Tim Merlier doubles up to win stage eight of Tour de France in sprint finish

In similar scenes to Friday’s stage into Bordeaux, Jasper Philipsen got a big leadout from Alpecin-Premier Tech team-mate Mathieu van der Poel but could not convert it into victory as Soudal-QuickStep’s Merlier came from way back to power his way to the line

Belgium's Tim Merlier celebrates on the podium. Thibault Camus/AP

Tim Merlier doubled up to win stage eight of the Tour de France in a sprint finish and break the heart of lone escapee Liam Slock in Bergerac.

Slock, who had gone clear with 40 kilometres of the 180km stage from Perigueux remaining, was caught just before the flamme rouge before another big show of strength from Merlier delivered a second stage win in as many days, while Tadej Pogacar stayed safe in the yellow jersey.