Tim Merlier of Belgium and Team Soudal Quick-Step celebrates at finish line as stage winner ahead of Olav Kooij of Netherlands and Decathlon CMA CGM Team, Jasper Philipsen of Belgium and Team Alpecin-Premier Tech during the 113th Tour de France 2026, Stage 12 a 179.1km stage from Circuit Nevers Magny-Cours to Chalon-sur-Saone / #UCIWT / on July 16, 2026 in Chalon-sur-Saone, France. (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images).
Soudal-QuickStep's in-form sprinter, Tim Merlier, was forced to abandon the Tour de France during the mountainous stage 15 to Plateau de Solaison on Sunday.
Though he survived Saturday's stage to Le Markstein, a second consecutive stage of almost 4,000m of climbing proved too much for the 33-year-old, who won the sprint stages into Bordeaux, Bergerac and Chalons-sur-Saône earlier in the race.
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