Tim Merlier won Stage 7 of the 2026 Tour de France in Bordeaux after a dominant sprint finish, according to reports from AD.nl and WielerFlits. Merlier outpaced the competition to secure the victory, with Olav Kooij finishing third in a stage characterized by intense heat and a late-stage breakaway attempt.
Merlier Dominates Bordeaux Sprint Finish
Tim Merlier secured a new stage victory in the 2026 Tour de France, crossing the line first in Bordeaux. AD.nl described Merlier’s ride to the win as “impressive,” noting that the Belgian sprinter appeared “unreachable” during the final push. Despite the victory, NUT reported that Merlier nearly crashed during the chaotic final moments of the sprint, though he maintained his balance to take the win.
Olav Kooij, who took third place, told De Telegraaf that the combination of the race intensity and the oppressive heat felt like an "attack on your entire body."
Liam Slock’s Breakaway and the Final Kilometers
The race was not solely a waiting game for the sprinters. Liam Slock attempted a long-range breakaway to disrupt the peloton’s rhythm. According to WielerFlits, Slock managed to stay ahead for the vast majority of the stage, only being caught by the chasing pack in the penultimate kilometer.
The failure of the Slock breakaway ensured a full-speed bunch sprint, which played directly into Merlier’s strengths. While Slock missed out on the win, other riders found success in the margins; NUT highlighted that Pluimers expressed great satisfaction with a sixth-place finish in the final standings for the day.
Impact on the Green Jersey Race
For readers unfamiliar with the points system, the green jersey is awarded to the rider who consistently finishes high in stage results and intermediate sprints, making every podium spot—like Kooij’s third or Merlier’s first—critical for the overall standings.
Stage 7 Results Summary
| Position | Rider | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Tim Merlier | Stage Winner |
| 3rd | Olav Kooij | Green Jersey Contender |
| 6th | Pluimers | Top 10 Finish |
The race now moves forward from Bordeaux.
Stay tuned for official updates on the general classification and the start times for Stage 8. Share your thoughts on Merlier’s form in the comments below.
