Samwise Cycle Racing Newsletter
Sunday, July 12, 2026
Tim Merlier Claims Back-to-Back Tour de France Stage Wins with Sprint into Bergerac
Tim Merlier (Soudal-QuickStep) claimed back-to-back stage victories at the Tour de France, winning the 180.4 km Stage 8 sprint from Périgueux into Bergerac on Saturday. The Belgian launched from distance in a furious sprint to take the win. Biniam Girmay (NSN) finished second, with Olav Kooij (Decathlon) third and Jasper Philipsen fourth after being swallowed from behind in the chaotic finale. Merlier now has two stage wins at this Tour, heading into Stage 9 as the peloton’s dominant sprinter and sitting second in the green jersey standings behind Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek).
Sources: Cyclingnews Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Tour de France Stage 9 Shortened 30km Amid Red Alert Heatwave Warning in Central France
Organisers of the Tour de France have shortened Stage 9 by 30 kilometres in response to a red alert heatwave warning in central France. The Malemort-to-Ussel stage, originally scheduled at 185.5 km, was reduced to 155.5 km to protect rider welfare during dangerous heat. ASO made the announcement after French authorities issued the red alert for the region. Despite the reduction in distance, the four categorised climbs that make Sunday’s stage the first significant climbing test since the Pyrenees all remain on the route. Extreme heat has been a persistent factor throughout the 2026 Tour de France.
Sources: Cyclingnews Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Merlier Says Organisers Had No Alternative But to Shorten Stage 9 Amid Dangerous Heat Warnings
Stage 8 winner Tim Merlier expressed support for the Tour de France organisers’ decision to shorten Sunday’s Stage 9 amid extreme heat warnings. The Soudal-QuickStep sprinter said there was ‘not a lot of other things they can do’ given the red alert conditions forecast for the Ussel region of central France. Merlier, who has won back-to-back stages in sweltering conditions this week, acknowledged the physical toll of racing in intense heat day after day. The decision drew broad support from the peloton, with riders and staff welcoming the protective move as temperatures in the region are expected to exceed dangerous thresholds.
Sources: Cyclingnews Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Wærenskjold Slams Girmay for Dangerous Riding After Commissaire Warning in Stage 8 Sprint
Søren Wærenskjold (Uno-X Mobility) accused Biniam Girmay of dangerous riding after the NSN sprinter was given a warning by race commissaires for intimidation during the Stage 8 sprint into Bergerac. Wærenskjold, who finished 11th after being forced to brake in the final corner, said Girmay ‘rode like a complete idiot’ and pushed him throughout the curve, causing him to lose momentum. Girmay was given a warning but avoided relegation; Olav Kooij (Decathlon) also received a warning. Uno-X team manager Thor Hushovd reviewed the video but ultimately opted not to lodge a protest, saying it is part of sprinting.
Sources: Cyclingnews Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Girmay Concedes Merlier Is the Fastest Sprinter at Tour de France After Stage 8 Second Place
Biniam Girmay (NSN) conceded that rival Tim Merlier is the fastest sprinter at the 2026 Tour de France following his second-place finish on Stage 8 into Bergerac. The Eritrean star matched Merlier’s wheel for much of the sprint but could not challenge him in the final moments, saying ‘If I see how I sprinted, it’s crazy’ while acknowledging Merlier’s superior pace. Girmay clashed handlebars with an Uno-X rider during the chaotic finale but recovered to take second. He now trails green jersey leader Mads Pedersen by 25 points in the sprint standings, with his primary goal remaining a stage win.
Sources: Cyclingnews Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Pogačar Thanks GC Rivals for Agreeing to Stay Safe at Back of Peloton on Sprint Stages
Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) has praised the general classification contenders for agreeing to sit at the back of the peloton during sprint finishes to protect their yellow jersey chances. The Slovenian world champion said a mutual understanding has developed among the favourites to stay safe in sprint stages, calling it ‘one of the most enjoyable Tours, except for the heat.’ After Stage 8, Pogačar leads overall with Jonas Vingegaard (Visma) at 2:42, Isaac Del Toro (UAE) third at 3:27 in the white jersey, Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora) fourth at 3:30, and Juan Ayuso (Lidl-Trek) fifth at 3:34.
Sources: Cyclingnews Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Tour de France Director Prudhomme Backs Salary Cap, Says Rich Teams Hoover Up Best Young Riders
Tour de France race director Christian Prudhomme has backed the introduction of a salary cap for professional cycling, saying it is ‘necessary to rebalance’ the spread of talent in the peloton. In an interview with The Athletic, Prudhomme said that ‘the three or four richest teams hoover up all the best young riders,’ citing UAE Team Emirates-XRG — who have dominated this year’s Tour — as an example of spending power concentrating talent. ASO, organisers of the Tour de France, are ‘clearly favourable’ to a cap, Prudhomme said, arguing that the current financial structure gives the sport’s wealthiest teams a decisive advantage when signing the best emerging riders.
Sources: Cyclingnews Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
General Classification — After Stage 8
Yellow Jersey — Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG)
1. Tadej Pogačar ▬ UAE Team Emirates-XRG
2. Jonas Vingegaard +2:42 Visma-Lease a Bike
3. Isaac Del Toro +3:27 UAE Team Emirates-XRG
4. Remco Evenepoel +3:30 Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe
5. Juan Ayuso +3:34 Lidl-Trek
Stage 9 — Today
Malemort → Ussel | 155.5 km (shortened) | 4 Climbs
🎁 Points (Green): Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) 228 pts
⛰ Mountains (Polka Dot): Tadej Pogačar (UAE)
◯ Young Rider (White): Isaac Del Toro (UAE)
🏆 Stage 8: Tim Merlier (Soudal-QuickStep) — sprint win in Bergerac
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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