Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step) has won the seventh stage of the Tour de France in Bordeaux, celebrating his fourth overall stage victory at the world’s most important cycling race. The Belgian prevailed clearly in the high-speed finale, leaving Sören Wärenskjold (Uno-X Mobility) and Biniam Girmay (NSN Cycling) behind him.
Max Kanter, who had recently shown good form, crossed the line in fourth place – not enough to end the five-year drought for German cycling professionals at the Tour. Phil Bauhaus finished sixth, Pascal Ackermann placed twelfth. Fans have been waiting for a German sprint victory at the Tour since 2017, when Marcel Kittel triumphed in Pau.
Tadej Pogacar, meanwhile, effortlessly defended his yellow jersey. A day after his show of dominance on the Tourmalet stage, the Slovenian rolled comfortably to the finish with the peloton.
The 175.1 km stage from Hagetmau to Bordeaux, which was hosting the Tour’s stage finish for the 77th time, initially passed quietly. Only 55 km from the finish did the intermediate sprint provide some excitement. Kanter collected twelve points as third in the peloton. The two breakaway riders Baptiste Veistroffer and Jakub Otruba were caught 18 km from the finish.
Florian Lipowitz, third overall in the 2025 Tour, crossed the finish line without problems despite a puncture. Before the start, he had commented on the team tensions at Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe: “We spoke to each other on the bus yesterday. I think everything has been resolved. The mood is good. I wouldn’t place too much weight on it,” he told ARD.
Teammate Remco Evenepoel had criticised Lipowitz after the Pyrenees stage for not providing him with sprint support. On Friday, Evenepoel also sounded considerably more conciliatory. The shared leadership role between the two top riders remains in place.
On Saturday, sprinters face their next opportunity: the eighth stage from Périgueux to Bergerac is equally well-suited for a bunch sprint finish.
