Tim Merlier won the ninth stage of the 2025 Tour de France in Chateauroux after Mathieu van der Poel's solo effort was successfully chased down in the final kilometer.
The result leaves no changes in the overall standings. Tadej Pogacar remains in the lead with a 54-second lead over second-place Remco Evenepoel, while French youngster Kevin Vauquelin is in third, according to the official Tour de France website.
This victory marked the second for Soudal Quick-Step sprinter Merlier, following his first-place finish in the third stage in Dunkirk. This was Merlier's 12th stage win of the 2025 season.
On a sunny and grueling stage from Chinon to Chateauroux, Van der Poel and a teammate broke away from the pack early on and held a lead of up to 5 minutes 30 seconds on the flat route.
Jonas Rickaert was awarded the most aggressive rider award after accompanying Van der Poel until the final 10 km before finally giving up due to exhaustion.
With his reckless and determined racing style, Van der Poel once again made his name famous in the Tour de France even though he was caught up with 700 meters from the finish.
With Van der Poel finally caught up, Jonathan Milan looked set to repeat the stage victory, but Merlier overtook him 50 meters from the finish. Milan had to settle for second place, while Arnaud De Lie took third place.
