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Merlier Wins Stage 8 of Tour as Race Favorite Pogačar Keeps Yellow Jersey
Merlier earned his fifth career Tour stage win after a late attack fell short, and Pogacar stayed 2:42 ahead overall.
On Saturday, Belgian rider Tim Merlier won the eighth stage of the Tour in a sprint finish, while defending champion Tadej Pogacar maintained the race leader's yellow jersey.
The 180-kilometer route from Perigueux to Bergerac challenged the peloton in sweltering heat, marking Merlier's second consecutive sprint stage victory.
Attempting to pilot teammate Jasper Philipsen, Mathieu van der Poel led the charge but Merlier timed his run perfectly. Eritrean Biniam Girmay finished second and Dutchman Olav Kooij third, all clocked at 3 hours, 52 minutes, 50 seconds.
Four-Time champion Pogacar finished in the main pack with Jonas Vingegaard, maintaining his overall lead of 2 minutes, 42 seconds over his main rival.
Stage 9 on Sunday features a hilly trek from Malemort to Ussel in central France, while the Tour concludes with its traditional finish in Paris on July 26.
After his stage victory yesterday, Belgian cyclist Tim Merlier also won the 8th stage of the Tour de France. He won the 180-kilometer course between Périgueux and Bergerac in the Dordogne department.