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A flat Tour de France stage can feel calm right up until it suddenly isn’t, and Stage 12 is a perfect example. I’m recapping the day solo while Michael’s off the grid on family vacation, so you get all the facts, a few guaranteed mispronunciations, and a clear breakdown of what actually mattered when the race hit full speed. The headline is Tim Merlier’s hat trick: his third win of the Tour, sealed in a chaotic bunch sprint shaped by crashes, nerves, and the kind of positioning battle that decides everything in the final kilometers.

But the sprint is only half the story. We walk through the late-race attempts to blow things apart, including waves of attacks that briefly split the race and forced teams to react. Then we get into the green jersey drama: the intermediate sprint, the jury review, and a points competition that’s now genuinely tight. With the top four separated by just 50 points, every intermediate and every finish from here can flip the order, especially as the route gets harder and sprint opportunities shrink.

We also zoom out for the details that make the Tour so fun to follow: the stage’s connection to an F1 circuit, a town linked to the invention of photography, and a practical explainer on the musette, the iconic feed bag riders grab at speed in the feed zone. I wrap with a quick GC check, a note on how stable the standings stay on a sprint day, and a look ahead to Stage 13 as terrain and tactics shift toward breakaways and climbing.

If you’re learning the Tour or you just want a sharp Stage 12 recap, subscribe, share this with a cycling friend, and leave a review so more fans can find the show.

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Adam and Michael’s friendship has grown through years of shared miles, challenges, and laughter on the bike. Their passion for cycling has carried them through life’s twists and turns, creating a bond full of stories, jokes, and unforgettable rides. In their podcast, they bring that same spirit to the mic—sharing adventures, trading banter, and welcoming listeners into their cycling community. Whether tackling steep climbs or cruising open roads, their conversations capture the fun, friendship, and freedom that cycling brings. Tune in for stories that celebrate the ride and the camaraderie that makes it unforgettable.

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