Animal cell cycle-en — Kelvinsong, Wikimedia Commons, CC0
STAGE RESULTGRAND TOUR
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).
GRAND TOURANALYSIS
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.
GRAND TOURANALYSIS
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.
ANALYSISGRAND TOUR
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.
GRAND TOURSTANDINGS
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.
STANDINGSGRAND TOUR
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.
WORLD TOURANALYSIS
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.
Wisconsin Badgers men's ice hockey NHL alumni jerseys in the lower concourse of the Kohl Center IMG 8420 — SecretName101, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
ANALYSIS
Makar and Hughes Contracts Expected to Reset NHL Defenseman Market to $15–$20M
Quinn Hughes and Cale Makar are each entering the final year of their contracts — Hughes at $7.85 million with Minnesota after a December trade, Makar at $9 million with Colorado — and agents expect their next deals to dramatically reset the pay scale for defensemen. Four agents told ESPN the going price will likely fall between $15 and $20 million annually. The 2026-27 salary cap rises to $104 million, creating room for the leap. Chicago’s six-year, $12.5 million AAV deal for Bowen Byram this offseason already moved the market. Agents expect a broad trickle-down, pushing contracts higher at every level of the defensive spectrum.
TRADE
Larkin Adds Dallas Stars as Fourth Trade Destination With No Deal Imminent
Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin has added the Dallas Stars as a fourth potential trade destination, TSN reported. The Minnesota Wild, Florida Panthers, and Vegas Golden Knights had been his previously identified preferred teams. In discussions with Dallas, Detroit has focused on forward Wyatt Johnston as a key return piece, though talks have not produced an agreement. Florida has since stepped back after acquiring Matthew Tkachuk in a trade, and Vegas remains limited by the salary cap. Larkin is without a new contract and no deal appears imminent as the NHL offseason continues.
TRANSACTIONS
Ducks Cap Crunch After Carlsson Match: Vatrano, Killorn, Kreider Named Trade Candidates
After matching the Philadelphia Flyers’ $18 million offer sheet on Leo Carlsson, the Anaheim Ducks are left with roughly $9 million in cap space. The Hockey News identifies three likely trade candidates to create financial room: Ryan Vatrano (32, $4.57 million, two years remaining, just 5 goals in 50 games, with $9 million in deferred salary complicating any deal), Alex Killorn (36, $6.25 million, final contract year, 33 points last season), and Chris Kreider (35, $6.5 million, 22 goals). Pending restricted free agent Troy Gauthier, who is not offer-sheet eligible, adds further urgency to Anaheim’s cap situation.
NHL
Islanders Launch NHL’s First-Ever Fan-Driven Jersey Design Contest for 2027-28
The New York Islanders have launched the NHL’s first-ever fan-driven jersey design contest, giving supporters the chance to create the club’s official 2027-28 third jersey. Fans can submit designs through July 24 using a digital tool that features official Islanders fonts and logos. Five finalists will be selected from all submissions and put to a public vote in early August. The winning design will debut as the team’s official third jersey for the 2027-28 season, with the creator receiving a signed jersey and tickets to its debut game. More than 37,000 submissions have already been received since the contest launched.
2014 Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix (13712612095) — Habeed Hameed, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
CHAMPIONSHIP
Hamilton Tells Ferrari What It Must Do to Take Down Mercedes
Lewis Hamilton has outlined what Ferrari must do to close the 78-point gap to Mercedes in the Formula 1 Constructors’ Championship. Speaking after Ferrari’s surprise 1–3 finish at the British Grand Prix, Hamilton — who sits third in the Drivers’ standings on 147 points, 32 behind leader Kimi Antonelli — said the team must extract the maximum from every race weekend. Mercedes leads despite Antonelli enduring reliability setbacks, including an electrical failure in Barcelona and a wheel shield problem at Silverstone. “We just have to extract everything we can from each weekend, and even, if possible, a little bit more than maybe what performance-wise is possible,” Hamilton said.
DRIVER MARKET
Red Bull Keeping Close Tabs on Bearman Amid Verstappen Replacement Speculation
Red Bull are monitoring Haas driver Ollie Bearman as a potential replacement for Max Verstappen, according to Sky Sports commentator David Croft. Martin Brundle said Bearman’s path to a Ferrari seat — where he was part of the academy under Laurent Mekies, now Red Bull’s team principal — appears cut off following Charles Leclerc’s contract renewal and Lewis Hamilton’s resurgence at the Scuderia. Jenson Button advised Bearman to focus on the present. “I know Red Bull are keeping very close tabs on Ollie Bearman. If he hasn’t got a way into the Scuderia, that might be a very good option for Red Bull and for Ollie,” Croft said.
