Tim Merlier joins Olav Kooij as Tour de France winner—and makes important plea for sprinters
CyclingFriday, 10 July 2026 at 19:09
Follow IDL Pro Cycling on Google
Stay up to date with the best cycling news by making us a preferred source on Google.
Follow us on GoogleTim Merlier has now won a stage in each of his three appearances at the Tour de France. After taking one victory on his debut in 2021 and winning twice last year, the Belgian powered to another triumph in Stage 7 of the 2026 Tour de France. Merlier admitted afterwards that the result brought considerable relief.
ADVERTISEMENT
Merlier won in the manner that has become familiar throughout his career. He came from deep, opened his sprint early and carried far more speed than his rivals through the final few hundred metres. By the time he reached the line, he had enough of an advantage to celebrate, while Jasper Philipsen and Alpecin-Premier Tech were left empty-handed despite appearing to have the best-organised lead-out.
Merlier’s first comments in the Tour de France flash interview focused on the timing of his winning effort. “I don’t know whether I timed it perfectly, because I launched my sprint with—I don’t even know how far there was still to go,” he said with a smile. “It was a mess trying to get into position, but I managed it thanks to my team.”
Soudal Quick-Step and Alpecin-Premier Tech had been the two teams that spent much of Stages 5 and 7 controlling the breakaway. This time, The Wolfpack were rewarded for their efforts. “I feel really good. This is only my third Tour de France, and I’ve won a stage every time I’ve participated, so that makes me very proud,” Merlier said.
Read more below!
Merlier wins without a lead-out, just like Olav Kooij
What stood out about Olav Kooij’s sprint victory on Day 5 and Merlier’s on Day 7 was the fact that both riders won without a real lead-out. On Wednesday, Kooij found his own way in the final 2 kilometers; on Friday, Merlier lost sight of his lead-out rider, Jasper Stuyven. “I was in a scramble, where I kept getting boxed out. So I had to get back to Jasper.”
As is so often the case, Merlier decided to just go for it when the opening presented itself. After being constantly “boxed out” back and forth, it was all or nothing. “Gaviria came in on the inside, but was caught in the wind and had to find a wheel again. From that moment on, I launched my sprint. I tried to figure out how many meters were left, but I couldn’t find a sign,” Merlier said at the press conference.
“So I had to go by feel, and luckily I had the legs to hold on until the finish,” he continued, knowing that his lead-out train had already been somewhat decapitated by Bert Van Lerberghe’s withdrawal in Stage 6. “I did miss him during the stage, but that will be even more the case in the coming stages. I always trust him for the lead-out, and he always keeps me out of the wind.”
Read more below the photo
Merlier hopes Tour de France sprint opportunities do not decrease further
Another similarity with Kooij: Merlier also missed the winter due to an injury and, just like the Dutchman, didn’t start the 2026 season until late. But just like Kooij, Merlier also won right away upon his return. He headed into the Tour de France with six victories under his belt. “My sprinting form was still there, but when you have to go to the Tour de France, you’re still missing two months of training.”
“It’s always a little scary when you arrive here at the highest level of cycling,” said Merlier, who thus received a positive boost. Relief—that’s what came through in the way he celebrated. “We had a meeting before the Tour de France team presentation in Barcelona, and during it, CEO Jurgen Foré said that I might be carrying too much pressure on my shoulders.”
“He made the same gesture I just made at the finish,” he said. Because for a sprinter, you have to strike quickly in the Tour, with opportunities dwindling every year. “You know there aren’t many chances in this Tour, and when one rider wins one, a second often follows. That does make you a little nervous. So I’m happy with the victory—it’s what you dream of as a kid.”
Finally, he issued a call to the Tour de France organizers and all other race organizers, emphasizing that sprinters remain important. “When I was a little boy, there were more opportunities for sprinters. I also read somewhere that this is the toughest Tour de France in years, so if you’re here as a sprinter… I hope I can continue to compete in Grand Tours as a sprinter.”
