In a thrilling conclusion to one of the most dramatic stages of this year’s cycling calendar, Belgian sprinter Tim Merlier claimed victory in a chaotic final sprint, while Mathieu van der Poel’s bold solo breakaway came to a heartbreaking end inside the final kilometer.
The stage had all the ingredients of a classic: relentless attacks, tactical battles, and the suspense of a field chasing down a determined escapee. Van der Poel, known for his explosive riding style and refusal to conform to traditional race scripts, delivered one of the day’s most captivating performances. With over 30 kilometers remaining, the Alpecin-Deceuninck rider launched a daring solo attack, gambling on his ability to hold off the sprinters’ teams. For a while, it looked as though he might just pull it off.
Van der Poel’s move was vintage cycling theatre. As the peloton hesitated momentarily, calculating the chase, he quickly built up a significant gap. His legs churned through the kilometers with relentless determination, powering through crosswinds, small rises, and tight corners. Behind him, the sprinters’ teams scrambled to organize a cohesive chase, knowing that letting a rider of Van der Poel’s caliber go unchecked could cost them the stage win.
The chase began to gather momentum with around 10 kilometers to go. Teams like Soudal Quick-Step, Lotto-Dstny, and Alpecin-Deceuninck itself—working for Merlier—started to string out the peloton, steadily reeling in Van der Poel’s lead. But even as the kilometers ticked away, the Dutchman refused to yield, pouring every ounce of effort into his pedals in a desperate attempt to outwit the catch.
It wasn’t until the race reached the flamme rouge—the final kilometer marker—that Van der Poel’s brave bid came to an end. The peloton finally closed the gap, engulfing him just as his energy reserves ran dry. For cycling fans, it was a bittersweet moment: disappointment at seeing such a gutsy attack fall short, but admiration for Van der Poel’s relentless spirit.
With Van der Poel caught, the stage set up perfectly for the sprinters, and Tim Merlier did not miss his chance. Perfectly positioned by his lead-out train, Merlier unleashed his sprint with surgical precision in the closing meters. Timing his acceleration to perfection, he surged past his rivals to take the win, adding yet another prestigious sprint victory to his growing résumé.
“It was a tough day, but I’m really happy with how the team set me up,” Merlier said after the finish. “Mathieu’s attack was impressive, but we stayed calm, waited for the right moment, and in the end, I had the legs to finish it off.”
While the headlines rightly celebrate Merlier’s victory, Van der Poel’s performance ensured the stage will be remembered for its drama and daring. His all-in gamble may not have resulted in a win, but it captured the essence of racing: risk, courage, and spectacle.