{"id":2038536,"date":"2026-07-10T17:34:32","date_gmt":"2026-07-10T14:34:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2038536"},"modified":"2026-07-10T17:34:32","modified_gmt":"2026-07-10T14:34:32","slug":"how-soudal-quickstep-dominated-the-high-speed-tour-de-france-sprint-into-bordeaux","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2038536","title":{"rendered":"How Soudal-QuickStep dominated the high-speed Tour de France sprint into Bordeaux"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uRXsWHiNBcy76HWo39RAk8-2200-80.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none upnext-article-divider\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 1 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" 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happened: UAE Team Emirates-XRG show their muscle on Montju\u00efc circuit on Tour de France stage 2\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTour de France\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>How Soudal-QuickStep dominated the high-speed Tour de France sprint into Bordeaux<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>News<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nStephen Farrand <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-07-10T17:34:32Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n10 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">&#8216;We were never in trouble&#8217; &#8211; New lead-out man Jasper Stuyven details how the Belgian team executed their race plan to perfection<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uRXsWHiNBcy76HWo39RAk8-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uRXsWHiNBcy76HWo39RAk8-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uRXsWHiNBcy76HWo39RAk8-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uRXsWHiNBcy76HWo39RAk8-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uRXsWHiNBcy76HWo39RAk8-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uRXsWHiNBcy76HWo39RAk8-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uRXsWHiNBcy76HWo39RAk8-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uRXsWHiNBcy76HWo39RAk8-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uRXsWHiNBcy76HWo39RAk8-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, 100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text font-article-copy\">Tim Merlier and Jasper Stuyven shake hands after the victory on stage 7 of the Tour de France<\/span><span class=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">2<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-738081f0-7c84-11f1-af17-772810e1fe48\">Jasper Stuyven shouted into his race radio as he slowed beyond the finish line of stage 7 of the Tour de France in Bordeaux to praise everyone at Soudal-QuickStep for perfectly executing their sprint strategy so that Tim Merlier could accelerate late and win.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Yes! That was a great job, boys!&#8221; <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> heard Stuyven shout into his radio before he reached Melier to celebrate their first Tour sprint victory.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-738081f0-7c84-11f1-af17-772810e1fe48-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Stuyven is new to Soudal this year, after 12 seasons at Lidl-Trek but he has quickly become a vital part of the team, a trusted road captain, a role model, and now also a lead-out for Merlier.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand inline-flex items-center\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/gmvwmhupgi1715762145.svg\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] block h-[18px] w-auto shrink-0 brightness-0 invert\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"aspect-video w-full min-h-[200px] lg:min-h-[330px] relative overflow-hidden bg-black\" data-jwp-carousel-container>\n<div class=\"absolute inset-0 size-full items-center justify-center bg-white\" data-jwp-carousel-fallback><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/gmvwmhupgi1715762145.svg\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] max-h-12 w-auto\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Merlier&#8217;s close friend and usual lead-out man Bert Van Lerberghe suffered in the Pyrenees on Thursday and abandoned the Tour. Stuyven stepped up to lead out Merlier in the fast Bordeaux finish.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">As he tried to warm down in the humid heat of Bordeaux, Stuyven talked <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> through every detail of the sprint, giving a rare analysis from inside the peloton.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EAoPjZGvfkRB2aL3VVjyZS-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EAoPjZGvfkRB2aL3VVjyZS-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;That&#8217;s just not how it should be&#8217; \u2013 Jasper Philipsen well short of sprinting speed as Alpecin-Premier Tech roll out old-fashioned lead-out train at Tour de France<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3guWYuBk97HHVPKPihMvvY-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3guWYuBk97HHVPKPihMvvY-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Tour de France: Tim Merlier banishes bunch in Bordeaux for stage 7 sprint victory<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/z2LghQ6JueBbrFoFEiMm3Z-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/z2LghQ6JueBbrFoFEiMm3Z-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;We also had our plan and we did exactly the opposite&#8217; &#8211; How Soudal-Quickstep avoided disaster to deliver Paul Magnier to Giro d&#8217;Italia victory <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;For me, it was about adapting. Previously, I did sprint lead-outs with multiple people, the way Alpecin did it today,&#8221; Stuyven said of his previous leadout role at Lidl-Trek for Jonathan Milan.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Today was different. It was just a matter of thinking smart, and seeing who&#8217;s there, and who has the control, or wants to take the control. We played it well. I was in control and I could anticipate the movements of the bunch.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-4PRq8hhYL5kPA2E2egsQZN\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-4PRq8hhYL5kPA2E2egsQZN slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Stuyven was careful to praise each Soudal rider for their work during the stage.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Everyone was super focused today and really motivated. I could be good for the final because everyone did such a great job, we were never in trouble,&#8221; Stuyven said.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Valentin Paret-Peintre and Ilan Van Wilder kept going to the car for bottles as the heat increased today. At the start, it was a bit nicer, but not for long. Then Pascal Eenkhoorn pulled, then he got dropped, got back on with bidons, pulled again and kept fighting to come back.