The 2025 Tour de France continued to amaze people today with Stage Nine, which went from Chinon to Châteauroux.
Another breakaway excited fans and lasted almost as far as the finish. Another 700 meters, and the efforts of Matthieu van der Poel would have seen him take the stage, although not the yellow jersey.
Even holding on for the win would only have gained him a few seconds on his Slovenian rival Tadej Pogacar, while he trails in the GC by 1:29 minutes.
Sprinter Tim Merlier burst from the pack just after van der Poel merged back into it, a last-second changing of the guard in this nail-biting finale. It was Merlier’s second win of the 2025 Tour de France.
The town has hosted exciting sprint finishes of Le Tour before. The last three, in 2008, 2011, and 2021, were won by Mark Cavendish, a rider from the Isle of Man.
To that end, the residents of Châteauroux erected a sign visible to those entering its confines, which read, simply, ‘Cavendish City.’
Cavendish, or Cav, as he is known, has won more Tour de France stages than any other rider in history. He has an impressive haul of 35. His last time crossing the line ahead of his rivals was July 3, 2024, when riding for Pro Team Astana. It took a few seasons to finally claim the record for himself, having shared it with Eddy Merckx for a spell.
In the words of Cavendish’s Manx countrymen, at least, those who can speak the reviving Manx language; Feer vie – very good.
Now retired, Cavendish is not here to extend his tally. The likes of Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard will do their best to get as close to it as possible.
For a long time today, it seemed that they wouldn’t get near the stage win. The breakaway, which included the previous holder of the maillot jaune, Matthieu van der Poel, came close to prevailing. This resilient rider has already shown his tenacity this month, and simply doesn’t want to let that coveted leader’s jersey get out of his reach.
The attack, also featuring van der Poel’s stalwart teammate, Jonas Rickaert, built such a healthy lead that tour reports started to talk the former up as race leader once again. Virtual Yellow Jersey, was the tag given him on live race updates. Premature, perhaps, given the nature of the route and the fact that the main contenders would not want to see the lead lost again.
The peloton chased the breakaway riders down, making up over two minutes on them thanks to the Visma-Lease a Bike team, working to keep Jonas Vingegaard in contention.
Thanks to their bravery, the main attack was stretched to its limit and, unusually for a flat stage with less at stake, many talented riders were dropped. Among them, Wout van Aert, the sprinter. He clawed his way back, but not without burning useful energy ahead of an impending sprint finish he would have been capable of winning. In the end, he finished 17 seconds behind Tim Merlier.
With the gap increasing slightly, Tadej Pogačar, fearing the loss of his leader’s jersey and perhaps feeling that he wouldn’t rely on his team, decided to step it up. Other riders then took the challenge with the main group working together to pull van der Poel back in.
Just heading towards the finish line, van der Poel was caught, and another sprint finish marked the end of the first chapter of the 2025 Tour de France.
Next stop, the mountains of the Massif Central.
News that also saddened people was the announcement that João Almeida had abandoned, still suffering the effects of his crash two days ago. His withdrawal will also be a loss to his team leader, Tadej Pogačar. All top riders are supported by top teams; this event can’t be won by any lone rider.
Almeida was an integral part of UAE Team Emirates XRG. His absence is unlikely to have a significant effect, but in a race like the Tour de France, any impact could make the difference between first and second.
Today’s stage marked the final ride before the peloton heads for the hills.
Not just hills, though. We are talking mammoth climbs that even accomplished cyclists would struggle to conquer. All that at high speed, with terrifying descents made under a yard from a rival cyclist’s wheels.
Not one for the weak, and that’s just for those of us watching.
Imagine how the participants feel.
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