“I didn’t realise a large group had gone clear” – Tim Merlier overcomes radio confusion to complete Tour de France hat-trick

Tim Merlier completed a hat-trick of victories at the 2026 Tour de France after overcoming a malfunctioning radio, a damaged lead-out and a chaotic finale in Chalon-sur-Saone.

The Soudal – Quick-Step sprinter came from deep to beat Olav Kooij and Jasper Philipsen on stage 12, converting his third of the race’s five bunch-sprint opportunities after Lidl-Trek had spent much of the final 40 kilometres attacking and breaking apart the established sprint trains.

Merlier had not always known precisely what was happening ahead of him.

“I had a problem with my radio,” he explained afterwards. “My team-mates came over to tell me that the connection had been open the entire time. I was so focused on that that I didn’t realise a large group of attackers had gone clear. The kilometres flew by like that.”

The move Merlier initially missed was packed with powerful riders including Filippo Ganna, Mathias Vacek, Fred Wright, Lewis Askey and Mauro Schmid.

Soudal – Quick-Step and NSN Cycling Team helped bring it back, but Lidl-Trek continued to force the race through Quinn Simmons, Mattias Skjelmose, Vacek and Mads Pedersen. Repeated accelerations on the rolling approach to Chalon-sur-Saone stretched the peloton and dismantled several lead-out formations.

Merlier remained protected while the attacks continued around him. Once he cleared the final climb, the Belgian knew the stage had moved back towards terrain he could exploit. “It was still hot, but I didn’t suffer as much as I had over the past few days,” he said. “Once I got over the final climb in a good position, I was even more determined to contest the sprint.”

Another complication emerged when Jasper Stuyven suffered a puncture while preparing to guide Merlier through the closing kilometres. “Jasper Stuyven had a puncture, but I told him the sealant in his tyre would hold,” Merlier said. “I think Jasper was uncertain about his lead-out, but I told him to stay calm. The communication between us was much better today. Jasper stayed calm when I told him to and I simply had a good day myself. I also knew this finish suited me.”

Alpecin-Premier Tech appeared to have taken command beneath the flamme rouge, with Philipsen positioned behind three team-mates. A crash involving Fernando Gaviria disrupted the flow behind them, before Merlier surged from further back and carried greater speed through the final metres.

Kooij took second ahead of Philipsen, with Biniam Girmay and Milan Fretin completing the top five. Merlier’s victory moved him onto three stage wins at this Tour after only five finishes decided by a bunch sprint. “That is pretty remarkable, yes,” he admitted. “I missed a few opportunities last year, but this makes up for a lot.”

Merlier had arrived at the start feeling more nervous than usual after his partner Cameron Vandenbroucke and their young son Jules travelled to watch the stage.

“The visit from my partner and my little boy gave me some extra motivation,” he said. “Jules is still young, but maybe he will remember this victory. You try to win for them and it was special that they were here. That doesn’t happen every time, so I’m really happy about it. I was even a little more nervous this morning.”

By the finish, Merlier had converted that nervous energy into another victory, taking his Tour tally to three on a day when neither the race radio nor the usual lead-out plan worked as intended.