Marking The Spot

Tim Merlier has won stage 12 of the 2026 Tour de France, the in-form Soudal Quick-Step rider sprinting brilliantly to score his third victory of this year’s Tour, as a multi-rider crash in the chasing group caused carnage behind him. Olav Kooij (Decathlon CMA CGM Team) and Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin – Premier Tech) took second and third respectively on a gloriously chaotic stage, where the racing was as messy and unpredictable as the weather, and carefully laid plans all seemed to be chucked to the wind as multiple riders from various teams launched short-lived attacks.

Soren Waerenskjold won the fastest ever stage of the Tour de France with a long-range sprint in Nevers. The Norwegian followed an early move from Cees Bol inside the last few hundred metres of stage 11, getting several bike lengths ahead of the chasing pack and holding off the charge of Olav Kooij to claim his first career Tour win as Tadej Pogacar stayed safe in the yellow jersey.