The Soudal-Quick Step rider successfully avoided a major crash just 400 meters from the line—which involved Colombia's Fernando Gaviria and several other cyclists—before powering past Dutchman Olav Kooij and compatriot Jasper Philipsen to secure the victory.

The win marked Merlier's sixth career Tour de France stage triumph, adding to his earlier successes in Bordeaux and Bergerac. The 33-year-old noted that the finish perfectly suited his sprinting style after he managed to stay calm during the hectic final kilometers.

Meanwhile, Slovenian Tadej Pogačar safely retained the yellow jersey, maintaining his overall lead of more than three and a half minutes over two-time Tour champion Jonas Vingegaard.

The battle for the green jersey has also tightened; Mads Pedersen continues to lead the points classification with 357 points, while Biniam Girmay, Jasper Philipsen, and Tim Merlier remain within striking distance with more sprint stages on the horizon.