Belgian rider Tim Merlier has won the twelfth stage of the Tour de France, seizing what may be the sprinters’ last chance. The 33-year-old triumphed after 179.1 kilometres, with the stage starting at the Magny-Cours circuit and finishing in Chalon-sur-Saône, ahead of the Dutchman Olav Kooij and Jasper Philipsen from Belgium. For Merlier, this was already his third stage victory in this Tour.
The German sprinters led by Max Kanter and Pascal Ackermann stood no chance in the fifth mass sprint, which was marred by a crash just before the finish. Kanter finished seventh, the best of the German riders. This means the wait for Germany’s first Tour stage victory continues after more than five years. The last time a German rider won a stage was in 2021, when Nils Politt triumphed in Nîmes.
Pogacar remains in yellow
In the overall standings, everything remained the same. Tadej Pogacar continues to hold a comfortable lead of over three minutes over Jonas Vingegaard. Germany’s hope, Florian Lipowitz, is 4:44 minutes behind in sixth place.
On Friday, the Tour heads for the Vosges. The stage runs for 205.8 kilometres from Dole to Belfort. Around 25 kilometres before the finish, the riders will have to tackle the Ballon d’Alsace, a first-category climb.
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