Stage 12 will start from the Nevers Magny-Cours circuit, which has previously hosted the French Motorcycle and Formula 1 Grand Prix. The speed specialists are therefore likely to take centre stage at today’s finish, 179.1 kilometres away in Chalon-sur-Saône, at the end of a long 1.6-kilometre straight.
The last time the Tour de France visited this venue, in 2019, the stage also ended in a bunch sprint. However, the breakaway riders will try to make their move, hoping to capitalise on the presence of three category 4 climbs: Côte de Lanty climb (2 km at 4 %), Côte de Cruzy (2.4 km at 4.5 %) and Côte de Montagny-lès-Buxy (2.6 km at 4.3 %), the latter ending just 19.7 kilometres from the finish line.
“I’m hoping for a hat-trick,” said Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step) before leaving Vichy for Nevers on day 10. Having won in Bordeaux and Bergerac, the Belgian was eventually unable to make his mark in Nièvre (15th) and is out for revenge in Saône-et-Loire. The same goes for Olav Kooij (Decathlon CMA CGM), who came second by a matter of centimetres and is looking to secure a second win following his success in Pau. Having performed consistently since the start, Biniam Girmay (NSN) and Max Kanter (XDS Astana) are chasing their first victory, having yet to get off the mark in this edition.
The man who did just that in Nevers, Soren Wærenskjold (Uno-X Mobility), surprised the field as well as himself. A first success calls for more glory, and the Norwegian will set off with greater confidence than ever before. Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Premier Tech) hopes to regain his own confidence, building on his first podium finish in this 2026 edition. The other key riders at the finish in Nevers, Milan Fretin (Cofidis, 4th) and Huub Artz (Lotto Intermarché, 5th), are also among the contenders for a strong result at this sixth finish in the Tour’s history in Chalon-sur-Saône, a venue that has also favoured attackers, starting with Great Britain's Brian Robinson the first winner here in 1959 with a gap of over 20 minutes to his chasers!