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aASDXVCFnhwrpQzycvzV9a-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aASDXVCFnhwrpQzycvzV9a-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;I was alone&#8217; \u2013 Door open for next Tour de France sprints with speed, but not luck, on Tim Merlier&#8217;s side in Pau<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qEZWTjykHLMAPBfGicedSZ-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qEZWTjykHLMAPBfGicedSZ-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">As it happened: Flat stage 7 of the Tour de France finishes in a bunch sprint<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cUiBWi6XKDEBM5QmoDuaxR-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cUiBWi6XKDEBM5QmoDuaxR-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;You have to take every opportunity you get&#8217; &#8211; After four days of suffering Tim Merlier is ready for first sprint of 2026 Tour de France<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Every extra pull he did was saving energy for Dylan van Baarle who did the perfect run into the seven-kilometre mark [at a narrowing in the road], which was super important for everyone. Then Louis Vervaeke brought us to the key 4.8 km to go point. I think everyone can be super proud of what they did today.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The stage headed to Bordeaux from the south and switched along the banks of the Garonne river in the final kilometres. Before then Baptiste Veistroffer (Lotto-Intermarch\u00e9) and Jakub Otruba (Caja Rural -Seguros RGA) acted as the hare to chase, with Soudal and Alpecin doing much of the work.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Along with Alpecin, we were the only team riding to bring the break back, so I\u2019m happy it\u2019s not another team who won,&#8221; Merleir said with pride.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In the final kilometres along the Garonne, Stuyven knew it was his time to step up and protect Merlier. Stuyven had a different role when the Tour last finished in Bordeaux but that experience proved vital.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I remembered the slide bends in the final kilometres, where the leading riders go from the left to the right,&#8221; that means you can create that space to move up if necessary. That was perfect for us,&#8221; he said of the section under bridges and on curving roads in the final four kilometres.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Ineos bumped against Cofidis and then Alpecin-Premier Tech massed near the front, trying to control the sprint with a train of riders. Stuyven and Merlier preferred a freestyle sprint strategy.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In the final five hundred metres, Philipsen clashed with Fernando Gaviria (Caja Rural) after his early hit out, and after S\u00f8ren W\u00e6renskjold (Uno-X Mobility) kicked early. Merlier was a little behind but pulled out another winning move. He came up late, found a gap on the left and used his late power to accelerate to victory.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">He was the first Belgian to win a stage in this year&#8217;s Tour, the 13th Soudal rider to win a Tour sprint stage and took his fourth Tour victory in just three rides.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;He still needs to sprint of course, but if you lead him out like that, the chances of victory are high,&#8221; Stuyven said of Merlier&#8217;s ability to finish off the work of his teammates.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It&#8217;s not that he has no competition here but it&#8217;s sweet that he finished it off.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>Subscribe to Cyclingnews for unlimited access to our unrivalled reporting of the 2026 Tour de France. From Barcelona through to Paris, our experienced team will bring you breaking news, expert insight, and in-depth coverage from every stage as the battle for the yellow jersey plays out. Plus, access the Cyclingnews app to follow the action on the go! <\/strong><u><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-4PRq8hhYL5kPA2E2egsQZN\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-4PRq8hhYL5kPA2E2egsQZN slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3CCmsgV6sDgU5yLthueHtn-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3CCmsgV6sDgU5yLthueHtn.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3CCmsgV6sDgU5yLthueHtn.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3CCmsgV6sDgU5yLthueHtn.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Stephen Farrand<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">Social Links Navigation<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Editor-at-large<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Stephen is one of the most experienced members of the <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> team, having reported on professional cycling since 1994. Before becoming Editor-at-large, he was Head of News at <em>Cyclingnews.<\/em> He has previously worked for <em>Shift Active Media, Reuters<\/em> and <em>Cycling Weekly. <\/em>He is a member of the Board of the Association Internationale des Journalistes du Cyclisme (AIJC).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6 mx-4 lg:mx-0\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-lg!\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-sm!\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EAoPjZGvfkRB2aL3VVjyZS-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EAoPjZGvfkRB2aL3VVjyZS-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EAoPjZGvfkRB2aL3VVjyZS-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EAoPjZGvfkRB2aL3VVjyZS-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EAoPjZGvfkRB2aL3VVjyZS-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;That&#8217;s just not how it should be&#8217; \u2013 Jasper Philipsen well short of sprinting speed as Alpecin-Premier Tech roll out old-fashioned lead-out train at Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3guWYuBk97HHVPKPihMvvY-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3guWYuBk97HHVPKPihMvvY-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3guWYuBk97HHVPKPihMvvY-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3guWYuBk97HHVPKPihMvvY-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3guWYuBk97HHVPKPihMvvY-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tour de France: Tim Merlier banishes bunch in Bordeaux for stage 7 sprint victory<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/z2LghQ6JueBbrFoFEiMm3Z-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/z2LghQ6JueBbrFoFEiMm3Z-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/z2LghQ6JueBbrFoFEiMm3Z-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/z2LghQ6JueBbrFoFEiMm3Z-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/z2LghQ6JueBbrFoFEiMm3Z-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We also had our plan and we did exactly the opposite&#8217; &#8211; How Soudal-Quickstep avoided disaster to deliver Paul Magnier to Giro d&#8217;Italia victory <\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aASDXVCFnhwrpQzycvzV9a-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aASDXVCFnhwrpQzycvzV9a-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aASDXVCFnhwrpQzycvzV9a-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aASDXVCFnhwrpQzycvzV9a-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aASDXVCFnhwrpQzycvzV9a-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I was