Tim Merlier won the 12th stage of the 2026 Tour de France this Thursday in Chalon-sur-Saône. The Belgian sprinter from Soudal Quick-Step finished ahead of Olav Kooij and Jasper Philipsen after a massive sprint finish disrupted by a significant crash in the last kilometer. Already victorious in Bordeaux and Bergerac, he claimed his third win since the start of the race.
Tim Merlier confirms his sprint dominance
After several tight turns, the peloton passes under the red kite flag particularly stretched out. Alpecin-Premier Tech places three riders at the front to prepare Jasper Philipsen’s sprint, launched by Mathieu van der Poel. Soudal Quick-Step keeps Tim Merlier in the front positions, while Decathlon CMA CGM protects Olav Kooij.
Speed suddenly increases on the long straight of Chalon-sur-Saône. The sprinters and their teammates occupy the full width of the road. Each team tries to move up before the final sprint is triggered.
A collective crash breaks out behind the first sprinters
A few hundred meters from the line, a rider loses balance in the heart of the second line. The crash immediately spreads behind him. Several riders collide, go over their bikes, or slide on the road at high speed. Bikes remain lying across the road, blocking much of the peloton. Riders behind have almost no space to avoid the accident. Some brake sharply, others are thrown to the ground by fallen riders. The crash creates a clear break between the small group contesting the victory and the many riders blocked a few meters behind. Tim Merlier, Olav Kooij, Jasper Philipsen, and Biniam Girmay are already ahead of the accident and can continue their sprint.
Dorian Godon injured in the back
Dorian Godon is among the riders most seriously affected. The Frenchman immediately complains of back pain and has great difficulty continuing. He crosses the finish line impaired before being taken for medical examinations.
Kévin Vauquelin describes his teammate’s worrying condition: “I immediately felt Dorian was unwell. He will have back examinations. He is also a friend, so when you see him complaining about his back and barely able to pedal, it hurts the heart.” Initial assessments confirm significant pain, without a definitive diagnosis communicated immediately after the finish. The Frenchman’s condition will determine if he can start the 13th stage.
Merlier records the first hat-trick of this 2026 Tour
With three victories, Tim Merlier becomes the first rider to achieve a hat-trick in this 2026 edition. The Belgian converts another opportunity for sprinters and strengthens his record ahead of the more challenging upcoming stages. The 12th stage thus ends with another demonstration from the Soudal Quick-Step rider, now winner in Bordeaux, Bergerac, and Chalon-sur-Saône.
Pogačar solid in yellow before a decisive weekend
The 12th stage caused no change in the general classification. Tadej Pogačar retains the yellow jersey with a 3min36s lead over Jonas Vingegaard. Remco Evenepoel remains third at 4min06s, ahead of Juan Ayuso at 4min22s and Frenchman Paul Seixas, fifth at 4min35s. The podium contenders will now face much more demanding terrain. On Friday, the 13th stage links Dole to Belfort over 205.8 km of hilly terrain. The weekend then promises two decisive days for the general classification, with 155.3 km of mountain between Mulhouse and Le Markstein on Saturday, then 183.9 km between Champagnole and the Plateau de Solaison on Sunday. After the rest day, the 26.1 km individual time trial between Évian-les-Bains and Thonon-les-Bains will offer a new chance for Vingegaard, Evenepoel, Ayuso, and Seixas to reduce gaps before the big Alpine stages.
