Tour, 12th stage: hat trick for Merlier!

Tim Merlier wins the twelfth stage of the Tour de France, from Circuit Nevers Magny-Cours in Chalon-sur-Saône   (179.1km).

After the initial four-man breakaway made up of Veistroffer , Caruso , Vercher and Costiou , a small group of 14 men, including Ganna, Simmons and Vacek, attempted a counterattack 30 km from the finish.

The attempt was however closed down almost immediately by Soudal, but on the last GPM many riders tried again, with Lidl-Trek unleashed.
No one can make a difference, but even in the final kilometers of flatland anarchy reigns, with attacks and counterattacks.

In the final 8km the sprinters' teams reorganised, especially with XDS Astana taking the lead.

In the final kilometer, the Alpecin train was perfect, with Van der Poel perfectly launching Philipsen at the same time as Gaviria fell and mowed down the group.
In the middle of the road, however, Merlier was extraordinary once again, winning clearly and taking his third success in this Tour. Kooij was 2nd, Philipsen 3rd ahead of Girmay.

ORDER OF ARRIVAL

1 MERLIER Tim Soudal Quick-Step 3:38:53
2 KOOIJ Olav Decathlon CMA CGM Team ,,
3 PHILIPSEN Jasper Alpecin - Premier Tech ,,
4 GIRMAY Biniam NSN Cycling Team,,
5 FRETIN Milan Cofidis ,,
6 TURGIS Anthony TotalEnergies ,,
7 KANTER Max XDS Astana Team ,,
8 RUSSO Clément Groupama - FDJ United,,
9 ARTZ Huub Lidl - Trek ,,
10 PEDERSEN Mads Lot Intermarché,,