Tour de France 2025: Tim Merlier wins stage 9 as Van der Poel break falls brief – dwell | Tour de France 2025
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Key occasions
Tim Merlier wins stage 9!
Merlier was on Milan’s wheel however was compelled to go spherical one other rider however had the ability to get forward. What a end to as we speak’s stage!
700m to go: I used to be screaming at my TV then. Absolute heartbreak for Mathieu van der Poel who’s swamped by the peloton. And it resulted in a giant outdated bunch dash as all previews predicted.
2km to go: Oof, that is so tense. Van der Poel solely has a seven seconds benefit now. The peloton are looming and Van der Poel pushes once more.
4km to go: Alpecin-Deceuninck’s Mathieu van der Poel simply regarded over his shoulder and didn’t see any riders coming. He’s actually preventing for this end. The time hole is being chewed up by the peloton. It’s at 13secs.
6km to go: Mathieu van der Poel goes solo! Trustworthy group mate Jonas Rickaert is finished. The bunch are rising the tempo. That is going to be tight.
Jonas Rickaert wins the combative award
9km to go: Jonas Rickaert has been awarded essentially the most combative rider as we speak. Bahrain Victorious, Tudor and Lidl-Trek are taking turns on the entrance of the bunch.
12km to go: Visma-Lease a Bike are nonetheless on the entrance of the peloton, pushing the tempo and making an attempt to deliver that point hole down. Jonas Rickaert is wanting drained now (who would blame him?). Certainly, he’s going to drop off quickly and Mathieu van der Poel goes to should go solo.
16km to go: Mathieu van der Poel and Jonas Rickaert have been getting recent bidons from the Alpecin-Deceuninck group automobile. Their 1min 20secs forward of the peloton now. Polka dot jersey wearer Tim Wellens (UAE Crew Emirates XRG) has executed his job for the day and has dropped again off the peloton.
22km to go: Wout Van Aert has been dropped from the peloton. The polka dot jersey and maillot jaune may be noticed up on the entrance of the group. The hole between the breakaway and peloton retains shrinking after which drawing again out once more. It’s at 48secs now.
24km to go: All the GC riders are frantically making an attempt to makes positive they don’t get caught behind a break up on this crosswind part. They’re consuming up the hole that Alpecin-Deceuninck’s Jonas Rickaert and Mathieu van der Poel have spent so lengthy creating. It now sits at 38secs at 24km to go. There’s a sharp flip developing quickly.
28km to go: The common velocity of the peloton is slightly below 50km/h. Visma-Lease a Bike have taken up place on the entrance of the bunch. The hole to the breakaway has been chopped to 52secs.
On the ‘title the breakaway’ sport, I’ve had a pair extra recommendations. Richard suggests “Antwerp diamond sellers” and Ade says:
Van der Poel & Rickaert … prog home??? On Platypus??? That’d be Goa trance to you, sir! Fascinating trivia, although – they had been the Hartnoll brothers, however to keep away from a label dispute, named themselves after a pair of Dutch émigré highwaymen, who terrorised Norfolk in 1667.
31km to go: The peloton has break up once more because of echelons forming. Purple Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe and Complete Energies are driving the entrance bunch. About 40 riders are off the again, together with Santiago Buitrago, Jonas Abrahamsen and Ben O’Connor. They’re a few minute behind
36km to go: There’s a proper flip developing and the peloton are preventing for the perfect place to go into it. Tim Wellens and Tadej Pogačar (UAE Crew Emirates XRG) are close to the entrance. There’s fairly a little bit of street furnishings for the bunch to naviagte too.
Alpecin-Deceuninck’s Jonas Rickaert and Mathieu van der Poel are already in a extra open a part of the street, with a niche 1min 40secs.
43km to go: The hole between the breakaway and the peloton has dropped to simply below 2min. Sean Kelly, in contrast to Adam Blythe, on TNT Sports activities is adamant that the breakaway received’t win as we speak’s stage. The riders are heading in to a headwind quickly.
52km to go: An in depth up of Alpecin-Deceuninck’s Jonas Rickaert confirmed him grimacing somewhat. He’s placing in a terrific effort alongside group mate Mathieu van der Poel on the breakaway.
Arkéa-B&B Resorts are taking a flip driving the peloton, which has come again collectively after splitting earlier. Georg Zimmerman (Intermarché-Wanty) is struggling after a crash earlier and is about 30secs behind the bunch.
