Tim Merlier was the first to cross the finish line. © ANSA / YOAN VALAT

Tim Merlier sprints away from everyone again.

Belgian professional cyclist Tim Merlier won the eighth stage of this year's Tour de France.

July 11, 2026

From: dpa

The 33-year-old won the mass sprint after 180,4 kilometers between Périgueux and Bergerac. Biniam Girmay from Eritrea finished second, and Olav Kooij from the Netherlands took third place. It was Merlier's second stage win in this year's Tour de France.

The overall standings remain unchanged. Superstar Tadej pogacar He is 2:42 minutes ahead of his Danish long-time rival Jonas Vingegaard and 3:27 minutes ahead of teammate Isaac del Toro from Mexico.

On the ninth stage, the last day before the rest day, the classics specialists, including former world champion Mathieu van der Poel from the Netherlands, should be hoping for a stage win. The route in the Massif Central covers 185,5 kilometers between Malemort and Ussel – with almost 3.300 meters of elevation gain.