Bram van der Ploeg (Lindkedin | e-mail: [email protected]l)
Bram van der PloegEditor-in-chief
Bram van der Ploeg (35) is the proud founder of In de Leiderstrui, IDL Pro Cycling's parent site, launched in 2018. Finally, he could create stories about the sport he had followed since childhood. He is the editor-in-chief on paper, but prefers to be with his recorder next to a rider, a team bus, or in the mud at a cyclocross race. Every year, from February to the end of May, Bram follows the entire Italian cycling season, from the Trofeo Laigueglia to the Giro d'Italia, with the grand finale in October in Lombardy. During that time, he lives in Tuscany, where he has since come to call Italy his 'home'.
IDL-productions
2026 Vuelta a España stage 3 preview | Pogačar, Van Aert and Pedersen face a tricky finish at 2,000 metres
2026 Vuelta a España route | Visma | Lease a Bike strikes on day 2
2026 Vuelta a España stage 2 preview | Mads Pedersen knows this Manosque finish better than anyone
With Swiss precision: Stefan Küng recreated Vuelta’s Monaco time trial... on a military base!
These Vuelta a España riders start with question marks — making them risks or opportunities for your fantasy team
Latest Cycling News
2026 Vuelta a España stage 4 preview | Pogacar vs. Andorra locals in cycling mecca
Apocalyptic conditions led to cancellation of third stage of Vuelta a España
New Visma documentary shows a frustrated Jonas Vingegaard claim the Tour de France route was 'made for Pogačar
Visma team manager Wynants supports the Vuelta organisers' cancellation decision: 'Too dangerous to continue'
Alberto Contador: 'Lance Armstrong is the last thing on Tadej Pogačar's mind'
Popular Cycling News
Cycling transfers 2026/2027 | These riders have switched teams or retired
2026 Vuelta a España start list & drop outs | First drop out is from Burgos Burpellet
2026 Vuelta a España route | Visma | Lease a Bike strikes on day 2
Tadej Pogačar (3rd) admits after Brennan win: 'I didn't know what to do'
Van Aert explains why he missed out on Vuelta red in time trial: 'That was my own choice'
Latest Comments
- I don't know why anyone wastes time listening to Lance Armstrong, let alone taking the time to add commentary to a disgraced human being whose only center of interest or concern is himself. Stop feeding the beast by giving himm the attention he craves,rjb24-08-2026
- - Armstrong’s take adds nothing. Contador nailed it: Pog rides for the next race, not for someone else’s legacy. End of.raceready724-08-2026
- - So if Pog wins Vuelta + Worlds, does that make this his best season ever? Or was the Tour + monuments year already peak? Opinions?velodromevirtuoso124-08-2026
- - “Onley” getting a shout is interesting. Big talent, but three-week engine vs Pog? Vamos, pero difícil.tourdeforce924-08-2026
- - Pog’s biggest rival is bad luck, not the field. If he stays upright, it’s game over. Simple as.cadencekingm24-08-2026
- - Love the confidence but writing off Carapaz and Gall entirely seems harsh. If UAE has an off day in the mountains, those two can pounce. GC is rarely that linear.jeremya24-08-2026
- - Quick question: does the Vuelta route this year favour pure climbers or is there enough TT to balance it? I’m confused how much advantage Pogačar really has on flat-ish days.robert6524-08-2026
- - Is Armstrong’s “seven” even relevant anymore? Feels like stirring the pot for clicks. Pog’s calendar—Vuelta, Worlds, Lombardia—says he’s chasing wins, not ghosts.lindae24-08-2026
- - Contador calling Pog the sole favourite feels spot on. Unless he crashes or gets sick, nobody’s matching that climbing + TT combo over three weeks. Roglič might nick a stage, but GC? No way.michael5424-08-2026
- - Bit harsh on the organiser bashing, no? If they only hired her for two days maybe they were trying a social push and it simply misfired. Critique the decision, sure, but let’s not torch the whole comms team.bikebuffj24-08-2026
Loading
