The Tour de France 2026 delivered another thrilling chapter as Tim Merlier completed a sensational hat-trick on stage 12, but the sprint finish was marred by a massive crash. The Belgian rider from Soudal Quick-Step crossed the line first in a chaotic finale, cementing his status as the race's sprint king.
Stage 12 Results: Merlier Dominates the Sprint
Merlier's third win in this year's Tour came in a time of 3 hours 38 minutes and 53 seconds, edging out Olav Kooij (Decathlon CMA CGM Team) and Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Premier Tech). The crash in the final kilometers disrupted many contenders, but Merlier held his line perfectly to secure victory.
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| Position | Rider | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tim Merlier | Soudal Quick-Step | 3hrs 38mins 53secs |
| 2 | Olav Kooij | Decathlon CMA CGM Team | Same time |
| 3 | Jasper Philipsen | Alpecin-Premier Tech | Same time |
| 4 | Biniam Girmay | NSN Cycling Team | Same time |
| 5 | Milan Fretin | Cofidis | Same time |
Points Classification Update: Pedersen's Lead Shrinks
The green jersey battle tightened as Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) saw his advantage cut to just 40 points over Girmay. With no more sprint stages in the immediate schedule, Pedersen could pull away in the final two weeks. The current top five in the points classification are:
- 1. Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) – 357 points
- 2. Biniam Girmay (NSN Cycling Team) – 317 points
- 3. Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Premier Tech) – 311 points
- 4. Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step) – 307 points
- 5. Max Kanter (XDS Astana Team) – 239 points
Yellow Jersey Standings: Pogacar Remains Unchallenged
In the general classification, Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) continues to dominate, holding a lead of over three and a half minutes over Jonas Vingegaard (Team Visma-Lease a Bike). The top three remain unchanged: Pogacar, Vingegaard, and Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe).
What's Next for the Tour?
With the sprint stages behind them, the race now heads into the mountains. Pogacar will look to extend his lead, while Merlier may decide to skip the final Paris stage, which is no longer the traditional sprint parade. The crash on stage 12 has left several riders nursing injuries, and the peloton will be cautious in the days ahead.
FAQ
How many stages has Tim Merlier won in Tour de France 2026?
Tim Merlier has won three stages in the 2026 Tour de France, including stage 12, making him the sprint leader of the race.
Who is leading the points classification after stage 12?
Mads Pedersen leads the points classification with 357 points, followed by Biniam Girmay with 317 points.
What was the big crash on stage 12?
A major crash occurred in the final kilometers of stage 12, disrupting the sprint and affecting several riders, though no serious injuries were reported.
The Tour de France 2026 continues to captivate fans with dramatic racing and fierce competition. Stay tuned for more updates as the race enters its decisive mountain stages.
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