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Tour De France 2025: Tim Merlier Sprints To Victory In Stage 9

Belgian sprinter Tim Merlier won the ninth stage of the Tour de France in a mass sprint after Mathieu van der Poel spent the whole day at the front before being caught by the chasing pack less than a kilometer from the finish. There was no significant change in the overall standings and three-time Tour champion Tadej Pogačar kept the race leader’s yellow jersey. Sunday’s stage headed into central France on a 174-kilometer (108-mile) flat stretch for sprinters.

2025 Tour de France cycling race stage 9 photo_Tadej Pogacar, overall leader's yellow jersey
Tour de France cycling race: Stage 9 | Photo: AP/Mosa'ab Elshamy

Slovenia's Tadej Pogacar, wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey, celebrates on the podium after the ninth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 174.1 kilometers (108 miles) with start in Chinon and finish in Chateauroux, France.

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2025 Tour de France cycling race stage 9 photo_Stage winner Belgiums Tim Merlier
Tour de France cycling race: Stage 9 | Photo: AP/Thibault Camus

Stage winner Belgium's Tim Merlier celebrates on the podium after the ninth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 174.1 kilometers (108 miles) with start in Chinon and finish in Chateauroux, France.

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2025 Tour de France cycling race stage 9 photo_most combative rider Belgiums Jonas Rickaert
Tour de France cycling race: Stage 9 | Photo: AP/Mosa'ab Elshamy

Belgium's Jonas Rickaert was awarded the most combative rider of the ninth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 174.1 kilometers (108 miles) with start in Chinon and finish in Chateauroux, France.

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2025 Tour de France cycling race stage 9 photo_Belgiums Tim Wellens, best climbers dotted jersey
Tour de France cycling race: Stage 9 | Photo: AP/Thibault Camus

Belgium's Tim Wellens, wearing the best climber's dotted jersey, celebrates on the podium after the ninth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 174.1 kilometers (108 miles) with start in Chinon and finish in Chateauroux, France.

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2025 Tour de France cycling race stage 9 photo_
Tour de France cycling race: Stage 9 | Photo: AP/Thibault Camus

Stage winner Belgium's Tim Merlier celebrates as he crosses the finish line ahead of second place Italy's Jonathan Milan, left, and third place Belgium's Arnaud de Lie, beating his bicycle with his fist, right, during the ninth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 174.1 kilometers (108 miles) with start in Chinon and finish in Chateauroux, France.

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2025 Tour de France cycling race stage 9 photo_Stage winner Belgiums Tim Merlier
Tour de France cycling race: Stage 9 | Photo: AP/Thibault Camus

Stage winner Belgium's Tim Merlier, left in white, crosses the finish line ahead of second place Italy's Jonathan Milan, wearing the best sprinter's green jersey, left, and third place Belgium's Arnaud de Lie, right, during the ninth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 174.1 kilometers (108 miles) with start in Chinon and finish in Chateauroux, France.

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2025 Tour de France cycling race stage 9 photo_Germanys Georg Zimmermann
Tour de France cycling race: Stage 9 | Photo: AP/Mosa'ab Elshamy

Germany's Georg Zimmermann was distanced by the pack after crashing during the ninth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 174.1 kilometers (108 miles) with start in Chinon and finish in Chateauroux, France.

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2025 Tour de France cycling race stage 9 photo_Belgiums Jonas Rickaert
Tour de France cycling race: Stage 9 | Photo: AP/Mosa'ab Elshamy

Belgium's Jonas Rickaert, front, and teammate Netherlands' Mathieu van der Poel ride breakaway during the ninth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 174.1 kilometers (108 miles) with start in Chinon and finish in Chateauroux, France.

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2025 Tour de France cycling race stage 9 photo_1
Tour de France cycling race: Stage 9 | Photo: AP/Mosa'ab Elshamy

The pack rides during the ninth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 174.1 kilometers (108 miles) with start in Chinon and finish in Chateauroux, France.

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2025 Tour de France cycling race stage 9 photo_2
Tour de France cycling race: Stage 9 | Photo: AP/Mosa'ab Elshamy

The pack rides during the ninth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 174.1 kilometers (108 miles) with start in Chinon and finish in Chateauroux, France.

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