Merlier Seals Second Victory in Tour de France Sprint Thriller as Van der Poel Falls Just Short

Tim Merlier wins sprint on thrilling stage nine after Van der Poel’s breakaway falls short

Stage nine of the 2025 Tour de France had all the makings of a classic: an ambitious early breakaway, a high-speed chase, nervous energy in the peloton, and ultimately, a flat-out sprint finish in Chateauroux that delivered drama to the final metres. While Tim Merlier was the man celebrating across the line, it was Mathieu van der Poel who provided the day’s narrative, almost stealing victory with a bold breakaway that just ran out of road.

The 174.1km journey from Chinon to Chateauroux had looked destined for a routine sprinters’ showdown. But Van der Poel, never one to stick to the script, launched a daring move from the gun alongside Alpecin-Deceuninck team-mate Jonas Rickaert. Together, the Dutch pair defied logic, the peloton, and conventional wisdom, carving out a lead of over five minutes at one stage.

Van der Poel lights up a sleepy flat stage

Flat sprint stages in the Tour are often accused of being formulaic, but Sunday’s ride was anything but. The narrative twist came courtesy of Van der Poel, who appeared intent on creating chaos on a day where most expected calm. His partner in crime, Rickaert, had more personal motivation – a dream of standing on the Tour de France podium. It may not have been in yellow, but he got his wish, receiving the combativity award after his committed role in the break.

“We wanted to go for it today because it’s his dream to be on the podium of a Tour de France,” Van der Poel revealed post-stage. “It’s hard not to be able to finish it off but we put up a good show today.”

And a show it was. With the peloton hesitant to chase too hard, perhaps underestimating the threat or biding their time, the gap held stubbornly for much of the stage. It wasn’t until the final 25km that the serious chase began in earnest. Soudal Quick-Step, Lidl-Trek, and Lotto-Dstny combined to bring the front duo back, shaving down the minutes with each pull on the front.

Merlier proves ruthless in the sprint finale

Merlier wins sprint finish as Van der Poel denied epic breakaway triumph

With less than 1km to go, Van der Poel was finally reeled in. But even that didn’t take the sting out of what had been an engrossing stage. The tension continued to build right up to the final metres as sprinters jostled for position and teams formed their trains on the fast, wide boulevards of Chateauroux.

Belgium’s Tim Merlier, already a stage winner in this Tour, played it perfectly. The Soudal Quick-Step rider launched at just the right moment, timing his move with precision to overhaul Jonathan Milan and just hold off the powerful finish of Arnaud De Lie.

“Five minutes [to Van der Poel in the break] is a lot but we tried to chase and also the other teams started to help,” Merlier said afterwards. “The pacing was quite high at the front, but it was hard for all the guys – the bunch was nervous. In the end we just went all in and I’m happy I can win my second stage here.”

Merlier’s win was his second in this year’s race, underlining his credentials as one of the top pure sprinters in the peloton. His positioning, patience, and explosive final kick proved decisive once more.

No changes in general classification but Almeida loss hits UAE

While the drama up front took centre stage, there was little movement in the overall standings. Tadej Pogacar continues to lead the general classification by 54 seconds from Belgian rival Remco Evenepoel. Jonas Vingegaard remains fourth, one minute and 17 seconds adrift of yellow, with American Matteo Jorgenson rounding out the top five.

However, Pogacar’s hopes of defending his title took a quiet hit off the bike. Portuguese climber Joao Almeida, a key mountain lieutenant, was forced to abandon the race due to injuries sustained on stage seven. His absence could be significant as the race heads into tougher terrain.

All eyes on Bastille Day battle in the mountains

Tim Merlier sprints to victory in Tour de France Stage 9 after van der Poel’s breakaway is thwarted |

The Tour now moves into more mountainous terrain, with Monday’s Bastille Day stage featuring eight categorised climbs over 165.3km from Ennezat to Le Mont-Dore Puy de Sancy in the Massif Central. It’s a chance for GC contenders to make moves, and potentially a stage for breakaway specialists to shine.

As for Van der Poel, he may not have added another Tour stage win to his glittering palmarès, but he reminded everyone of what makes him one of the sport’s most compelling figures: courage, unpredictability, and a flair for drama.

Stage 9 Results:

1. Tim Merlier (BEL) – Soudal Quick-Step – 3h 28m 52s
2. Jonathan Milan (ITA) – Lidl-Trek – same time
3. Arnaud De Lie (BEL) – Lotto-Dstny – same time
4. Pavel Bittner (CZE) – Picnic PostNL – same time
5. Paul Penhoet (FRA) – Groupama-FDJ – same time
6. Biniam Girmay (ERI) – Intermarché-Wanty – same time
7. Phil Bauhaus (GER) – Bahrain Victorious – same time
8. Jordi Meeus (BEL) – Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe – same time
9. Stian Fredheim (NOR) – Uno-X Mobility – same time
10. Kaden Groves (AUS) – Alpecin-Deceuninck – same time

General Classification after Stage 9:

1. Tadej Pogacar (SLO) – UAE Team Emirates – 33h 17m 22s
2. Remco Evenepoel (BEL) – Soudal Quick-Step – +54s
3. Kevin Vauquelin (FRA) – Arkea-B&B Hotels – +1m 11s
4. Jonas Vingegaard (DEN) – Visma-Lease a Bike – +1m 17s
5. Matteo Jorgenson (USA) – Visma-Lease a Bike – +1m 34s
6. Mathieu van der Poel (NED) – Alpecin-Deceuninck – +1m 46s
7. Oscar Onley (GBR) – Picnic PostNL – +2m 49s
8. Florian Lipowitz (GER) – Red Bull-Bora hansgrohe – +3m 2s
9. Primoz Roglic (SLO) – Red Bull-Bora hansgrohe – +3m 6s
10. Mattias Skjelmose (DEN) – +3m 43s