Tim Merlier wins stage seven of the Tour de France in a sprint finish in Bordeaux, while race favourite Tadej Pogačar keeps the overall lead in the yellow jersey. Multiple outlets describe the stage as ending in a bunch sprint along the Garonne, with Merlier of Soudal–QuickStep timing his run after being positioned several places back entering the final stretch. He moves past fellow sprinters, including Jasper Philipsen, to take his fourth Tour stage win. One report notes that Merlier’s team places him into position to attack, and that he charges at the right moment to clinch victory despite a “scrappy” finish. Pogačar finishes safely in the main pack rather than contesting the sprint, with his closest overall rival, Jonas Vingegaard, also reported to be in that lead group. Soren Waerenskjold is listed as second in one account, with Eritrean Biniam Girmay third. With the stage concluded, Pogačar retains the yellow jersey and continues to lead the general classification heading into the next stages.