Tim Merlier Wins 3rd Tour Stage as Stage 12 Crash Leaves Pogacar 3:36 Ahead
Updated
Updated · NBC Sports · Jul 17
Tim Merlier Wins 3rd Tour Stage as Stage 12 Crash Leaves Pogacar 3:36 Ahead
3 articles · Updated · NBC Sports · Jul 17
Summary
Tim Merlier claimed Stage 12 in Chalon-sur-Saone for his third win of this Tour, beating Olav Kooij and Jasper Philipsen in a tense bunch sprint.
A crash erupted on the home straight when Fernando Gaviria clipped another rider's wheel, bringing down Soeren Waerenskjold and triggering a pileup involving several more riders.
Tadej Pogacar avoided the incident and kept the yellow jersey, leading Jonas Vingegaard by 3 minutes, 36 seconds and Remco Evenepoel by 4:06 after 12 stages.
The 179-kilometer stage stayed mostly controlled after Baptiste Veistroffer's solo break and a 14-rider move were reeled in before teams lined up their sprinters for the finish.
Later reports said Gaviria and Jenno Berckmoes broke collarbones and abandoned the race ahead of Friday's 206-kilometer Stage 13, which includes a late Category 1 climb.