Tour de France 2026: Merlier strikes again, Pogacar keeps yellow

fotobureau Cor VosThe peloton catches lone breakaway rider Liam Slock with 1.3 kilometres remaining. The sprinters then take centre stage, with Tim Merlier producing a powerful sprint to claim his second straight victory. He finishes ahead of Biniam Girmay and Olav Kooij, while Tadej Pogacar retains the yellow jersey. (Slideshow route/profile)

Stage 8 Results – 2026 Tour de France

1. Tim Merlier (bel) 3:52:50
2. Biniam Girmay (eri) s.t.
3. Olav Kooij (nld) s.t.
4. Jasper Philipsen (bel) s.t.
5. Pavel Bittner (cze) s.t.
6. Rick Pluimers (nld) s.t.
7. Pascal Ackermann (ger) s.t.
8. Clément Russo (fra) s.t.
9. Max Kanter (ger) s.t.
10. Milan Fretin (bel) s.t.

GC after stage 8

1. Tadej Pogacar (slo)
2. Jonas Vingegaard (den) + 2:42
3. Isaac del Toro (Mex) + 3:27
4. Remco Evenepoel (bel) + 3:30
5. Juan Ayuso (spa) + 3:34
6. Paul Seixas (fra) + 3:55
7. Florian Lipowitz (ger) + 4:00
8. Lenny Martinez (fra) + 4:21
9. Mattias Skjelmose (den) + 4:57
10. Egan Bernal (col) + 9:12

Race report
Liam Slock, Thibault Guernalec and Jakub Otruba make up the breakaway. The trio open up a 2-minute lead, which is all they get.

The breakaway splits on the Côte du Buisson-de-Cadouin, with Slock pressing on alone. As the race enters the final 10 kilometres, he still holds a lead of more than 1 minute over the peloton, and 4 kilometres later, that advantage has been cut in half, before his dream comes to an end with 1.3 kilometres remaining.

Tim Merlier produces a stunning comeback from what looked like a lost position to storm to his second consecutive sprint victory. Biniam Girmay and Olav Kooij finish second and third, while Tadej Pogacar comfortably retains the yellow jersey.

Another interesting read: route 8th stage 2026 Tour de France.