Merlier completes Tour de France treble after frantic end to stage 12

TIM MERLIER claimed his third win of this year’s Tour de France as he emerged triumphant from a chaotic, crash-hit end to stage 12 into Chalon-sur-Saone today. Merlier edged out Olav Kooij and an increasingly frustrated Jasper Philipsen, who was third for a second day running, on the slight uphill sprint while Tadej Pogacar stayed safe in the yellow jersey. Several riders were taken out in a big crash inside the final 350 metres, with Fernando Gaviria and Wednesday’s stage winner Soren…