CHAMPIONSHIP
Overwhelming 97.6 Per Cent of Fans Back Ferrari Decision to Keep Hamilton for 2027
An overwhelming 97.6 per cent of RacingNews365 readers support Ferrari’s decision to retain Lewis Hamilton for the 2027 Formula 1 season. Hamilton endured a difficult 2025 campaign before bouncing back in 2026, winning the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona and recording five podiums from the first nine rounds. Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur confirmed Hamilton’s 2027 contract with a simple “yes” when asked. Hamilton currently sits third in the Drivers’ Championship on 147 points, behind Mercedes pair Kimi Antonelli and George Russell. “I wouldn’t be in this team without Fred,” Hamilton said.
GRID NEWS
Alonso Demands Aston Martin Progress Beyond Hungary Upgrade
Fernando Alonso has demanded continued progress from Aston Martin after the British Grand Prix, where the team were the only constructor to race without aerodynamic upgrades at Silverstone. Aston Martin sit at the foot of the Constructors’ Championship with one point, having also faced a one-second qualifying gap to the frontrunners at Silverstone. Alonso said the team is targeting a significant aero package for Hungary but called it only a first step. “We will get better. We will win races. Not this year, so this is only the first step in the plan; it cannot be the last one,” the two-time world champion said.
TECHNICAL
McLaren Explains Why Improved Mercedes Power Unit Has Been Delayed
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has explained why the Woking squad has not yet received the upgraded Mercedes HPP reliability unit. Stella said Alpine and Williams were given priority because they needed the improved power unit more urgently. McLaren has also faced its own reliability difficulties this season, suffering battery failures and a double non-start in China. Stella indicated the upgraded unit is expected to arrive at the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps. “As a customer team, you remain a bit on the back foot,” Stella said, describing McLaren’s position as a Mercedes engine customer.
REGULATION
Former F1 Boss Calls for Red Flag Rule Change After British GP Confusion
A former Formula 1 team boss has called for a rule change giving officials the option to wave a red flag when a safety car period causes confusion near the end of a race. At the British Grand Prix, Max Verstappen crashed on the penultimate lap, triggering the safety car. An unlapping procedure meant a standing restart was impossible, and a timing screen glitch compounded the spectator confusion at Silverstone. Otmar Szafnauer said officials should have intervened differently. “No, red flag it for the fans,” Szafnauer said, advocating a cleaner procedure for future incidents.
GRID NEWS
Bottas Says Cadillac Still in No Man’s Land Despite Silverstone Upgrades
Valtteri Bottas has assessed Cadillac’s performance at Silverstone, saying the team remain in a “no man’s land” despite bringing upgrades to the British Grand Prix. On the positive side, both Cadillac cars finished the race, with team-mate Sergio Perez equalling his best result of the season. However, Bottas acknowledged the upgrades did not produce a step-change in competitiveness, with further parts expected for the Belgian Grand Prix. “Lots of good information, but it’s still pretty clear that we’re in a little bit of a no man’s land over there,” Bottas said.
DRIVER MARKET
F1 Champion Norris Eyes Le Mans Partnership with MotoGP Icon Rossi
Formula 1 champion Lando Norris has expressed a desire to race alongside MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi at Le Mans, describing the prospect as “an honour.” The pair met at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, where Norris — whose team McLaren is entering the Le Mans 24 Hours as a manufacturer in 2027 — said a shared drive could happen in a couple of years. Rossi responded by saying he would try to wait for the Briton. “Maybe in a couple of years, I would love to. It would be an honour for me and it would be a lot of fun, for sure,” Norris said.
Drivers' Championship
- 1. Kimi Antonelli — 179 pts
- 2. George Russell — 154 pts
- 3. Lewis Hamilton — 147 pts
- 4. Charles Leclerc — 108 pts
- 5. Lando Norris — 97 pts
- 6. Oscar Piastri — 82 pts
Constructors' Championship
- 1. Mercedes — 333 pts
- 2. Ferrari — 255 pts
- 3. McLaren — 179 pts
- 4. Red Bull — 128 pts
- 5. Alpine — 60 pts
- 6. Racing Bulls — 59 pts