alone&#8217; \u2013 Door open for next Tour de France sprints with speed, but not luck, on Tim Merlier&#8217;s side in Pau<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qEZWTjykHLMAPBfGicedSZ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qEZWTjykHLMAPBfGicedSZ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qEZWTjykHLMAPBfGicedSZ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qEZWTjykHLMAPBfGicedSZ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qEZWTjykHLMAPBfGicedSZ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">As it happened: Flat stage 7 of the Tour de France finishes in a bunch sprint<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cUiBWi6XKDEBM5QmoDuaxR-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cUiBWi6XKDEBM5QmoDuaxR-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cUiBWi6XKDEBM5QmoDuaxR-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cUiBWi6XKDEBM5QmoDuaxR-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cUiBWi6XKDEBM5QmoDuaxR-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;You have to take every opportunity you get&#8217; &#8211; After four days of suffering Tim Merlier is ready for first sprint of 2026 Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Racing<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V3v4sFXid22hH2BLxyKTHW-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V3v4sFXid22hH2BLxyKTHW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V3v4sFXid22hH2BLxyKTHW-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V3v4sFXid22hH2BLxyKTHW-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V3v4sFXid22hH2BLxyKTHW-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">European champion Erica Magnaldi scores latest gravel win with Italian National Championships title<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BDymtCYrYBQqaxnTEvQHBJ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BDymtCYrYBQqaxnTEvQHBJ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BDymtCYrYBQqaxnTEvQHBJ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BDymtCYrYBQqaxnTEvQHBJ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BDymtCYrYBQqaxnTEvQHBJ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I&#8217;m not used to having to sprint for the win, so that was scary&#8217; \u2013 Risky move pays off for Bjorn Riley with his first UCI Mountain Bike World Cup win<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2byiEwgZAC7MEpQwXfAGYW-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2byiEwgZAC7MEpQwXfAGYW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2byiEwgZAC7MEpQwXfAGYW-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2byiEwgZAC7MEpQwXfAGYW-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2byiEwgZAC7MEpQwXfAGYW-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Hello Traka 300, goodbye Traka 560 &#8211; Only one endurance race for pro categories to build &#8216;a more selective, competitive and safe field&#8217; in 2027<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rxVp4RQLFudUum3wynmQHe-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rxVp4RQLFudUum3wynmQHe-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rxVp4RQLFudUum3wynmQHe-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rxVp4RQLFudUum3wynmQHe-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rxVp4RQLFudUum3wynmQHe-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">The Tour de France organisers wanted &#8216;suspense to the end&#8217; but the Tourmalet stage design backfired dramatically \u2013 and they should have seen it coming<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3guWYuBk97HHVPKPihMvvY-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3guWYuBk97HHVPKPihMvvY-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3guWYuBk97HHVPKPihMvvY-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3guWYuBk97HHVPKPihMvvY-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3guWYuBk97HHVPKPihMvvY-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tour de France: Tim Merlier banishes bunch in Bordeaux for stage 7 sprint victory<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZLUgy5vBr5jFpGNTF66aMH-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZLUgy5vBr5jFpGNTF66aMH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZLUgy5vBr5jFpGNTF66aMH-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZLUgy5vBr5jFpGNTF66aMH-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZLUgy5vBr5jFpGNTF66aMH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tour de France Femmes 2026 stage 9 preview<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in News<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V3v4sFXid22hH2BLxyKTHW-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V3v4sFXid22hH2BLxyKTHW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V3v4sFXid22hH2BLxyKTHW-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V3v4sFXid22hH2BLxyKTHW-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V3v4sFXid22hH2BLxyKTHW-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">European champion Erica Magnaldi scores latest gravel win with Italian National Championships title<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GxeeApsxUPRuoDrj5mN4EH-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GxeeApsxUPRuoDrj5mN4EH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GxeeApsxUPRuoDrj5mN4EH-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GxeeApsxUPRuoDrj5mN4EH-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GxeeApsxUPRuoDrj5mN4EH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Baptiste Veistroffer has become the breakaway hero this Tour de France needs<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BDymtCYrYBQqaxnTEvQHBJ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BDymtCYrYBQqaxnTEvQHBJ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BDymtCYrYBQqaxnTEvQHBJ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BDymtCYrYBQqaxnTEvQHBJ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BDymtCYrYBQqaxnTEvQHBJ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I&#8217;m not used to having to sprint for the win, so that was scary&#8217; \u2013 Risky move pays off for Bjorn Riley with his first UCI Mountain Bike World Cup win<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/959MkazUCwnWPad37jYS87-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/959MkazUCwnWPad37jYS87-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/959MkazUCwnWPad37jYS87-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/959MkazUCwnWPad37jYS87-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/959MkazUCwnWPad37jYS87-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I always love watching the sprints&#8217; &#8211; Caleb Ewan analyses the Tour de France sprint in Bordeaux<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K5zoEPprDoj4hnt8AEnmTE-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K5zoEPprDoj4hnt8AEnmTE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K5zoEPprDoj4hnt8AEnmTE-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K5zoEPprDoj4hnt8AEnmTE-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K5zoEPprDoj4hnt8AEnmTE-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;My body temperature is probably cooler than any Tour before&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar stresses importance of UAE&#8217;s hydration