Stage 8 of the 2026 Tour de France takes the riders from Périgueux to Bergerac over 180.4 kilometres. The profile contains a couple of Category 4 climbs, but on paper this is another stage that should suit the sprinters, with the fast men expected to battle it out once again.
Stage 7 Review
A two-man breakaway was allowed clear but was always kept firmly under control by the peloton.
In the end, as expected, it came down to a bunch sprint, and Tim Merlier duly delivered our Stage 7 selection with a convincing victory.
Søren Wærenskjold of Uno-X Mobility produced an impressive sprint to finish second, while Biniam Girmay continued his consistent Tour with third place, picking up valuable Green Jersey points.
In-form Max Kanter crossed the line fourth, while Jasper Philipsen was perhaps a little disappointing in fifth after finding himself at the front of the sprint earlier than ideal.
Classification Update
There were no changes to the general classification at the front of the race.
Tadej Pogačar continues to lead by 2 minutes 42 seconds from Jonas Vingegaard, with Isaac del Toro third at 3 minutes 27 seconds and Remco Evenepoel fourth at 3 minutes 30 seconds.
The outright betting now reads:
- Tadej Pogačar – 1.07
- Jonas Vingegaard – 9.00
- Isaac del Toro – 29.00
- Paul Seixas – 67.00
- Remco Evenepoel – 67.00
- Florian Lipowitz – 101.00
- Juan Ayuso – 150.00
The Green Jersey battle continues to intensify.
Mads Pedersen remains comfortably in front with 204 points, after taking the intermediate spring, ahead of Biniam Girmay (145), Max Kanter (140) and Tim Merlier (134).
The latest Green Jersey betting is:
- Mads Pedersen – 1.67
- Jasper Philipsen – 6.00
- Biniam Girmay – 7.00
- Olav Kooij – 8.00
- Max Kanter – 12.00
- Tadej Pogačar – 17.00
The King of the Mountains and Team Classification remain unchanged from Stage 7.
Stage 8 Profile
Stage 8 covers 180.4 kilometres and, despite two classified climbs in the second half of the stage, should provide another excellent opportunity for the sprinters.
The opening 100 kilometres are gently rolling without presenting any real difficulties.
The intermediate sprint comes after 129.2 kilometres, before the riders tackle the Category 4 Côte de Domme, measuring 3.7 kilometres at 3.3%.
Later comes the final obstacle of the day, the Category 4 Côte du Buisson-de-Cadouin, a climb of 2.2 kilometres at 5.6%, cresting around 40 kilometres from the finish.
From there the route gradually flattens out all the way to Bergerac, where the sprint teams should once again be able to organise themselves for a fast finish.
What to Expect?
This looks similar to Stage 7.
A small breakaway should be allowed some freedom, but with relatively little climbing and a long, straightforward run to the finish, it is difficult to imagine the escape surviving.
The Green Jersey battle remains a major subplot, and Lidl-Trek will once again be keen to control proceedings for Mads Pedersen for the intermediate sprint. Likewise, Soudal Quick-Step, Alpecin-Deceuninck, Decathlon AG2R and Intermarché-Wanty all have every reason to bring the race back together.
While the two late Category 4 climbs may briefly stretch the peloton, they are unlikely to be selective enough to trouble the leading sprinters.
Everything points towards another bunch sprint.
Stage 8 Betting
Stage Winner Odds
- Tim Merlier – 1.67
- Olav Kooij – 3.75
- Jasper Philipsen – 5.50
- Biniam Girmay – 13.00
- Max Kanter – 19.00
- Søren Wærenskjold – 21.00
- Mads Pedersen – 51.00
Verdict
This looks another stage for the bunch sprinters.
Although Tim Merlier looks the fastest man in the race at present, I think the bookmakers have overreacted to his victory on Stage 7, and at 1.67 I’m prepared to take him on.
Jasper Philipsen hit the front a little too early in the previous stage and paid the price in the closing metres. With Mathieu van der Poel almost certain to lead him out again, I’m expecting Alpecin-Deceuninck to hold their lead-out for much longer this time.
If Philipsen is delivered into the final 200 metres in the right position, I think he represents the value in the market.
Suggested Bet: Jasper Philipsen to win Stage 8 at 5.50.
Note this comes with money back for 2nd place insurance
Tour de France 2026 – Stage Winner Money Back Promotion
Back any rider to win any stage of the 2026 Tour de France, and if your selection finishes 2nd in that stage, World Sports Betting will refund your stake in World Coins, up to R5,000!
Promotion Details
- Promotion period: 4 July – 26 July 2026
- Valid on pre-match single (straight) win bets only
- Bets must be placed before the start of each stage
- Refunds are paid in World Coins
- Maximum refund: R5,000 per account
- Only real money bets qualify (free bets excluded)
- Only one qualifying refund per bet
- Cash-out bets do not qualify
- World Coins are subject to the standard World Sports Betting Free Bet Terms & Conditions
- Accounts must be verified and in good standing
How to Claim
Simply email promotions@wsb.co.za with Subject ‘TDF Stage’ to claim your refund within 72 hours of the stage finishing.
Disclaimer: Prices were correct at the time of writing but are subject to change.
