Merlier Wins Sprint Finish As Van Der Poel Denied Epic Breakaway Triumph

Tim Merlier won shape 9 of nan Tour de France successful a sprint decorativeness aft Mathieu van der Poel's hopes of an audacious breakaway triumph were dashed wrong nan last kilometre.

Van der Poel and team-mate Jonas Rickaert attacked astatine nan commencement of nan 174.1km tally from Chinon to Chateauroux and nan Dutch erstwhile world champion produced a gutsy effort that conscionable fell short of delivering his 2nd triumph successful this year's race.

Instead, Belgium's Merlier was capable to observe again, having besides won shape three, arsenic he came past Jonathan Milan and held disconnected fast-finishing compatriot Arnaud de Lie.

"Five minutes [to Van der Poel successful nan break] is simply a batch but we tried to pursuit and besides nan different teams started to help. The pacing was rather precocious astatine nan front, but it was difficult for each nan guys - nan bunch was nervous," said Merlier.

"In nan extremity we conscionable went each successful and I'm happy I tin triumph my 2nd shape here."

There has been statement successful caller days astir nan semipermanent worth of level sprint stages successful nan Tour, which tin unfold successful predictable fashion, pinch nan liking confined to nan last stages.

Chateauroux, which was dubbed 'Cavendish City' successful honour of Sir Mark, who took nan first of his Tour-record 35 profession shape victories present successful 2008, has agelong been nan sphere of sprinters.

However, Van der Poel's valiant effort to extremity that streak and nan title for position successful nan upwind collapsed nan title apart.

And nan Dutchman revealed afterwards that he had embarked connected nan two-man expedition because team-mate Rickaert had a dream that he has now achieved aft winning nan day's combativity award.

"We wanted to spell for it coming because it's his dream to beryllium connected nan podium of a Tour de France," Van der Poel said.

"It's difficult not to beryllium capable to decorativeness it disconnected but we put up a bully show today."

There was nary alteration astatine nan apical of nan wide classification, pinch defending champion Tadej Pogacar remaining 54 seconds clear of Remco Evenepoel. Two-time victor Jonas Vingegaard is fourth, 1 infinitesimal 17 seconds disconnected yellow.

However, location was a rustle for Pogacar arsenic cardinal lieutenant Joao Almeida abandoned nan title arsenic a consequence of injuries suffered connected shape seven.

On Monday, nan title takes successful 8 categorised climbs connected Bastille Day arsenic it travels 165.3km from Ennezat to Le Mont-Dore Puy de Sancy successful nan Massif Central.