Tim Merlier powered past Jonathan Milan to win stage nine of the Tour de France on Sunday, denying the green jersey holder back-to-back wins after Mathieu van der Poel's audacious solo attack ended in heartbreak just 700 metres from the finish.

Jonathan Milan won stage eight of the Tour de France in a mass bunch sprint on Saturday ahead of Wout van Aert and Kaden Groves.

Milan, of Italy, overtakes Australia’s Kaden Groves to earn his first stage win at the Tour de France. Defending champion Tadej Pogačar keeps the yellow jersey after finishing in the main pack.