Mago Merlier of Soudal-Quick Step secured his third victory of the current Tour de France, winning the 179-kilometer twelfth stage from Circuit Nevers Magny-Cours to Chalon-sur-Saône. Despite aggressive breakaway attempts from riders including Filippo Ganna and Davide Ballerini, the race concluded in a bunch sprint, with the peloton nullifying escape efforts to set up the specialized finishers.
Dominance in the Sprint Finish
The finale in Chalon-sur-Saône saw a high-stakes tactical battle between the lead-out trains. According to race reports, Alpecin invested heavily in setting up Jasper Philipsen, with Mathieu van der Poel working in the front to position his teammate. Despite this, Merlier proved superior in the final meters, marking his 74th career victory.
This result reinforces Merlier’s status as the premier sprinter in the field, particularly given the absence of Jonathan Milan, who claimed two stages and the green jersey in the previous edition. The Soudal-Quick Step team continues a strong season for their sprint contingent, having previously secured three stage wins at the Giro d’Italia with Paul Magnier.
Did you know?
The city of Chalon-sur-Saône has a notable history in the Tour de France, having hosted the yellow jersey wearer Giulio Ciccone in 2019.
General Classification Standings
The twelfth stage resulted in no significant changes to the general classification. Tadej Pogačar maintains his lead, holding a 3’36” advantage over Jonas Vingegaard and 4’06” over Remco Evenepoel. The top ten remains stable, with Juan Ayuso in fourth at 4’22” and Paul Seixas in fifth at 4’35”.
Further down the standings, Florian Lipowitz holds sixth (+4’44”), followed by Del Toro (+5’08”), Mattias Skjelmose (+5’45”), Martinez (+6’34”), and Pidcock, who currently sits tenth at 11’49”.
The Road Ahead: Stage 13
The race continues with a 206-kilometer trek from Dole to Belfort. While the first two-thirds of the route are largely flat, the terrain is expected to change significantly toward the finish. The stage features the climb of the Ballon d’Alsace, which spans 9.1 kilometers at an average gradient of 6.8 percent. The summit of this climb sits roughly 30 kilometers from the finish line, providing a potential launchpad for late-stage attacks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the twelfth stage of the Tour?
Mago Merlier of Soudal-Quick Step won the stage in a bunch sprint.
Has the general classification changed after stage 12?
No, there were no significant changes to the overall leaderboard; Tadej Pogačar remains in the yellow jersey.
What is the profile of the thirteenth stage?
Stage 13 is a 206-kilometer route that transitions from flat terrain to a final climb at the Ballon d’Alsace before the descent to the finish in Belfort.
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