Tim Merlier Wins Tour de France Stage Seven in Bordeaux Sprint

Belgian cyclist Tim Merlier won the seventh stage of the Tour de France during a high-speed sprint finish on the banks of the Garonne River in Bordeaux. The Soudal Quick-Step rider overcame a chaotic final kilometer to claim his fourth career Tour stage victory and secure Belgium's first win in this edition of the race.

Credit: USA TODAY Sports

The following image from course photographers captures Merlier celebrating his victory immediately after crossing the finish line, showing his signature shoulder-brush gesture to signal a clean win over his rivals.

Merlier timed his acceleration to overtake Jasper Philipsen of Alpecin-Premier Tech, who started his sprint early into a headwind. Søren Wærenskjold of Uno-X Mobility finished second, and Biniam Girmay of the NSN Cycling Team took third place. All three riders crossed the line with an official time of 3 hours, 44 minutes, and 20 seconds.

According to official race communications, Merlier described the positioning battle after crossing the finish line:

“Perfectly, I don't know. It was a mess to be in position. But I make it, thanks to the team, great work from them.”

He explained his mindset during the closing stretch:

“With 600 meters to go I got boxed in. But I told myself I would fight until the finish.”

The 175.1-kilometer flat stage started in Hagetmau under a severe heatwave, with temperatures reaching 36 degrees Celsius. Frenchman Baptiste Veistroffer and Czech rider Jakub Otruba formed a two-man breakaway immediately after the opening flag.

The duo stayed ahead of the field for 157 kilometers and built a maximum lead of one minute and 35 seconds. Chasing teams, led by Soudal Quick-Step and Alpecin-Premier Tech, maintained a strict tempo at the front of the peloton. The pack caught the breakaway riders with 18 kilometers remaining.

Veistroffer crossed the intermediate sprint point first in Landiras and secured the combativity award. Mads Pedersen of Lidl-Trek won the sprint out of the main field behind the breakaway to extend his lead in the points classification. Pedersen finished ninth in the final stage sprint.

Defending champion Tadej Pogačar finished safely within the pack to retain the overall leader's yellow jersey. He preserves his lead of two minutes and 42 seconds over his primary rival, Jonas Vingegaard of Team Visma | Lease a Bike.

Pogačar reclaimed the yellow jersey on Thursday after a strong climbing performance in the Pyrenees. Former race leader Torstein Træen withdrew before the start of stage seven. Medical examinations confirmed Træen suffered multiple rib fractures and a concussion during a previous crash.

Alpecin-Premier Tech controlled the front positions as the pack crossed the Garonne River. Cycling veteran Mathieu van der Poel delivered Philipsen to the front with 250 meters remaining.

Philipsen launched his sprint early into a strong headwind and lost momentum before the line. Merlier tracked the wheel of Olav Kooij, found open space on the left side, and outpaced his competitors.

Soudal Quick-Step adjusted its strategy after losing lead-out rider Bert Van Lerberghe during the previous mountain stage. Jasper Stuyven assumed the role of final lead-out man to keep Merlier in contention.

Merlier expressed pride in his consistent Tour de France record:

“It's only my third Tour de France. Every participation, I take a win, So yeah, it makes me proud.”