Tour de France stage 7: Tim Merlier outsprints rivals to win in Bordeaux

The Soudal Quick-Step Belgian claimed his fourth career Tour stage win in a bunch finish, with Søren Wærenskjold and Biniam Girmay completing the podium. The 33-year-old Merlier timed his sprint to perfection, staying patient until the final 150 metres before finding a gap and hitting top speed.

The early phase of stage seven was dominated by a two-man breakaway of Baptiste Veistroffer (the "Wild Boar of Fouesnant") and Czech rider Jakub Otruba. The peloton kept their advantage under 90 seconds and the pair dangled out front for most of the 170-kilometre run to Bordeaux. Behind them, green jersey holder Mads Pedersen scooped up points with third place in the intermediate sprint, roughly a minute after the duo passed.

The breakaway was finally caught with 22 kilometres to go, setting up a tense final. Jasper Stuyven guided Merlier safely through the street furniture and narrowing roads. Alpecin-Premier Tech had dominated the last kilometre, with Mathieu van der Poel leading out Jasper Philipsen and peeling off at 250 metres, but the headwind left Philipsen too exposed. He was swamped by Max Kanter, Girmay, Wærenskjold and Merlier in the closing metres.