Belgium's Tim Merlier won a chaotic sprint finish to take stage 12 of the Tour de France, his third stage victory of this year's race, holding off compatriot Jasper Philipsen after coming from behind in the closing metres. The result came after a late crash involving Colombia's Fernando Gaviria brought down several riders, including stage 11 winner Soren Waerenskjold, though Merlier avoided being caught up in it. The win reinforces Merlier's status as one of the fastest sprinters in this year's Tour, on a day that marked one of the last clear opportunities for sprinters before the race turns to hillier and mountainous terrain.

The stage, run from Circuit Nevers Magny-Cours to Chalon-sur-Saone, was unsettled by heavy rain and shifting winds, with various attacks failing to stick. Merlier's win takes his tally to three stages this year, following earlier victories in stages seven and eight, while rivals Philipsen and Girmay, who share 13 Tour stage wins between them, are still waiting for their first success of this year's race. In the general classification, Tadej Pogacar remains firmly in the yellow jersey, 3 minutes 36 seconds ahead of Jonas Vingegaard, while Mads Pedersen leads the green jersey competition by 40 points over Biniam Girmay.