Belgian sprinter Tim Merlier secured victory in the ninth stage of the Tour de France, triumphing in a mass sprint after a valiant effort by Mathieu van der Poel was thwarted just before the finish line. The stage took place on July 14, 2024, covering a flat 174-kilometer (108-mile) route through central France. Despite the competitive dynamics, there were no significant changes in the overall standings, with three-time Tour champion Tadej Pogačar maintaining his lead in the yellow jersey.
The day began with Van der Poel, known for his dynamic racing style, initiating an early breakaway alongside his teammate Jonas Rickaert. The duo made an impressive effort, maintaining a pace of approximately 30 mph (50 kph) for most of the stage. However, the chasing pack caught up to them less than a kilometer from the finish, setting the stage for a thrilling sprint finish.
Merlier crossed the line ahead of Jonathan Milan, the winner of Stage 8, while Arnaud De Lie rounded out the podium. This victory marked Merlier’s second stage win of this year’s Tour. “I got boxed in a bit but then I managed to go all in and I was able to do my sprint like I wanted to, and I’m happy to win my second stage here,” he stated. He acknowledged the challenge posed by Milan, noting their competitive spirit.
In the overall standings, Remco Evenepoel, the double Olympic champion, remained in second place, trailing Pogačar by 54 seconds. French rider Kévin Vauquelin held third place at 1 minute and 11 seconds behind, while two-time Tour champion Jonas Vingegaard sat in fourth, 1 minute and 17 seconds off the pace.
Earlier in the stage, João Almeida, a crucial teammate of Pogačar, was forced to abandon the race. Almeida, who suffered a fractured rib during Stage 7, struggled early in the race and was ultimately unable to continue. He had been involved in a high-speed crash earlier in the week, narrowly avoiding a concussion but ultimately succumbing to the pain from his injury.
Looking ahead, the upcoming stage on July 15, known as Bastille Day, will feature a challenging mountainous route from Ennezat to Le Mont-Dore, including seven second-category climbs. The final ascent presents an 8% gradient, promising an intense battle among the riders. “We expect a very hot, hard stage tomorrow,” Pogačar remarked. “There will be a huge fight for the break, as it’s the French national day and all French riders will want to put on a great show. It will be hard to control, but we will be up there paying attention to the other team’s moves.”
As the Tour progresses, the competition intensifies, and the stakes grow higher for all participants.
