Tim Merlier surges to Tour de France 2026 hat-trick on stage 12 but crash hits sprinters

Tim Merlier of Soudal Quick-Step won stage 12 of the 2026 Tour de France, sprinting to victory on the banks of the Saône ahead of Kooij and Philipsen to claim his third stage win of this year's race, having previously won in Bordeaux and Bergerac. The stage, considered the likely final sprint stage of this Tour, featured an intense final hour with constant but unsuccessful breakaway attempts before the bunch sprint decided the outcome. Overall leader Tadej Pogacar retained the yellow jersey.