CHATEAUROUX, France :Tim Merlier of Soudal Quick-Step won stage nine of the Tour de France on Sunday in a sprint finish to deny Jonathan Milan back-to-back stage victories after Mathieu van der Poel’s early attack saw him lead the stage until the last kilometre.
As van der Poel’s heroic effort ended in heartbreak at the end of the 174.1-kilometre ride from Chinon to Chateauroux, it marked a second stage win on the Tour this year for Merlier, who had also edged Milan in a photo finish on the third stage.
(Writing by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru;Editing by Ros Russell)
