Merlier sprints to win as Van der Poel falls short

TIM Merlier won stage nine of the Tour de France in Châteauroux on Sunday, capitalising on a doomed but valiant breakaway effort from Mathieu van der Poel, who was caught in the final kilometre of a searing day of racing.

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There was no change in the general classification, with yellow jersey holder Tadej Pogačar maintaining his 54-second lead over Remco Evenepoel. French prospect Kévin Vauquelin remains in third.

Merlier, riding for Soudal-Quick-Step, secured his second stage win of this Tour following his victory in Dunkirk on stage three. The 32-year-old Belgian was brought to the front by team leader Evenepoel in the final metres.

"It's mad - we are supposed to be helping him (Evenepoel) but he’s helping us," Merlier laughed post-race. “I need to make it through the mountains now. I won't be any use to Remco there, but I want to help him in the other ones.”