Tour de France Stage 7 winner: Belgian sprinter Tim Merlier wins in Bordeaux

[ASFN Admin]

Stage 7 of the 2026 Tour de France began in the new stage town of Hagetmau and made its way to Bordeaux, covering mostly flat terrain ideal for sprinters. Belgian sprinter Tim Merlier capitalized on the opportunity, powering to a commanding stage win.

Stage 7 commenced without cyclist Torstein Træen, who was forced to withdraw from the Tour after a crash on the descent from the Col de Tourmalet during Stage 6. Despite finishing the stage, Træen was later diagnosed with a concussion and multiple rib fractures, leading medical staff to rule him out for the remainder of the event.

Friday’s stage saw an early breakaway featuring Baptiste Veistroffer and Jakub Otruba, who managed to build a moderate advantage over the peloton during the opening kilometers. Their lead, however, steadily diminished as the race approached the Côte de Béguey, a category 4 climb, where the sprinters’ teams increased the pace. In the final stretch, Tim Merlier surged ahead and clinched the stage victory in Bordeaux.

Here is how the leaderboard looks after 2026 Tour de France Stage 7.

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2026 TOUR DE FRANCE: How to watch, schedule, stages for cycling's top race

2026 Tour de France Stage 7 results​

Final results of the 175.1 kilometers Stage 7 from Hagetmau to Bordeaux, at the 2026 Tour de France on Friday, July 10. *Results and times are via Tour de France website*

Pos.	Rider	Team	Time	Gap
1	Tim Merlier	Soudal Quick-Step	03h 44' 20''	---
2	Soren Waerenskjold	UNO-X Mobility	03h 44' 20''	---
3	Biniam Girmay	NSN Cycling Team	03h 44' 20''	---
4	Max Kanter	XDS Astana Team	03h 44' 20''	---
5	Jasper Philipsen	Alpecin-Premier Tech	003h 44' 20''	---
6	Phil Bauhaus	Bahrain Victorious	03h 44' 20''	---
7	Huub Artz	Lotto Intermarche	03h 44' 20''	---
8	Dorian Godon	Netcompany INEOS Cycling Team	03h 44' 20''	---
9	Mads Pedersen	LIDL-TREK	003h 44' 20''	---
10	Tom Van asbroeck	NSN Cycling Team	03h 44' 20''	---

Tour de France 2026 standings​

Through Stage 7

1. Tadej Pogačar, Solvenia: 24h 56' 17''
2. Jonas Vingegaard, Denmark: 24h 58' 59''
3. Isaac Del Toro, Mexico: 24h 59' 44''
4. Remco Evenepoel, Belgium: 24h 59' 47''
5. Juan Ayuso, Spain: 24h 59' 51''
6. Paul Seixas, France: 25h 00' 12''
7. Florian Lipowitz, Germany: 25h 00' 17''
8. Lenny Martinez, France: 25h 00' 38''
9. Mattias Skjelmose, Denmark: 25h 01' 14''
10. Mathias Vacek, Czechia: 25h 03' 27''

2026 Tour de France jersey standings​

• Yellow (general): Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates - XRG)
• Green (points): Mads Pedersen (LIDL-TREK)
• Polka dot (mountains): Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates - XRG)
• White (young rider): Isaac Del Toro (UAE Team Emirates - XRG)
• Yellow numbers (teams): LIDL-TREK
• Golden numbers (combativity award): Baptiste Veistroffer (Lotto Intermarche)

2026 Tour de France Stage 8: How to watch, schedule and distance​

• Date: Saturday, July 11, 2026
• Time: Coverage begins at 6:30 a.m. ET
• Location: Périgueux to Bergerac
• Distance: 180.4 kilometers (112.1 miles)
• Type: Flat
• Streaming: Peacock

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tour de France Stage 7 winner: Belgian sprinter Tim Merlier wins in Bordeaux

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