Belgian cyclist Tim Merlier triumphed in a frantic sprint during stage 12 of the Tour de France, marking his third win of the current competition. Merlier maneuvered past his countryman Jasper Philipsen to take the top spot, successfully avoiding a late-race crash involving Colombia’s Fernando Gaviria and stage 11 winner Soren Waerenskjold.
Although several teams attempted to break away throughout the day, those efforts proved unsuccessful. The route from Circuit Nevers Magny-Cours to Chalon-sur-Saone was characterized by unpredictable weather, including heavy rain and shifting winds. Following these victories in stages seven and eight, Merlier now holds a total of six career stage wins in the event.
In the overall standings, Tadej Pogacar continues to lead the race for the yellow jersey, maintaining a 3-minute and 36-second gap over Jonas Vingegaard. Meanwhile, Mads Pedersen holds the green jersey, leading Biniam Girmay by 40 points. As the race moves into more mountainous terrain, this may have been the final opportunity for sprinters to shine, cementing Merlier’s status as a dominant force in this year’s competition.
