Tour de France 2025 Stage 9 LIVE - Tim Merlier pips Jonathan Milan to the line, as Mathieu van der Poel almost survives an all-day breakaway effort

With 4450m of climbing, I think it might be a bit much for Mathieu van der Poel. It could be a good one for the breakaway, though. I'll be watching from the sofa, you'll have Felix for company. Enjoy!

JONAS RICKAERT: I WAS JUST EMPTY

1. Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step)
2. Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek)
3. Arnaud De Lie (Lotto)
4. Pavel Bittner (Picnic PostNL)
5. Paul Penhoët (Groupama-FDJ)

If ever there was a stage that was about the journey more than the destination it was this one. In the end it came down to the two fastest riders here, as predicted, but there was so much more to the story than that. Jonathan Milan went earlier but Tim Merlier was compact, in control, and got his wheel in front when it mattered most.

There's chaos behind but the job still isn't done. An attack from EF.

The carrot is dangling.

They can see him. It's been a valiant fight but I don't think it's going to happen.

Van der Poel has 23 seconds. A look over his shoulder should encourage him to carry on.

I'm sure he has done plenty of turns, but Rickaert has done far more of the riding. The domestique finally calls it a day and it's now Van der Poel vs the world. He's won plenty of races from much further out, and it's a big ask, but if anyone can do it.

They've just been recovering and are ready to inject everything into the chase, but it's a desperate one, ahead of what will surely be a chaotic sprint. The speed is intense, there's now just 40 seconds between the bunch and the break.

All I can see at the front of the bunch is GC squads. Have Lidl, Uno-X, Intermarche and Quickstep used up all their resources? 50 seconds to close as Rickaert is named most combative rider of the day.

Gianni Meersman provides encouragement from the car - and a bit of sneaky shelter from the side - but even as the time shows 1'22 they've got to be riding on fumes. Tongues are hanging out but even Sean Kelly thinks "this is getting interesting."

Which allows Wout van Aert to weave his way through the cars and possibly get back to the important part of the peloton. Rickaert and Van der Poel are able to add a handful of seconds to their lead, as the clock ticks up to '51. It can only be a momentary lull, though. The lions are about to roar again.

Looks like he won't be sprinting today after all.

GC riders are missing out, but not Pogacar who still looks comfortable, nor Jonas Vingegaard, whose team-mates are doing the damage. It's all one line and every rider is having to work to avoid the chop.

The instruction from the Visma team radio, as Victor Campenaerts moves to the left side of the road in full aero tuck. He's doing everything he can to bring the hurt.

Missing a turn is death in this scenario. Far better to spend a bit of energy and ensure you don't get swamped. Rickaert and Van der Poel still have 1'20, as they head into a really exposed section with the flags showing how blowy it is.