Tour de France 2026: Pogačar maintains lead ahead of Stage 12

Slovenian rider Tadej Pogačar remains the overall leader of the 2026 Tour de France, holding a 3:36 advantage over Jonas Vingegaard and a 4:06 gap to Remco Evenepoel after the 11th stage from Vichy to Nevers. The same stage produced the fastest flat stage ever recorded, with Norway’s Sören Wärenskjold (Uno‑X Mobility) taking the sprint win.

Stage 12 will cover 179 km from the Nevers Magny‑Cours circuit to Chalon‑sur‑Saône. The route is largely flat, featuring three Category‑4 climbs (Lanty, Cuzy and Montagny‑lès‑Buxy) and an intermediate sprint at Decize. A sprint finish is expected, though the final climb 20 km from the line could give opportunistic riders a chance to break away.

Analyses of the first half of the race show Pogačar’s current mid‑race gap is the second‑largest in the last decade, underscoring his dominant position. The race also brings significant media exposure and economic benefits to the Saône‑et‑Loire department, with estimates of €1‑3 million in direct local revenue and a €9.5 million advertising‑value per stage. Local businesses, such as an Ibis hotel pop‑up in Montceau‑les‑Mines, are capitalising on the influx of spectators.