TIM MERLIER sprinted to victory on stage seven of the Tour de France in Bordeaux today as Tadej Pogacar stayed safe in the yellow jersey.

Merlier was several places back on the final approach but picked his moment to charge past Jasper Philipsen and take his fourth career Tour stage win in a scrappy finish.

As riders bumped shoulders Philipsen, the winner the last time the Tour visited Bordeaux in 2023, opened up early after being dropped off by lead-out man Mathieu van der Poel more than 250 metres from the line, running out of steam as he finished fifth.

Soren Waerenskjold was second just ahead of Biniam Girmay.

“It was a mess to be in position,” Merlier said of the fight for space on the road. “I made it thanks to the team, great work from all of them…

“I feel really well. It’s only my third Tour de France and in every participation I think I’ve won so it makes me proud.”

Pogacar continues to lead by two minutes 42 seconds from rival Jonas Vingegaard, with the Slovenian’s team-mate Isaac del Toro three minutes 27 seconds down in third, three seconds ahead of Remco Evenepoel.