Merlier sprints to stage seven victory as Pogacar retains Tour de France lead

BORDEAUX, France, July 10 : Belgian Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step) triumphed in a crowded sprint to win stage seven of the Tour de France on Friday, beating Soren Waerenskjold to the finish line with a breakneck final charge in Bordeaux.

Four-time champion Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) retained his overall lead in the quest for his third straight title.

(Reporting Vincent Daheron; Writing by Chiranjit Ojha in Bengaluru; Editing by Toby Chopra)