Some victories are worth more than just a single Tour de France stage: the one conquered by Tim Merlier at the Bordeaux finish line belongs to this category. The Soudal-Quick Step sprinter delivered a masterful sprint, decisively beating Biniam Girmay, Søren Wærenskjold and the other main contenders, while Jasper Philipsen, one of the great pre-race favorites, had to settle for fifth place.

But the Belgian champion's success was not merely a demonstration of power and speed. Behind that smile, just minutes after the finish line, there was an emotion difficult to contain.

With the Bordeaux victory, Merlier has finally erased the zero from his stage wins tally in this edition of the Grande Boucle. And he did so by confirming a statistic that tells of his extraordinary affinity with the French race.

«I feel very good. This is only my third Tour de France and I've managed to win a stage in every participation. It's something that makes me truly proud».

Numbers that certify the growth of one of the most complete sprinters on the world stage. The sprint was contested in chaos and the final kilometers were anything but orderly.

With constant position changes, wheels touching and extremely high speeds, finding the right moment to launch the sprint was far from simple. «I don't know if I timed it perfectly. When I went, I didn't even know how far the finish line was».

The finale, according to Merlier, was a real battle. «It was absolute chaos. It was extremely difficult to find the right position».

The victory also bears the signature of Soudal-Quick Step, which worked all day alongside Alpecin-Deceuninck to neutralize the breakaway. An effort that Merlier wanted to highlight. «Thanks to the team we managed to bring home this victory. We did extraordinary work.» And then a consideration that perfectly captures the stage's progression. «After all the work we did two days ago and today as well, together with Alpecin we were practically the only ones really pulling to catch the breakaway. I'm happy that in the end no other team won».

To find the right space in the final meters, Merlier also had to rely on instinct. For a long stretch he remained on the wheel of Jasper Stuyven, before losing his reference point.

«I managed to follow him for quite a while, then I lost his wheel». From that moment a continuous struggle began. «It felt like being in a mess. I was being pushed from all sides».

The Belgian, however, managed to stay calm. «Fortunately I managed to find a small space to breathe and recover a bit. Then, in the final six hundred meters, the battle started again».

With only one thought in mind. «I told myself I had to keep fighting until the end. I'm happy I managed to do it». The most intense moment came during the interview after the finish line.

When asked why this victory was so special, Merlier couldn't hold back his emotion. «The man who accompanied me and my brother to races since I was twelve years old is dying». For a moment the joy of victory gave way to feelings. «This victory is for him. I hope he saw it».

Measured words, but capable of telling how cycling is also made of people who work away from the spotlight, accompanying and supporting young riders in their journey.

If Merlier is celebrating, in Bordeaux there is also someone leaving with many regrets. Jasper Philipsen, listed among the great pre-race favorites, never managed to find the right opening and finished only in fifth place, at the end of a sprint in which he appeared less brilliant compared to his standards. For the Alpecin-Deceuninck Belgian there will certainly be other opportunities, but this represented one of the best chances to break through. In Bordeaux, however, the protagonist had a different name. Tim Merlier conquered one of the most emotional victories of his career. He did it with the strength of his legs, with the support of a perfect team and with a fixed thought in his heart, for that man who helped him become a cyclist.