57km to go: Jayco-Alula are taking a flip on the entrance of the bunch. Oscar Onley (Picnic PostNL) is again with the bunch. Alpecin-Deceuninck’s Jonas Rickaert and Mathieu van der Poel are plugging away – they’ve 3min 24secs on the group.
In about 20km time, crosswinds come into play and there could possibly be echelons.
66km to go: Oscar Onley, Ben O’Connor, Sepp Kuss, Mathieu Burgaudeau and Lenny Martinez are among the many 22 riders within the group behind the peloton. The hole between the chasing group and the breakaway is as much as 4mins.
71km to go: There’s a giant break up within the peloton and Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) was caught behind it. He’s simply put in a giant effort to bridge throughout. The hole between the breakaway and the peloton has dropped to 3mins 40secs.
João Almeida withdraws from the Tour de France 2025
The information is simply coming in that João Almeida has withdrawn from this yr’s Tour. He dropped off the again off the peloton once more and obtained in to the group automobile. UAE Crew Emirates-XRG have simply radioed the riders on the street to allow them to know.
Almeida, also known as the highest lieutenant of Tadej Pogačar, suffered a damaged rib and numerous abrasions after crashing on stage seven.
82km to go: Soudal Fast-Step have determined to additionally take part within the chase with Lidl-Trek and Uno-X Mobility. The hole between the peloton and breakaway sits at about 5mins.
There are some pretty scenic photographs on the TV protection, so right here is my try and share some comparable snaps:
91km to go: On the TV protection, the riders may be seen pouring water from their bidons on to themselves. It’s one other sizzling day for the peloton, with the temperatures sitting at about 31C. There additionally isn’t a lot shade on these uncovered roads via the French countryside.
100km to go: With 100km to go, Alpecin-Deceuninck’s Jonas Rickaert and Mathieu van der Poel have 5mins or so on the peloton. In different information, João Almeida (UAE Crew Emirates XRG) is again with the bunch.
Additionally, Lidl-Trek have had takers and Uno-X Mobility have determined to collaborate, with Andreas Leknessund does a robust flip on the entrance of the bunch.
Will has emailed in to say Adam Blythe’s maths does want checking:
[The] Peloton solely must go about 2km/h faster than the break to catch them.
Disgrace.
Rattling. However, thanks for clarifying Will!
110km to go: Tadej Pogačar (UAE Crew Emirates XRG) group mate, João Almeida, is struggling. He’s been dropped by the peloton. He’s using with a damaged rib after a crash within the last of stage seven.
Jens Voigt has obtained some intel on Pavel Bittner (Picnic-PostNL) – apparently the sprinter is OK however his group are nonetheless weighing up whether or not he’ll contest the dash later.
114km to go: German nationwide champion, Georg Zimmerman (Intermarché-Wanty), has crashed and landed off the street within the grass. He’s again up and again on his bike however appears fairly sore with some street rash.
He’s now being attended to by the physician’s automobile.
116km to go: Mathieu van der Poel is within the digital yellow jersey in the meanwhile. The pair have simply obtained a load of gels from the Alpecin-Deceuninck group automobile. Skilled cyclists doing assaults like these devour about 120g (or extra) of carbs per hour.
123km to go: Lidl-Trek are diving the peloton however are the one ones at current. Alpecin-Deceuninck clearly received’t be serving to now and Tim Merlier’s group Soudal-Fast-Step are taking care of Remco Evenepoel. Lidl-Trek want one other group to step up and take part.
127km to go: Adam Blythe has gone for it by saying he thinks Alpecin-Deceuninck’s Mathieu van der Poel and Jonas Rickaert will win the stage. He factors out that the pair are using at about 54km/h with a tailwind so the peloton must go at about 60km/h to catch them. I haven’t checked Blythe’s maths however you get the purpose. The hole is now at 5mins 26secs.
Chris has messaged to say:
In a considerably private campaign to deliver again this dormant Guardian function:
Identify That Breakaway: Van der Poel & Rickaert
A elegant 90’s prog home duo, liable for a slew of classics on the Platypus imprint and far favoured by Sasha & Digweed again within the day. Who can neglect their remix of Orbital’s Chime?
Some other takers for this sport?
132km to go: There’s been a crash. Sprinters like Sam Watson (Ineos Grenadiers), Soren Waerenskjold (Uno-X Mobility) and Pavel Bittner (Picnic-PostNL) are down. All of the riders concerned are again on their bikes now however Waerenskjold appears in ache and visibly upset.
