Tour de France 2026: Merlier powers to victory in Chalon-sur-Saône

fotobureau Cor VosIn Chalon-sur-Saône, Tim Merlier powers to his third sprint victory of this Tour. He outguns Olav Kooij and Jasper Philipsen, while Tadej Pogacar retains the overall lead. (Slideshow route/profile)

Stage 12 Results – 2026 Tour de France

1. Tim Merlier (bel) 3:38:53
2. Olav Kooij (nld) s.t.
3. Jasper Philipsen (bel) s.t.
4. Biniam Girmay (eri) s.t.
5. Milan Fretin (bel) s.t.
6. Anthony Turgis (fra) s.t.
7. Max Kanter (ger) s.t.
8. Clément Russo (fra) s.t.
9. Mads Pedersen (den) s.t.
10. Huub Artz (nld) s.t.

GC after stage 12

1. Tadej Pogacar (slo)
2. Jonas Vingegaard (den) + 3:36
3. Remco Evenepoel (bel) + 4:06
4. Juan Ayuso (spa) + 4:22
5. Paul Seixas (fra) + 4:35
6. Florian Lipowitz (ger) + 4:44
7. Isaac del Toro (mex) + 5:08
8. Mattias Skjelmose (den) + 5:45
9. Lenny Martinez (fra) + 6:34
10. Tom Pidcock (gbr) + 11:49

Race report
Despite several attacks, the peloton is still together after 27 kilometres. Then Baptiste Veistroffer launches a solo move and he opens a 2-minute gap. After the intermediate sprint – won by Mads Pedersen – Damiano Caruso, Ewen Costiou and Mattéo Vercher set off in pursuit and they make the junction after 57 kilometres.

Their lead never grows beyond 1 minute and a half, while Veistroffer and Costiou press on together with 62 kilometres remaining. Eventually, the first attacker of the day continues solo into the final 50 kilometres.

Quinn Simmons launches an attack on a short climb with 35 kilometres remaining. Among those who follow are Filippo Ganna, Florian Vermeersch, Georg Steinhauser, Daan Hoole, Fred Wright, Louis Vervaeke, Krists Neilands, Per Strand Hagenes, Davide Ballerini and Mathias Vacek. They gobble up Veistroffer before their move is neutralised with 24 kilometres to go.

Simmons launches another attack on the Côte de Montagny-lès-Buxy, but it comes to nothing. The racing remains aggressive afterwards, although no one manages to break clear of the peloton.

As Alpecin's lead-out train, spearheaded by Mathieu van der Poel, surges to the front in the final kilometre, disaster strikes with 500 metres to go when Fernando Gaviria crashes, bringing down several other riders. Olav Kooij just manages to avoid the incident and Tim Merlier, despite being briefly held up, powers to his third stage victory of the Tour. Kooij comes close but has to settle for second, while Jasper Philipsen finishes third.

The overall standings remain unchanged. Tadej Pogacar retains a commanding lead, while Jonas Vingegaard and Remco Evenepoel head a group of six riders who all remain in contention for a place on the final podium.

Another interesting read: route 12th stage 2026 Tour de France.