(PRIMASPORT) Tim Merlier (Soudal-Quick-Step) secured his second consecutive victory at the 2026 Tour de France, taking Bergerac the day after his success in Bordeaux. Breakaway rider Liam Slock (Lotto Intermarché) held out until the final 1.5 kilometers, but stage eight was decided in a sprint finish that favored the Belgian star. Merlier now has five stage wins at the Tour and becomes the first sprinter to win back-to-back stages since Jasper Philipsen in the opening days of the 2023 Tour. The Alpecin-Premier Tech rider had to settle for fourth place in Bergerac, a better finish than in Bordeaux. Biniam Girmay (NSN) finished second, and Olav Kooij (Decathlon CMA CGM) completed the stage podium. Tadej Pogacar (UAE Emirates-XRG) crossed the finish line without any problems, retaining the Yellow Jersey ahead of the ninth stage, which featured numerous climbs on the roads of Corrèze. (PRIMASPORT)
Merlier secures second stage victory at the Tour de France, Pogacar secures yellow jersey
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