138km to go: Alpecin-Deceuninck’s Mathieu van der Poel and Jonas Rickaert are actually 4mins 30secs forward of the peloton. After the outcomes of the intermediate dash, the place Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Wanty) took 13 factors, he stays in third place on the dash classification and Van der Poel stays in fourth. Based on my fast maths, 9 dash factors seperate them in the meanwhile.
Mark has obtained in contact from Florida. He has a few questions:
In earlier years, there have been many double-wheeled moto bikes protecting the Tour de France. This yr I’ve not seen any. Any thought why? Are they out of vogue now days?
And
Each bike owner appears to put on the identical socks – white, mid-calf. What with all of the aero testing executed now days, I’m stunned there may be so little deviation – except there’s a sock rule. What have you learnt about this?
I’m unsure concerning the double-wheeled moto bikes, however I do know that there’s a sock rule. There’s a most sock peak set by the UCI, so the riders will all be sporting the best aero socks inside the restrict. The white socks could be because of the warmth, but additionally the truth that so many are sporting white biking sneakers too.
146km to go: The peloton have reached the intermediate dash. There’s a gaggle of 5 riders, together with Jonathan Milan and Biniam Girmay, who do a “70% effort” (in accordance with Sean Kelly) dash for the reamining factors.
Outcomes of the intermediate dash
1. Van der Poel, 20 pts
2. Rickaert, 17 pts
3. Milan, 15 pts
4. Girmay, 13 pts
5. Merlier, 11 pts
6. Turgis, 10 pts
7. Consonni, 9 pts
8. Coquard, 8 pts
9. De Lie, 7 pts
10. Plapp, 6 pts
11. Wright, 5 pts
12. Simmons, 4 pts
13. Valgren, 3 pts
14. Sweeny, 2 pts
15. Berckmoes, 1 pt
148km to go: Van der Poel is first over the road on the intermediate dash, taking 20 inexperienced jersey factors, and Rickaert luggage 17 factors. They’re not sitting up! The duo have continued. They’ve virtually 4mins on the peloton however there may be such an extended solution to go.
151km to go: Sean Kelly on TNT Sports activities thinks Van der Poel and Rickaert would possibly hold going after the intermediate dash. It’ll be fascinating to see in the event that they do.
Alpecin-Deceuninck simply informed Jens Voigt, who’s out on the moto, that they anticipate the break to be allowed to go away earlier than the intermediate dash. They needed to make the stage somewhat more durable than yesterday.
Listed here are a few photos coming in from the street:
156km to go: Alpecin-Deceuninck’s Mathieu van der Poel and Jonas Rickaert are 3mins forward now with 6km to go till the intermediate dash.
Ineos Grenadiers group radioed their riders to say they suppose the breakaway will scoop up dash factors after which be a part of again within the peloton.
Simon has emailed in together with his ideas on as we speak’s stage:
Going to be a quiet day – a hopeless breakaway and a slog for the poor domestiques who should trip on the entrance of the peloton, retaining the break below management. A thankless job.
Little question the GC chaps are kicking again, ingesting classic Chinon AOC, which may age for many years and apparently tastes just like the ‘depths of a forest after a storm’.
That’s a lovely description. It sound scrumptious (I feel).
163km to go: The Alpecin-Deceuninck duo within the breakaway have over 2mins on the peloton now. Behind them, Lidl-Trek have upped the tempo barely. The group’s Jonathan Milan is the present inexperienced jersey wearer. Van der Poel is ranked fourth within the sprinter classification, so if he takes the 2o factors on the intermediate dash it may push him up a spot, forward of Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Wanty).
166km: Jonas Rutsch (Intermarché-Wanty) is receiving medical consideration from the Tour physician. His shoulder took successful yesterday after coming down on his method into the end. This morning he informed reporters:
I used to be pulling a lot of the day after which I had completed my job and the one factor I may actually do for the boys was to deliver some bottles. I went again to the automobile, gave some vests, some bottles … After which I used to be coming again to the peloton, I used to be à bloc. I regarded all the way down to put my bottle within the cage and once I regarded up, a man broke exhausting simply in entrance of me. I touched his wheel and I couldn’t put it aside any extra and I crashed.
A crash at greater than 50 km/h is rarely enjoyable. My shoulder is fairly banged up, a variety of street rash and bruises … However fortunately nothing is damaged. To any extent further I take it daily. In two days we now have a relaxation day so we’ll see.
