“It’s incredible, we’re supposed to support him [Evenepoel] but he’s the one helping us,” Merlier remarked.

In a sunlit journey through the Chinon vineyards, Van der Poel, accompanied by a teammate, opened up an early lead, amassing a five-and-a-half minute advantage on the flat route to Châteauroux.

Nearly made it

“It’s hard to not be able to finish it off, but we put on a good show,” the Dutch rider said.

Belgian Tim Wellens, alongside Spanish Marc Soler and Slovenian Tadej Pogacar, all from UAE Team Emirates, were active in stage nine. Source: AAP / Jasper Jacobs / Belga / Sipa USA

As Van der Poel was reeled in, it looked as though Jonathan Milan would win a second consecutive stage, but Merlier got ahead with 30m remaining as Milan finished second, with Arnaud De Lie completing the podium.

“It’s a big loss, he was in good shape. He’s our hero. I was suffering today, so I understand how he must have felt. Every respect to him,” the Slovenian said.