and nutrition changes in reaching new level at Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2byiEwgZAC7MEpQwXfAGYW-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2byiEwgZAC7MEpQwXfAGYW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2byiEwgZAC7MEpQwXfAGYW-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2byiEwgZAC7MEpQwXfAGYW-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2byiEwgZAC7MEpQwXfAGYW-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Hello Traka 300, goodbye Traka 560 &#8211; Only one endurance race for pro categories to build &#8216;a more selective, competitive and safe field&#8217; in 2027<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-popularBox\" class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice popularBox slice-container-popularBox\">\n<section data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"popular-box\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">LATEST ARTICLES<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div><source class=\"popular-box__article-list__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V3v4sFXid22hH2BLxyKTHW-320-80.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V3v4sFXid22hH2BLxyKTHW-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V3v4sFXid22hH2BLxyKTHW-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V3v4sFXid22hH2BLxyKTHW-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V3v4sFXid22hH2BLxyKTHW.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V3v4sFXid22hH2BLxyKTHW.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V3v4sFXid22hH2BLxyKTHW.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">European champion Erica Magnaldi scores latest gravel win with Italian National Championships title<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Baptiste Veistroffer has become the breakaway hero this Tour de France needs<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Remco Evenepoel and Florian Lipowitz are putting on a happy face at the Tour de France, but I&#8217;m not really buying it \u2013 is anyone?<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Tour de France 2026 stage 8 LIVE \u2013 Jasper Philipsen and Tim Merlier\u2019s teams keeping the break controlled ahead of anticipated bunch sprint finish<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">The Tour de France organisers wanted &#8216;suspense to the end&#8217; but the Tourmalet stage design backfired dramatically \u2013 and they should have seen it coming<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTour de France\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>How Soudal-QuickStep dominated the high-speed Tour de France sprint into Bordeaux<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>News<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nStephen Farrand <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-07-10T17:34:32Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n10 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">&#8216;We were never in trouble&#8217; &#8211; New lead-out man Jasper Stuyven details how the Belgian team executed their race plan to perfection<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uRXsWHiNBcy76HWo39RAk8-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uRXsWHiNBcy76HWo39RAk8-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uRXsWHiNBcy76HWo39RAk8-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uRXsWHiNBcy76HWo39RAk8-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uRXsWHiNBcy76HWo39RAk8-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uRXsWHiNBcy76HWo39RAk8-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uRXsWHiNBcy76HWo39RAk8-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uRXsWHiNBcy76HWo39RAk8-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uRXsWHiNBcy76HWo39RAk8-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, 100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text font-article-copy\">Tim Merlier and Jasper Stuyven shake hands after the victory on stage 7 of the Tour de France<\/span><span class=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">2<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-738081f0-7c84-11f1-af17-772810e1fe48\">Jasper Stuyven shouted into his race radio as he slowed beyond the finish line of stage 7 of the Tour de France in Bordeaux to praise everyone at Soudal-QuickStep for perfectly executing their sprint strategy so that Tim Merlier could accelerate late and win.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Yes! That was a great job, boys!&#8221; <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> heard Stuyven shout into his radio before he reached Melier to celebrate their first Tour sprint victory.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-738081f0-7c84-11f1-af17-772810e1fe48-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Stuyven is new to Soudal this year, after 12 seasons at Lidl-Trek but he has quickly become a vital part of the team, a trusted road captain, a role model, and now also a lead-out for Merlier.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand inline-flex items-center\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/gmvwmhupgi1715762145.svg\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] block h-[18px] w-auto shrink-0 brightness-0 invert\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"aspect-video w-full min-h-[200px] lg:min-h-[330px] relative overflow-hidden bg-black\" data-jwp-carousel-container>\n<div class=\"absolute inset-0 size-full items-center justify-center bg-white\" data-jwp-carousel-fallback><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/gmvwmhupgi1715762145.svg\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] max-h-12 w-auto\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Merlier&#8217;s close friend and usual lead-out man Bert Van Lerberghe suffered in the Pyrenees on Thursday and abandoned the Tour. Stuyven stepped up to lead out Merlier in the fast Bordeaux finish.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">As he tried to warm down in the humid heat of Bordeaux, Stuyven talked <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> through every detail of the sprint, giving a rare analysis from inside the peloton.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EAoPjZGvfkRB2aL3VVjyZS-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EAoPjZGvfkRB2aL3VVjyZS-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;That&#8217;s just not how it should be&#8217; \u2013 Jasper Philipsen well short of sprinting speed as Alpecin-Premier Tech roll out old-fashioned lead-out train at Tour de France<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3guWYuBk97HHVPKPihMvvY-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3guWYuBk97HHVPKPihMvvY-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Tour de France: Tim Merlier banishes bunch in Bordeaux for stage 7 sprint victory<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/z2LghQ6JueBbrFoFEiMm3Z-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/z2LghQ6JueBbrFoFEiMm3Z-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;We also had our plan and we did exactly the opposite&#8217; &#8211; How Soudal-Quickstep avoided disaster to deliver Paul Magnier to Giro d&#8217;Italia victory <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;For me, it was about adapting. Previously, I did sprint lead-outs with multiple people, the way Alpecin did it today,&#8221; Stuyven said of his previous leadout role at Lidl-Trek for Jonathan Milan.