Samwise Cycle Racing Newsletter
Friday, July 17, 2026
Merlier Completes Hat-Trick of Sprint Victories with Stage 12 Win in Chalon-sur-Saône
Tim Merlier (Soudal-QuickStep) secured his third stage victory at the 2026 Tour de France with a clinical sprint win in Chalon-sur-Saône on July 16. The Belgian edged out Olav Kooij (Decathlon CMA CGM) and Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Premier Tech) in the stage 12 finish to complete a hat-trick of victories in this year’s race. Merlier found space in the final metres before launching his winning effort, crossing the line comfortably ahead of the chasing pair. Tadej Pogacar retained the yellow and polka-dot jerseys, and Juan Ayuso held the white jersey, with no changes to the General Classification.
Sources: Cyclingnews Cycling Weekly Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Gaviria and Berckmoes Abandon Tour de France After Broken Collarbones in Stage 12 Sprint Crash
A high-speed, domino-effect crash in the final 400 metres of stage 12 at the 2026 Tour de France has forced two riders to abandon the race. Fernando Gaviria (Caja Rural) and Jenno Berckmoes (Lotto-Intermaré) both fractured their collarbones in the sprint incident in Chalon-sur-Saône on July 16 and confirmed their withdrawals on Friday. Berckmoes will undergo surgery in Belgium. A third rider, Dorian Godon, sustained skin abrasions and muscular back pain. The crash occurred outside the 5-kilometre safe zone protecting General Classification riders and developed from a high-speed domino sequence involving multiple riders.
Sources: Cyclingnews Cyclingnews Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Caja Rural’s Tour de France Debut Derailed as Crashes Leave Wildcard Team with Six Riders
Spanish wildcard team Caja Rural-Seguros RGA, making their long-awaited Tour de France debut, have been reduced to six riders after a brutal run of crashes. Alex Molenaar claimed the polka-dot jersey on stage 2 before crashing into a hay bale in the chaotic final kilometres of stage 5, fracturing a metacarpal in his right hand and abandoning the following morning. Sprinter Fernando Gaviria then broke his collarbone in the mass pileup in the final 400 metres of stage 12 in Chalon-sur-Saône on July 16. Sports directors confirmed the team must now “change our chip” and look at their other options including the climbers available to them.
Sources: Cycling Weekly Cyclingnews Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Pogacar Leads by 3:36 with Vingegaard and Evenepoel Locked in Battle for Second Place
Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) holds a commanding 3:36 lead over Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) in the General Classification after stage 12 of the 2026 Tour de France, with Cyclingnews describing the Slovenian’s performance as tension-draining dominance. Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) stands third at 4:06, Juan Ayuso (Lidl-Trek) fourth at 4:22, and Paul Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM) fifth at 4:35. Vingegaard lost 54 seconds to Pogacar on the Bastille Day stage 10 alone and now leads Evenepoel by only 30 seconds, with two summit finishes this weekend set to reshape the podium battle. Pogacar has indicated he plans an easier day on Friday before the climbing stages.
Sources: Cyclingnews Cyclingnews Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Mads Pedersen’s Green Jersey Lead All But Assured with One Sprint Stage Remaining
Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) leads the Tour de France green points jersey competition with 317 points after stage 12, with analysis from Cyclingnews describing the classification as his to lose. Biniam Girmay (NSN) stands second with 272 points, Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Premier Tech) third with 255 points, and Tim Merlier (Soudal-QuickStep) fourth with 223 points after his stage 12 hat-trick. Pedersen’s lead over Girmay dropped from 54 to 45 points after Thursday’s sprint stage, but Girmay’s difficulties in the finish turned the outcome into a net success for the Lidl-Trek rider. With one sprint stage remaining in this year’s race, the green jersey appears firmly within Pedersen’s grasp.
Sources: Cyclingnews Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
After Sprint Hat-Trick, Merlier Sets Sights on Survival as Tour Turns to Mountains
After completing a hat-trick of sprint victories at the 2026 Tour de France, Tim Merlier (Soudal-QuickStep) has turned his attention to simply surviving the race’s upcoming mountain terrain. The Belgian spoke on July 17 ahead of stage 13, a hilly 205-kilometre ride from Dole to Belfort featuring the Ballon d’Alsace — an 8.9-kilometre climb averaging 6.9 per cent. Asked about his prospects on the day’s key ascent, Merlier said his goal was to “try to survive, maybe.” The comment signals a change of approach following three sprint wins in this year’s race, with Cycling Weekly reporting Merlier is changing tack ahead of the race’s tougher terrain.
Sources: Cycling Weekly Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe: “Right Now the Fight Is for the Podium” as Evenepoel Eyes Vingegaard
Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe have acknowledged that Tadej Pogacar is “operating in another league” at the 2026 Tour de France, but said the fight for the overall podium has become “much more open” as the race enters its decisive mountain weekend. The team carries dual leaders in Remco Evenepoel, third at 4:06, and Florian Lipowitz, sixth at 4:44. A sports director told Cyclingnews: “Right now the fight is for the podium.” Evenepoel trails Jonas Vingegaard by just 30 seconds for second place. The team noted their two leaders are very different kinds of riders, giving them options and the ability to complement each other on the upcoming climbs.
Sources: Cyclingnews Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
General Classification
GC Top 5 — After Stage 12
1. Pogacar (UAE) — Leader
2. Vingegaard (Visma) — +3:36
3. Evenepoel (Red Bull) — +4:06
4. Ayuso (Lidl-Trek) — +4:22
5. Seixas (Decathlon) — +4:35
Other Classifications
Points / KOM / White
Green: Mads Pedersen (317 pts)
KOM: Tadej Pogacar (leads)
White: Juan Ayuso (+4:22)
Stage 12 Winner
Tim Merlier (Soudal-QuickStep)
Curated by JD · samwise.agency