Belgian sprinter Tim Merlier secured his third stage victory at the 2023 Tour de France on Thursday, claiming the win in a chaotic sprint finish marked by multiple crashes.
Riding for Soudal-Quick Step, Merlier edged out Dutchman Olav Kooij and teammate Jasper Philipsen, marking his third stage win of the 2023 Tour and sixth overall.
The sprint was marred by chaos when Colombian Fernando Gaviria crashed, taking down several riders, including stage 11 winner Soren Waerenskjold.
While Alpecin Premier Tech attempted to position Philipsen for the win, Merlier executed a masterful move through the chaos, as he had done twice before in this 113th Tour de France edition, to cross the line first.
Kooij, the stage five winner, finished second for the second consecutive day.
Reigning champion Tadej Pogacar safely navigated the final kilometers of the 179km stage, which ran from the Magny-Cours motor racing circuit in Nevers to Chalon-sur-Saone.
Pogacar retained his overall lead, extending it to over three and a half minutes ahead of two-time former champion Jonas Vingegaard.
Breakaway specialist Baptiste Veistroffer launched a solo attack approximately 25 kilometers into the stage, his third such move and the second time achieving complete isolation.
Three riders joined Veistroffer’s break after 57 kilometers, but all three were eventually dropped before the final 50 kilometers.
Multiple counter-attacks in the final 35 kilometers formed a 14-rider group ahead of the fragmented peloton, but this group was reeled in with 24 kilometers remaining.
The reabsorption of the break served as a signal for numerous riders to attempt moves in the final sprint, though no group managed to sustain their efforts.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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