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Today was different. It was just a matter of thinking smart, and seeing who&#8217;s there, and who has the control, or wants to take the control. We played it well. I was in control and I could anticipate the movements of the bunch.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-4PRq8hhYL5kPA2E2egsQZN\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-4PRq8hhYL5kPA2E2egsQZN slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Stuyven was careful to praise each Soudal rider for their work during the stage.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Everyone was super focused today and really motivated. I could be good for the final because everyone did such a great job, we were never in trouble,&#8221; Stuyven said.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Valentin Paret-Peintre and Ilan Van Wilder kept going to the car for bottles as the heat increased today. At the start, it was a bit nicer, but not for long. Then Pascal Eenkhoorn pulled, then he got dropped, got back on with bidons, pulled again and kept fighting to come back.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aASDXVCFnhwrpQzycvzV9a-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aASDXVCFnhwrpQzycvzV9a-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;I was alone&#8217; \u2013 Door open for next Tour de France sprints with speed, but not luck, on Tim Merlier&#8217;s side in Pau<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qEZWTjykHLMAPBfGicedSZ-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qEZWTjykHLMAPBfGicedSZ-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">As it happened: Flat stage 7 of the Tour de France finishes in a bunch sprint<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cUiBWi6XKDEBM5QmoDuaxR-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cUiBWi6XKDEBM5QmoDuaxR-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;You have to take every opportunity you get&#8217; &#8211; After four days of suffering Tim Merlier is ready for first sprint of 2026 Tour de France<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Every extra pull he did was saving energy for Dylan van Baarle who did the perfect run into the seven-kilometre mark [at a narrowing in the road], which was super important for everyone. Then Louis Vervaeke brought us to the key 4.8 km to go point. I think everyone can be super proud of what they did today.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The stage headed to Bordeaux from the south and switched along the banks of the Garonne river in the final kilometres. Before then Baptiste Veistroffer (Lotto-Intermarch\u00e9) and Jakub Otruba (Caja Rural -Seguros RGA) acted as the hare to chase, with Soudal and Alpecin doing much of the work.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Along with Alpecin, we were the only team riding to bring the break back, so I\u2019m happy it\u2019s not another team who won,&#8221; Merleir said with pride.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In the final kilometres along the Garonne, Stuyven knew it was his time to step up and protect Merlier. Stuyven had a different role when the Tour last finished in Bordeaux but that experience proved vital.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I remembered the slide bends in the final kilometres, where the leading riders go from the left to the right,&#8221; that means you can create that space to move up if necessary. That was perfect for us,&#8221; he said of the section under bridges and on curving roads in the final four kilometres.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Ineos bumped against Cofidis and then Alpecin-Premier Tech massed near the front, trying to control the sprint with a train of riders. Stuyven and Merlier preferred a freestyle sprint strategy.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In the final five hundred metres, Philipsen clashed with Fernando Gaviria (Caja Rural) after his early hit out, and after S\u00f8ren W\u00e6renskjold (Uno-X Mobility) kicked early. Merlier was a little behind but pulled out another winning move. He came up late, found a gap on the left and used his late power to accelerate to victory.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">He was the first Belgian to win a stage in this year&#8217;s Tour, the 13th Soudal rider to win a Tour sprint stage and took his fourth Tour victory in just three rides.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;He still needs to sprint of course, but if you lead him out like that, the chances of victory are high,&#8221; Stuyven said of Merlier&#8217;s ability to finish off the work of his teammates.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It&#8217;s not that he has no competition here but it&#8217;s sweet that he finished it off.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>Subscribe to Cyclingnews for unlimited access to our unrivalled reporting of the 2026 Tour de France. From Barcelona through to Paris, our experienced team will bring you breaking news, expert insight, and in-depth coverage from every stage as the battle for the yellow jersey plays out. Plus, access the Cyclingnews app to follow the action on the go! <\/strong><u><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-4PRq8hhYL5kPA2E2egsQZN\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-4PRq8hhYL5kPA2E2egsQZN slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3CCmsgV6sDgU5yLthueHtn-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3CCmsgV6sDgU5yLthueHtn.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3CCmsgV6sDgU5yLthueHtn.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3CCmsgV6sDgU5yLthueHtn.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Stephen Farrand<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">Social Links Navigation<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Editor-at-large<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Stephen is one of the most experienced members of the <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> team, having reported on professional cycling since 1994. Before becoming Editor-at-large, he was Head of News at <em>Cyclingnews.<\/em> He has previously worked for <em>Shift Active Media, Reuters<\/em> and <em>Cycling Weekly. <\/em>He is a member of the Board of the Association Internationale des Journalistes du Cyclisme (AIJC).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6 mx-4 lg:mx-0\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-lg!\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-sm!