Cycling betting tips: Tour de France stage eight predictions, preview and best bets

As the Tour de France rolls into its second weekend, Saturday’s action promises a brief reprieve from the punishing climbs that defined the last two days. Read on to find a detailed preview and the best bet recommendation, and don’t forget to take advantage of the selected betting offers listed below to maximise your betting value.

Cycling betting tips: Tour de France stage eight predictions

Can Milan Finally Turn the Tables in a Sprinter’s Showdown?

• Merlier edged Milan in a head-to-head sprint earlier in the race, timing his kick perfectly.
• Milan leads the points classification but has yet to convert that into a stage win.
• The final kilometre in Laval slightly rises, favouring sprinters with staying power and late acceleration.

Our Best Bet

Stage eight transitions the peloton from the punchy ascents of Brittany into the flatter, faster lanes of Upper Brittany, where the profile is clearly designed with sprinters in mind. With the 171.4km route starting in Saint-Méen-le-Grand and concluding in Laval, it’s a day that should cater to the few fastmen left in this year’s race.

After Thursday’s punishing leg and another grinding test on Friday atop the Mur-de-Bretagne, the terrain flattens out, allowing the pace to ramp up and the sprint teams to exert their influence. The route is largely flat, save for a minor climb at the Côte de Nuillé-sur-Vicoin, which poses little threat to the sprinter teams’ dominance. The peloton will need to remain vigilant, though, especially around the crosswind-prone sections that previously splintered the field.

The heat is expected to add another layer of difficulty, with temperatures in Laval set to hit 33°C under clear skies. A headwind in the final third of the stage will demand clever positioning and team coordination, especially approaching the decisive final bends and roundabouts, which could split the field and derail some lead-out trains. Despite all this, the profile and expected race dynamics scream sprint finish, and all eyes will be on the remaining top-tier sprinters to deliver a dramatic finale on the Boulevard Pierre Elain.

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Best Bet for Stage Eight: Tim Merlier to win

Here at BettingTips4You, we believe in cutting through the noise. Rather than bombard readers with a flurry of predictions, we focus on offering a single standout selection per event—quality over quantity. This ensures clarity, accountability, and consistent value for those following our tips. For Stage Eight, our top pick is Tim Merlier to win.

Why Tim Merlier Is the One to Back

In what looks set to be another drag race to the line, Tim Merlier appears best poised to grab his second stage victory of this Tour. The Belgian rider from Soudal Quick-Step has already demonstrated his explosive power in the early stages, outsprinting Jonathan Milan in Dunkirk with a well-timed move off his rival’s wheel. While Milan remains a clear and present danger, Merlier’s ability to judge the sprint and unleash his full force in the final 100 metres has given him the edge in their direct battles so far.

Importantly, Merlier has shown a singular focus on stage wins rather than chasing points at intermediate sprints, which has left him fresher for the key moments at the end of the day. The stage layout in Laval—with a relatively straightforward run-in and a slightly rising final kilometre—favours riders with strong finishing kicks and composure under pressure. Merlier’s previous win suggests he has both in abundance.

Although Milan will be desperate to finally get a stage win under his belt, his tendency to launch slightly early—as seen in their previous clash—leaves him vulnerable to a patient sprinter like Merlier, who knows exactly when to strike. With Philipsen out of the equation, and Milan his primary adversary, Merlier has a golden opportunity to double up. Given his current form, team support, and tactical sharpness, backing him here looks the most reliable route to success.

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