was a mess to be in position, but I made it thanks to the team. We were the only team with Alpecin who were riding to take the breakaway back, so I’m happy it’s not another team who wins. It’s only my third Tour de France. In every participation, I take a win, it makes me proud."
Stage Seven Highlights
The stage covered a flat distance of 175.1 km, culminating in a bunch sprint where Norway's Soren Waerenskjold finished second, followed closely by Eritrea's Biniam Girmay in third. The race saw Merlier timing his sprint perfectly, showcasing his tactical prowess.
After a challenging week, Tadej Pogacar maintained his overall lead in the general classification. The Slovenian cyclist, competing for UAE Team Emirates-XRG, held a substantial advantage of 2 minutes and 38 seconds over Jonas Vingegaard in second place. Pogacar's teammate, Isaac del Toro, remains in third, trailing by a further 45 seconds.