\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EAoPjZGvfkRB2aL3VVjyZS-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EAoPjZGvfkRB2aL3VVjyZS-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EAoPjZGvfkRB2aL3VVjyZS-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EAoPjZGvfkRB2aL3VVjyZS-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EAoPjZGvfkRB2aL3VVjyZS-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;That&#8217;s just not how it should be&#8217; \u2013 Jasper Philipsen well short of sprinting speed as Alpecin-Premier Tech roll out old-fashioned lead-out train at Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3guWYuBk97HHVPKPihMvvY-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3guWYuBk97HHVPKPihMvvY-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3guWYuBk97HHVPKPihMvvY-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3guWYuBk97HHVPKPihMvvY-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3guWYuBk97HHVPKPihMvvY-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tour de France: Tim Merlier banishes bunch in Bordeaux for stage 7 sprint victory<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/z2LghQ6JueBbrFoFEiMm3Z-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/z2LghQ6JueBbrFoFEiMm3Z-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/z2LghQ6JueBbrFoFEiMm3Z-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/z2LghQ6JueBbrFoFEiMm3Z-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/z2LghQ6JueBbrFoFEiMm3Z-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We also had our plan and we did exactly the opposite&#8217; &#8211; How Soudal-Quickstep avoided disaster to deliver Paul Magnier to Giro d&#8217;Italia victory <\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aASDXVCFnhwrpQzycvzV9a-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aASDXVCFnhwrpQzycvzV9a-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aASDXVCFnhwrpQzycvzV9a-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aASDXVCFnhwrpQzycvzV9a-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aASDXVCFnhwrpQzycvzV9a-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I was alone&#8217; \u2013 Door open for next Tour de France sprints with speed, but not luck, on Tim Merlier&#8217;s side in Pau<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qEZWTjykHLMAPBfGicedSZ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qEZWTjykHLMAPBfGicedSZ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qEZWTjykHLMAPBfGicedSZ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qEZWTjykHLMAPBfGicedSZ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qEZWTjykHLMAPBfGicedSZ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">As it happened: Flat stage 7 of the Tour de France finishes in a bunch sprint<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cUiBWi6XKDEBM5QmoDuaxR-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cUiBWi6XKDEBM5QmoDuaxR-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cUiBWi6XKDEBM5QmoDuaxR-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cUiBWi6XKDEBM5QmoDuaxR-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cUiBWi6XKDEBM5QmoDuaxR-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;You have to take every opportunity you get&#8217; &#8211; After four days of suffering Tim Merlier is ready for first sprint of 2026 Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Racing<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V3v4sFXid22hH2BLxyKTHW-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V3v4sFXid22hH2BLxyKTHW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V3v4sFXid22hH2BLxyKTHW-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V3v4sFXid22hH2BLxyKTHW-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V3v4sFXid22hH2BLxyKTHW-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">European champion Erica Magnaldi scores latest gravel win with Italian National Championships title<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BDymtCYrYBQqaxnTEvQHBJ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BDymtCYrYBQqaxnTEvQHBJ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BDymtCYrYBQqaxnTEvQHBJ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BDymtCYrYBQqaxnTEvQHBJ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BDymtCYrYBQqaxnTEvQHBJ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I&#8217;m not used to having to sprint for the win, so that was scary&#8217; \u2013 Risky move pays off for Bjorn Riley with his first UCI Mountain Bike World Cup win<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2byiEwgZAC7MEpQwXfAGYW-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2byiEwgZAC7MEpQwXfAGYW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2byiEwgZAC7MEpQwXfAGYW-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2byiEwgZAC7MEpQwXfAGYW-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2byiEwgZAC7MEpQwXfAGYW-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Hello Traka 300, goodbye Traka 560 &#8211; Only one endurance race for pro categories to build &#8216;a more selective, competitive and safe field&#8217; in 2027<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rxVp4RQLFudUum3wynmQHe-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rxVp4RQLFudUum3wynmQHe-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rxVp4RQLFudUum3wynmQHe-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rxVp4RQLFudUum3wynmQHe-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rxVp4RQLFudUum3wynmQHe-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">The Tour de France organisers wanted &#8216;suspense to the end&#8217; but the Tourmalet stage design backfired dramatically \u2013 and they should have seen it coming<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3guWYuBk97HHVPKPihMvvY-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3guWYuBk97HHVPKPihMvvY-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3guWYuBk97HHVPKPihMvvY-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3guWYuBk97HHVPKPihMvvY-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3guWYuBk97HHVPKPihMvvY-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tour de France: Tim Merlier banishes bunch in Bordeaux for stage 7 sprint victory<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZLUgy5vBr5jFpGNTF66aMH-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZLUgy5vBr5jFpGNTF66aMH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZLUgy5vBr5jFpGNTF66aMH-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZLUgy5vBr5jFpGNTF66aMH-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZLUgy5vBr5jFpGNTF66aMH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tour de France Femmes 2026 stage 9 preview<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in News<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V3v4sFXid22hH2BLxyKTHW-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V3v4sFXid22hH2BLxyKTHW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V3v4sFXid22hH2BLxyKTHW-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V3v4sFXid22hH2BLxyKTHW-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V3v4sFXid22hH2BLxyKTHW-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">European champion Erica Magnaldi scores latest gravel win with Italian National Championships title<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GxeeApsxUPRuoDrj5mN4EH-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GxeeApsxUPRuoDrj5mN4EH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GxeeApsxUPRuoDrj5mN4EH-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GxeeApsxUPRuoDrj5mN4EH-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GxeeApsxUPRuoDrj5mN4EH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Baptiste Veistroffer has become the breakaway hero this Tour de France