Tim Merlier, frustrated 24 hours earlier after a puncture on the run‑in to Laval, won stage nine of the Tour de France in Cavendish City, as Chateauroux was renamed for the day in recognition of Sir Mark’s triptych of stage wins in 2008, 2011 and 2021.
Another sweltering stage – also the second fastest in the history of the Tour – drew out a two-man breakaway, with Mathieu van der Poel and his Alpecin-Deceuninck teammate Jonas Rickaert joining forces immediately after the start only for Van der Poel to eventually be caught in the final kilometre.
