Merlier Powers to Tour de France Stage 7 Victory

Stage 7 Highlights

Tim Merlier anchored a sprint finish on Friday’s 175.1km flat leg from Hagetmau to Bordeaux, out‑cycling his rivals in the final 100 metres. The Belgian rider, riding for Soudal Quick‑Step, crossed the line in 3h 44m 20s, securing his third Tour de France stage win. His previous victories came in 2021 and 2025, and he celebrated by noting that each Tour participation has brought him a podium spot. Teammate Jasper Philipsen was caught in the shuffle, finishing fifth behind Soren Waerenskjold and Biniam Girmay.

The Norwegian Waerenskjold (Uno‑X Mobility) took second with Eritrea’s Girmay (NSN Cycling) third, while Germany’s Max Kanter and Belgian Philipsen rounded out the top five. The field included a mix of sprinters and all‑rounders, but the flat terrain favoured the pure sprinters. Pogacar’s UAE Team Emirates‑XRG protégé Isaac del Toro sat 45 seconds behind the leader in the overall standings, underscoring the tight contest at the top.

General Classification after Stage 7

Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates‑XRG) continues to wear the yellow jersey, holding a 2‑minute 38‑second cushion over Jonas Vingegaard (Visma‑Lease a Bike). The Slovenian champion’s teammate Isaac del Toro, a Mexican rider, is third, 45 seconds behind Vingegaard. The top ten also feature Remco Evenepoel, Juan Ayuso, and Florian Lipowitz, each separated by less than five minutes from the leader. The close margins mean the battle for the overall title will likely tighten in the upcoming flat stage.

Trailing in tenth place, Czech rider Mathias Vacek sits 7 minutes 10 seconds off the pace, while Danish teammate Mattias Skjelmose holds ninth. The competition is spread across multiple squads, with Red Bull‑Bora‑Hansgrohe and Lidl‑Trek fielding several contenders. The stage also saw Norwegian Torstein Traeen withdraw after a heavy crash while in the yellow jersey, a setback that reshapes the field. Saturday’s 180.4km route from Perigueux to Bergerac is another sprint‑friendly day, hinting at more fireworks later in the race.

Looking ahead, Merlier’s consistent stage victories suggest he is a key factor in sprint battles, while Pogacar’s durable lead indicates he remains the rider to beat. With a flat stage approaching, fans can expect more close finishes and additional changes in the overall standings as the Tour rolls onward.

Stay tuned for updates as the Tour de France continues its journey across France.