needs<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BDymtCYrYBQqaxnTEvQHBJ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BDymtCYrYBQqaxnTEvQHBJ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BDymtCYrYBQqaxnTEvQHBJ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BDymtCYrYBQqaxnTEvQHBJ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BDymtCYrYBQqaxnTEvQHBJ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I&#8217;m not used to having to sprint for the win, so that was scary&#8217; \u2013 Risky move pays off for Bjorn Riley with his first UCI Mountain Bike World Cup win<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/959MkazUCwnWPad37jYS87-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/959MkazUCwnWPad37jYS87-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/959MkazUCwnWPad37jYS87-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/959MkazUCwnWPad37jYS87-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/959MkazUCwnWPad37jYS87-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I always love watching the sprints&#8217; &#8211; Caleb Ewan analyses the Tour de France sprint in Bordeaux<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K5zoEPprDoj4hnt8AEnmTE-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K5zoEPprDoj4hnt8AEnmTE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K5zoEPprDoj4hnt8AEnmTE-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K5zoEPprDoj4hnt8AEnmTE-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K5zoEPprDoj4hnt8AEnmTE-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;My body temperature is probably cooler than any Tour before&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar stresses importance of UAE&#8217;s hydration and nutrition changes in reaching new level at Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2byiEwgZAC7MEpQwXfAGYW-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2byiEwgZAC7MEpQwXfAGYW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2byiEwgZAC7MEpQwXfAGYW-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2byiEwgZAC7MEpQwXfAGYW-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2byiEwgZAC7MEpQwXfAGYW-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Hello Traka 300, goodbye Traka 560 &#8211; Only one endurance race for pro categories to build &#8216;a more selective, competitive and safe field&#8217; in 2027<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-popularBox\" class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice popularBox slice-container-popularBox\">\n<section data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"popular-box\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">LATEST ARTICLES<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div><source class=\"popular-box__article-list__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V3v4sFXid22hH2BLxyKTHW-320-80.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V3v4sFXid22hH2BLxyKTHW-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V3v4sFXid22hH2BLxyKTHW-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V3v4sFXid22hH2BLxyKTHW-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V3v4sFXid22hH2BLxyKTHW.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V3v4sFXid22hH2BLxyKTHW.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V3v4sFXid22hH2BLxyKTHW.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">European champion Erica Magnaldi scores latest gravel win with Italian National Championships title<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Baptiste Veistroffer has become the breakaway hero this Tour de France needs<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Remco Evenepoel and Florian Lipowitz are putting on a happy face at the Tour de France, but I&#8217;m not really buying it \u2013 is anyone?<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Tour de France 2026 stage 8 LIVE \u2013 Jasper Philipsen and Tim Merlier\u2019s teams keeping the break controlled ahead of anticipated bunch sprint finish<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">The Tour de France organisers wanted &#8216;suspense to the end&#8217; but the Tourmalet stage design backfired dramatically \u2013 and they should have seen it coming<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTour de France\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>How Soudal-QuickStep dominated the high-speed Tour de France sprint into Bordeaux<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>News<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nStephen Farrand <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-07-10T17:34:32Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n10 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">&#8216;We were never in trouble&#8217; &#8211; New lead-out man Jasper Stuyven details how the Belgian team executed their race plan to perfection<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 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Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">2<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-738081f0-7c84-11f1-af17-772810e1fe48\">Jasper Stuyven shouted into his race radio as he slowed beyond the finish line of stage 7 of the Tour de France in Bordeaux to praise everyone at Soudal-QuickStep for perfectly executing their sprint strategy so that Tim Merlier could accelerate late and win.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Yes! That was a great job, boys!&#8221; <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> heard Stuyven shout into his radio before he reached Melier to celebrate their first Tour sprint victory.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-738081f0-7c84-11f1-af17-772810e1fe48-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Stuyven is new to Soudal this year, after 12 seasons at Lidl-Trek but he has quickly become a vital part of the team, a trusted road captain, a role model, and now also a lead-out for Merlier.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand inline-flex items-center\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/gmvwmhupgi1715762145.svg\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] block h-[18px] w-auto shrink-0 brightness-0 invert\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"aspect-video w-full min-h-[200px] lg:min-h-[330px] relative overflow-hidden bg-black\" data-jwp-carousel-container>\n<div class=\"absolute inset-0 size-full items-center justify-center bg-white\" data-jwp-carousel-fallback><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/gmvwmhupgi1715762145.svg\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] max-h-12 w-auto\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Merlier&#8217;s close friend and usual lead-out man Bert Van Lerberghe suffered in the Pyrenees on Thursday and abandoned the Tour. Stuyven stepped up to lead out Merlier in the fast Bordeaux finish.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">As he tried to warm down in the humid heat of Bordeaux, Stuyven talked <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> through every detail of the sprint, giving a rare analysis from inside the peloton.