Jasper Philipsen finishes third as Tim Merlier claims Tour de France stage 12 hat-trick

Jasper Philipsen finished third on stage 12 of the 2026 Tour de France on 16 July, as Tim Merlier powered to his third stage victory in Chalon-sur-Saône ahead of Olav Kooij.

What happened on stage 12?

The finale turned chaotic with 500 metres left when Fernando Gaviria crashed hard after overlapping a Bahrain-Victorious rider’s wheel, hitting his head and breaking his collarbone. His fall took down Soren Waerenskjold and Dorian Godon, scattering riders across the road. Merlier, reading the chaos perfectly, sliced through the melee to take the win. Philipsen held on for third behind Merlier and Kooij.

Why it matters for Jasper Philipsen

Philipsen entered the Tour as the top-ranked sprinter, yet he’s still searching for his first stage win in 2026. His Alpecin-Premier Tech squad boasts the race’s strongest leadout, but so far the Belgian has been unable to convert that advantage into victory. With only the Champs-Élysées finale left, Philipsen needs a breakthrough to salvage his Tour campaign.

Merlier admitted his Soudal Quick-Step team’s radios failed during the stage. Despite the setback, he stayed calm and surged clear with Jasper Stuyven’s late leadout intact. Philipsen’s squad, meanwhile, must refine tactics to close the gap before Paris.

What comes next for Philipsen?

The Tour’s final sprint on the Champs-Élysées next Sunday offers Philipsen one last chance to claim a stage win. Merlier, now the fastest man in this year’s race, is the favourite to add a fourth stage to his tally. Philipsen’s rivals-Merlier, Kooij, and Mads Pedersen-are all in peak form, heaping pressure on the Belgian to deliver before the race ends.