Samwise Cycle Racing Newsletter
Saturday, July 11, 2026
Merlier Powers to Stage 7 Victory in Bordeaux Sprint
Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step) powered to victory on Stage 7 of the Tour de France, ousting the sprinters’ field on the run into Bordeaux. The Belgian punched clear with 150 metres to go into a headwind, catching Søren Wærenskjold (Uno-X Mobility) off guard to take the stage win on the 175-kilometre ride from Hagetmau. Merlier’s finish reinforced his hold on the green jersey, maintaining his position at the top of the points classification. The result closed out the Tour’s first week with the GC contenders largely spared after the dramatic Pyrenean fireworks of Stage 6.
Sources: Cyclingnews Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Pogačar Opens 2:42 Gap Over Vingegaard, Leads Tour After Stage 7
Tadej Pogačar extended his commanding lead at the Tour de France following Stage 7, sitting atop the general classification with a 2:42 advantage over Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike). The Slovenian, riding for UAE Team Emirates-XRG, seized yellow with a dominant long-range attack on the Col du Tourmalet on Stage 6 and has not looked back. Isaac Del Toro (UAE) sits third at 3:27, with Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) fourth at 3:30 and Juan Ayuso (Lidl-Trek) fifth at 3:34. Pogačar also leads the mountains classification, while Del Toro holds the white jersey for best young rider.
Sources: Cyclingnews Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Træen Exits Tour with Concussion and Rib Fractures After Stage 6 Crash
Norwegian breakaway rider Torstein Træen (Uno-X Mobility) has been forced out of the Tour de France after a heavy crash on the descent of the Col du Tourmalet during Stage 6. Træen had worn the yellow jersey for two stages after taking the lead in a Stage 4 breakaway, a landmark moment for his team. Despite passing roadside concussion screening and completing the stage, post-race X-rays revealed a concussion and multiple rib fractures. “This is really not the ending we wanted for this yellow adventure,” said team manager Thor Hushovd. Træen is only the third Norwegian ever to wear yellow at the Tour.
Sources: Cyclingnews Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Riley Claims First World Cup Win, Rissveds Triumphs in Andorra XCC Double
American Bjorn Riley (Scott-SRAM MTB) claimed his first UCI Mountain Bike World Cup win in the cross-country short circuit at Pal Arinsal, Andorra on Friday. The 24-year-old from Boulder, Colorado — US national XCC champion — sealed the result in a two-man sprint against Adrien Boichis following a risky tactical gamble. “I’m not used to having to sprint for the win, so that was scary,” said Riley. In the women’s XCC, Swedish veteran Jenny Rissveds (Canyon XC Racing) won from a lead group of five, with Laura Stigger second and Ronja Blöchlinger third.
Sources: Cyclingnews Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Evenepoel and Lipowitz Clear the Air After Tour de France GC Friction
The simmering tension between Remco Evenepoel and Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) cooled on Friday after the Belgian vented publicly following Stage 6. Evenepoel had told Belgian broadcaster Sporza he did not receive the leadout assistance from Lipowitz he had requested during the stage, sparking a public airing of co-leadership friction at the squad. By the next day, however, both riders indicated the matter was settled: “Everything is said. The Tour is not waiting,” Evenepoel confirmed. Evenepoel sits fourth overall at 3:30, with Lipowitz seventh at 4:00, keeping team dynamics under a microscope.
Sources: Cyclingnews Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Philipsen Admits Sprint Form Not Where It Should Be After Stage 7 Disappointment
Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Premier Tech) has looked well short of his best at this year’s Tour de France, and Stage 7 in Bordeaux confirmed the concern. Despite his team rolling out a dedicated old-fashioned lead-out train, the Belgian was unable to contest the sprint victory that went to Tim Merlier. “That’s just not how it should be and not how my legs should be,” said Philipsen. The Alpecin-Premier Tech sprinter entered the Tour as one of the presumed threats in the points competition, making his current sprint deficit a significant worry for the team.
Sources: Cyclingnews Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Traka 300 to Be Sole Pro Event in 2027, Ultra-Distance Format Dropped
Girona’s annual gravel showcase is undergoing a significant restructure for 2027. Organisers Klassmark have confirmed The Traka 300 will be the sole race for pro categories, consolidating a professional field that was split between multiple distances in recent editions. The ultra-endurance Traka 560 will also not be held. Three distances will be available to all riders: 100km, 200km, and 300km, with the pro field in the 300 capped at 200 participants to build “a more selective, competitive and safe field.” Priority access registration opens July 14 for eligible participants, with general sign-ups for the 300 opening July 16.
Sources: Cyclingnews Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Tour de France — General Classification
GC Top 5 — After Stage 7
1. Tadej Pogačar (Slo) UAE — 24:56:17
2. Jonas Vingegaard (Den) Visma — +2:42
3. Isaac Del Toro (Mex) UAE — +3:27
4. Remco Evenepoel (Bel) Red Bull — +3:30
5. Juan Ayuso (Spa) Lidl-Trek — +3:34
Classifications
Jersey Leaders
Yellow (GC): Tadej Pogačar (UAE)
Green (Points): Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step)
Polka Dot (KOM): Tadej Pogačar (UAE)
White (Young Rider): Isaac Del Toro (UAE)
Stage 7 winner: Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step)
Curated by JD · samwise.agency