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EAoPjZGvfkRB2aL3VVjyZS-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EAoPjZGvfkRB2aL3VVjyZS-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;That&#8217;s just not how it should be&#8217; \u2013 Jasper Philipsen well short of sprinting speed as Alpecin-Premier Tech roll out old-fashioned lead-out train at Tour de France<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3guWYuBk97HHVPKPihMvvY-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3guWYuBk97HHVPKPihMvvY-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Tour de France: Tim Merlier banishes bunch in Bordeaux for stage 7 sprint victory<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/z2LghQ6JueBbrFoFEiMm3Z-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/z2LghQ6JueBbrFoFEiMm3Z-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;We also had our plan and we did exactly the opposite&#8217; &#8211; How Soudal-Quickstep avoided disaster to deliver Paul Magnier to Giro d&#8217;Italia victory <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;For me, it was about adapting. Previously, I did sprint lead-outs with multiple people, the way Alpecin did it today,&#8221; Stuyven said of his previous leadout role at Lidl-Trek for Jonathan Milan.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Today was different. It was just a matter of thinking smart, and seeing who&#8217;s there, and who has the control, or wants to take the control. We played it well. I was in control and I could anticipate the movements of the bunch.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-4PRq8hhYL5kPA2E2egsQZN\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-4PRq8hhYL5kPA2E2egsQZN slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Stuyven was careful to praise each Soudal rider for their work during the stage.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Everyone was super focused today and really motivated. I could be good for the final because everyone did such a great job, we were never in trouble,&#8221; Stuyven said.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Valentin Paret-Peintre and Ilan Van Wilder kept going to the car for bottles as the heat increased today. At the start, it was a bit nicer, but not for long. Then Pascal Eenkhoorn pulled, then he got dropped, got back on with bidons, pulled again and kept fighting to come back.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aASDXVCFnhwrpQzycvzV9a-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aASDXVCFnhwrpQzycvzV9a-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;I was alone&#8217; \u2013 Door open for next Tour de France sprints with speed, but not luck, on Tim Merlier&#8217;s side in Pau<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qEZWTjykHLMAPBfGicedSZ-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qEZWTjykHLMAPBfGicedSZ-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">As it happened: Flat stage 7 of the Tour de France finishes in a bunch sprint<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cUiBWi6XKDEBM5QmoDuaxR-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cUiBWi6XKDEBM5QmoDuaxR-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;You have to take every opportunity you get&#8217; &#8211; After four days of suffering Tim Merlier is ready for first sprint of 2026 Tour de France<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Every extra pull he did was saving energy for Dylan van Baarle who did the perfect run into the seven-kilometre mark [at a narrowing in the road], which was super important for everyone. Then Louis Vervaeke brought us to the key 4.8 km to go point. I think everyone can be super proud of what they did today.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The stage headed to Bordeaux from the south and switched along the banks of the Garonne river in the final kilometres. Before then Baptiste Veistroffer (Lotto-Intermarch\u00e9) and Jakub Otruba (Caja Rural -Seguros RGA) acted as the hare to chase, with Soudal and Alpecin doing much of the work.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Along with Alpecin, we were the only team riding to bring the break back, so I\u2019m happy it\u2019s not another team who won,&#8221; Merleir said with pride.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In the final kilometres along the Garonne, Stuyven knew it was his time to step up and protect Merlier. Stuyven had a different role when the Tour last finished in Bordeaux but that experience proved vital.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I remembered the slide bends in the final kilometres, where the leading riders go from the left to the right,&#8221; that means you can create that space to move up if necessary. That was perfect for us,&#8221; he said of the section under bridges and on curving roads in the final four kilometres.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Ineos bumped against Cofidis and then Alpecin-Premier Tech massed near the front, trying to control the sprint with a train of riders. Stuyven and Merlier preferred a freestyle sprint strategy.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In the final five hundred metres, Philipsen clashed with Fernando Gaviria (Caja Rural) after his early hit out, and after S\u00f8ren W\u00e6renskjold (Uno-X Mobility) kicked early. Merlier was a little behind but pulled out another winning move. He came up late, found a gap on the left and used his late power to accelerate to victory.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">He was the first Belgian to win a stage in this year&#8217;s Tour, the 13th Soudal rider to win a Tour sprint stage and took his fourth Tour victory in just three rides.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;He still needs to sprint of course, but if you lead him out like that, the chances of victory are high,&#8221; Stuyven said of Merlier&#8217;s ability to finish off the work of his teammates.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It&#8217;s not that he has no competition here but it&#8217;s sweet that he finished it off.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>Subscribe to Cyclingnews for unlimited access to our unrivalled reporting of the 2026 Tour de France. From Barcelona through to Paris, our experienced team will bring you breaking news, expert insight, and in-depth coverage from every stage as the battle for the yellow jersey plays out. Plus, access the Cyclingnews app to follow the action on the go! <\/strong><u><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/racing\/how-soudal-quickstep-dominated-the-high-speed-tour-de-france-sprint-into-bordeaux\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uRXsWHiNBcy76HWo39RAk8-2200-80.jpg&#8221;] 1 Tour de France GC standings \u2013 Status quo on sprint stage to Bordeaux 2 As it happened: former World Champion wins Tour de France stage 4 as new race leader takes over from Tadej Poga\u010dar 3 As it happened: UAE Team Emirates-XRG show their muscle on Montju\u00efc circuit on Tour de [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,68],"class_list":["post-2038536","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-cyclingnews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2038536","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2038536"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2038536\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2038536"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2038536"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2038536"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}