Tour de France 2026 stage 12 preview – Another shot at a sprint victory in Chalon-sur-Saône

Stage 12: Circuit Nevers Magny-Cours – Chalon-sur-SaôneDate: July 16, 2026Distance: 179.1kmStart time: 13:30 CETFinish time: 17:49 CET

The start of the second week of the Tour de France has given sprinters double opportunities. After the previous day’s bunch kick to the line won by Søren Wærenskjold on what was the fastest road stage ever at the French Grand Tour, the sprinters will get another chance in Chalon-sur-Saône on Thursday.

Though the final climb, the category 4 Côte de Montagny-lès-Buxy, will probably tempt a few riders to try a late-stage attack, the sprinters’ teams will have 20 kilometres to reel any attackers back in.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Starting from the Magny-Cours motor racing circuit, a former Formula 1 venue, the 179.1km route heads east, crossing the Loire near Decize, 45.8 kilometres in for the intermediate sprint. Next, two category 4 climbs carry the riders towards the former mining town of Montceau-les-Mines, and into the southern Morvan, a northerly extension of the Massif Central.

Latest Videos From

(Image credit: ASO)(Image credit: ASO)Points at finish: 70-50-40-35-30-26-24-22-20-18-16-14-12-10-8-6-4-2MountainsCôte de Lanty (cat. 4, 2km at 4%), km. 76.5Côte de Cuzy (cat. 4, 2.4km at 4.5%), km. 97.8Côte de Montagny-les-Buxy (cat. 4, 2.6km at 4.3%), km. 159.4SprintsDecize, km. 45.825-20-16-14-12-10-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 ptsTime limitSwipe to scroll horizontally