Tour de France: Tim Merlier claims back-to-back victories on stage 8 with furious sprint into Bergerac

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Biniam Girmay second, Olav Kooij third as breakaway rider Liam Slock caught on the run-in to Bergerac

Tim Merlier of Belgium and Team Soudal Quick-Step celebrates at finish line as stage winner during the 113th Tour de France 2026, Stage 8
Tim Merlier wins stage 8 at the Tour de France (Image credit: Getty Images)
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It was back-to-back wins at the Tour de France for Tim Merlier (Soudal-QuickStep) as the Belgian sprinted to stage 8 victory after a tense finale that saw breakaway rider Liam Slock (Lotto Intermarché) caught at the very last, just 1.3km from the line.

Stage 7 winner Merlier had to come from behind and launch from seventh wheel, but once he went, his speed was completely untouchable, and he sped to the line to win for the second day in a row.

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Matilda Price
Assistant Features Editor

Matilda is an NCTJ-qualified journalist based in the UK who joined Cyclingnews in March 2025. Prior to that, she worked as the Racing News Editor at GCN, and extensively as a freelancer contributing to Cyclingnews, Cycling Weekly, Velo, Rouleur, Escape Collective, Red Bull and more. She has reported on the ground at all of the biggest events on the calendar, including the men's and women's Tours de France, the Giro d'Italia, the Vuelta a Espana, the Spring Classics and the World Championships. She has particular experience and expertise in women's cycling, and women's sport in general. She is a graduate of modern languages and sports journalism.

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