Tour de France Stage 12 Crash Leaves Multiple Riders Injured
A high-speed, mass-pileup in the final kilometer of stage 12 of the Tour de France has resulted in multiple injuries and forced several riders to abandon the race. The incident occurred approximately 350 to 400 meters from the finish line in Chalon-sur-Saône as the peloton prepared for a final sprint.
The crash was initiated when Fernando Gaviria (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA) went down after bumping shoulders with Olav Kooij (Decathlon CMA CGM). Gaviria’s fall created a domino effect, causing riders behind him to collide at high speed. According to race reports, the spill involved members from several teams, including Lotto-Intermarché, Uno-X Mobility, and Picnic PostNL.
Because the crash occurred within the final 5km of the stage, race officials applied the standard safety rule, meaning riders involved were awarded the same time as the main bunch. Despite the chaos, race leader Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) was delayed but avoided injury, finishing the stage with no impact on his general classification standing. Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step) secured the stage victory, sprinting to the line while approximately 15 riders remained ahead of the crash site.
Confirmed Medical Abandonments
The medical fallout from the crash has confirmed that at least two riders sustained fractures that will prevent them from starting stage 13.
* Fernando Gaviria (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA): Medical tests confirmed the Colombian sprinter suffered a fracture in his left collarbone. He was seen clutching his shoulder after crossing the finish line with the assistance of teammate Stefano Oldani.
* Jenno Berckmoes (Lotto-Intermarché): The team announced that Berckmoes also sustained a broken collarbone during the sprint.
Riders Under Ongoing Assessment
Several other riders involved in the pile-up are being monitored by medical staff as the race prepares for the next stage. Dorian Godon (Netcompany Ineos) was seen struggling after the crash, complaining of muscular back pain and skin abrasions. Initial assessments by the race doctor and the team doctor ruled out a concussion, but the team confirmed Godon will be monitored twice daily in accordance with UCI concussion guidance. Uno-X Mobility reported that three of its riders—Søren Wærenskjold, Jonas Abrahamsen, and Anthon Charmig—were brought down in the incident. They remain under observation, including concussion assessments.
Regulatory Action Following the Incident
Following an investigation into the cause of the crash, officials issued a penalty to Vlad van Mechelen (Bahrain Victorious). Van Mechelen was handed a 500 CHF fine, a 18-point deduction in the points classification, a yellow card, and was relegated to the last place in his group. Officials cited his deviation from the chosen line that endangers other riders
as the reason for the sanction.
The stage finish in Chalon-sur-Saône had been described as technical, featuring kinks in the road and road furniture, which contributed to a tense final sprint before the pile-up occurred. Riders are now looking ahead to the upcoming stages in the Vosges and the Alps as the Tour continues.
