Belgian Tim Merlier withdrew from the Tour de France yesterday (Sunday) after succumbing to fatigue in the mountain stages, despite having confirmed his status as one of the top sprinters in the race by winning three stages. His team Soudal-Quick Step said in a post on platform X: 'After two tough weeks of racing, Tim Merlier left the Tour de France today; the Belgian rider gave us unforgettable memories with three superb stage wins and showed a true fighting spirit every day.'

Davide Bramati, sports director of the Soudal Quick-Step team, told the Belgian sports website Sporza that Merlier (33) had a tough day and was exhausted.

Bramati added: 'It's unfortunate he had to withdraw but he was not having a good day; he exhausted his energy and could not finish the race. Maybe there was still hope on Wednesday, but he simply had a bad day. He gave his all. That's how it goes.'

News of Merlier's withdrawal added more drama to this day (yesterday), after Jonas Vingegaard, two-time Tour de France champion and closest rival of race leader Tadej Pogačar, was forced to withdraw due to a broken collarbone sustained in a crash 20 kilometers from the finish line.

The stage result was decided when Belgian Remco Evenepoel beat Pogačar, moving up to second place overall, five minutes behind the Slovenian rider.