We attempt our greatest. We’re right here to race and naturally as we speak I don’t really feel 100% sharp however I’ll give it my greatest. I got here right here to assist Biniam Girmay win a stage and we received’t stop.
170km: Van der Poel and Rickaert have stretched their hole to 1min 13secs already. Lidl-Trek are blocking on the entrance of the peloton and don’t appear curious about shutting the breakaway down. The intermediate dash is early on within the stage, developing in 21km.
The racing has begun!
172km to go: And we’re off! Alpecin-Deceuninck’s Mathieu van der Poel is straight off and up the street. He’s been joined by group mate Jonas Rickaert.
As a reminder, right here’s how the overall classification for the yellow jersey appears:
Common classification: prime 10 after stage eight
-
Tadej Pogačar (UAE Crew Emirates XRG) 29hrs 48mins 30secs
-
Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-Fast-Step) +54secs
-
Kévin Vauquelin (Arkéa-B&B Resorts) +1min 11secs
-
Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) +1min 17secs
-
Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) +1min 29secs
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Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike) +1min 34secs
-
Oscar Onley (Picnic-PostNL) +2mins 49secs
-
Florian Lipowitz (Purple Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) +3mins 2secs
-
Primož Roglič (Purple Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) +3mins 6secs
-
Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek) +3mins 43secs
At the moment’s rollout has begun
Stage 9 of the Tour de France 2025 is below method. The peloton have rolled out from a Chinon. There’s a 7.6km neutralised part earlier than the racing begins.
Stage 9’s official race briefing comes as we speak from French former pro-cyclist Gilles Maignan:
Stage 9, Chinon to Châteauroux, 174.1km [is] a stage made for sprinters. [There’s] not a lot in the best way of problem.
There might be a dash after 24km, an intermediate dash that would both launch the race or stall it if sprinters wish to go for factors. After that, there aren’t any climbs. Not a single climber on this stage.
The one problem could be the wind. If the wind picks up, that would change issues. There might be a variety of course adjustments alongside these 174km. A pure sprinter’s end, an extended straight line, no traps, on large boulevards.
There are a number of turns earlier than coming into downtown Châteauroux. If the wind blows, it may play a task. However total, a basic end, a mass dash, probably received by a pure sprinter like Cavendish who claimed his first win in Châteauroux. His very first of 35 Tour de France stage victories.
Right here is the route profile of stage 9:
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We’ll undoubtedly be listening to so much about Cavendish’s Châteauroux legacy as we speak. Let me know if in case you have any recollections of this, his first Tour stage win again in 2008:
Stage 9: Chinon to Châteauroux, 174km
Right here’s a take a look at as we speak’s stage, Sunday 13 July: Chinon to Châteauroux, 174.1km, with William Fotheringham’s preview:
British followers bear in mind Chateauroux for the primary of Mark Cavendish’s 35 stage wins in 2008 and his thirty second in 2021. With not a single rated climb en route, that is certain to be a dash day, and by this level, the stress might be mounting on the quick males who’re but to win: if Philipsen and Merlier are on type, the finger might be pointing at Biniam Girmay and Dylan Groenewegen.
The preview was written earlier than the Tour, so Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) received’t be within the combine as we speak after having to withdaw from the race on stage three.
Preamble
Howdy and welcome again to the Guardian’s Tour de France dwell weblog. It’s one other flat stage as we speak for the riders as they make their method from Chinon to Châteauroux over 174.1km of parcours. There’s a low elevation acquire of 1,400m, no categorised climbs and an intermediate dash at 24km in.
Châteauroux, which has been renamed ‘Cavendish Metropolis’ briefly, is a sprinter’s end. Mark Cavendish received 3 times within the metropolis and notably took the primary of his document 35 wins right here in 2008.
So, unsuprisingly, it’s going to be a day for the sprinters. Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) is recent off a victory yesterday – can he repeat it in one other bunch dash? Tim Merlier (Soudal-Fast-Step) was unfortunate yesterday, struggling a mechanical near the end and having to expend vitality making an attempt to get to the entrance of the pack earlier than a rush for the road. Maybe as we speak is his day? Or Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Wanty) may get his first stage win of this Tour? Oh, and we shouldn’t neglect Wout Van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike). I’d like to get your ideas, so please e-mail by way of the hyperlink above.
Earlier than the motion begins at 1.10pm CEST (12.10am BST), right here’s a refresher of how yesterday performed out:
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