Cycling in Yorkshire & Beyond
Cycling in Yorkshire & Beyond
Stage 11 | Stage 12 | Stage 13
Stage 12 of the Tour de France 2026 is a 179.1km flat stage from the Circuit Nevers Magny-Cours to Chalon-sur-Saône.
The riders cross the Loire at Decize and pass through Montceau-les-Mines.
The race organisers highlight the Côte de Montagny-lès-Buxy, 2.6km at an average 4.3%, but say it is unlikely to be enough of an obstacle to prevent a bunch sprint.
Race Details | Poll | Map & Profile | Timings | Videos | Food & Drink | Route Notes | Favourites
| Date | Thursday 16th July 2026 |
|---|---|
| Stage classification | Flat |
| Distance | 179.1km |
| Intermediate sprint | Decize |
| Climbs | Côte de Lanty (Cat. 4) Côte de Cuzy (Cat. 4) Côte de Montagny-lès-Buxy (Cat. 4) |
| Total climbing | 1,800m |
Vote for one of the main contenders to win Stage 12 (to be added later).
This is a map of the route of Stage 12 Tour de France 2026.
This is a zoom-able map of Stage 12 Tour de France 2026.
This is the profile of Stage 12 Tour de France 2026.
| Caravan | Fast Schedule | Slow Schedule | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start Time (départ fictif) | 1115 |
1330 |
1330 |
| Start Time (départ réel) | 1125 |
1340 |
1340 |
| Intermediate Sprint | 1229 |
1438 |
1444 |
| Côte de Lanty Climb | 1312 |
1518 |
1527 |
| Côte de Montagny-lès-Buxy Climb | 1508 |
1703 |
1722 |
| Finish Line (179.1km) | 1536 |
1729 |
1750 |
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This is a video of the route of Stage 12 Tour de France 2026.
The last time the Tour finished in Chalon-sur-Saône was on Stage 7 of the 2019 edition when Dylan Groenewegen won a bunch sprint.
Stage 12 is from Magny-Cours to Chalon-sur-Saône.
Chalon-sur-Saône is in the Burgundy region, and specialities include coq au vin, Charolais beef, and snails.
Crème de cassis (blackcurrant liqueur) is made at nearby Dijon, and can be mixed with white wine to make a kir.
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The stage starts at the Circuit Nevers Magny-Cours (départ fictif).
Stage 12 starts at the Circuit Nevers Magny-Cours, just south of Nevers.
Magny-Cours racecourse was built in 1960.
It hosted the French grand prix from 1991 to 2008. It also featured on the route of the 2014 Paris-Nice bike race.
The départ réel is at the Circuit Magny-Cours. The peloton heads south via Saint-Parize-le-Châtel to Saint-Pierre-le-Moûtier.
From Saint-Pierre, the race goes east to Neuville-lès-Decize and Saint-Germain-Chassenay.
Stage 12 crosses the Loire at Decize.
The intermediate sprint is at Decize after 45.8km raced.
The race continues east on the D981, with the first categorised climb of the day at Lanty.
The Côte de Lanty is 2km at 4%. The top comes after 76.5km raced.
The riders persist in pedalling east, reaching Luzy after 86.4km, and passing the Etang de Cuzy. Now the second categorised climb of the stage begins.
The Côte de Cuzy comes ast the road passes the Montagne de l'Arbre. It is 2.4km at an average 4.5%, with the top at 97.8km raced.
Then it's downhill to Toulon-sur-Arroux
At 126.5km, the riders reach the day's big town (other than the finish), Montceau-les-Mines.
As the name suggests, Montceau-les-Mines is a former mining town.
Coal was discovered in the area in the 1500s, and a settlement grew up as a result. It expanded after the Canal du Centre was built in the late 1700s.
The height of the coal mining industry was during World War I, when Montceau had 30,000 inhabitants.
The town has declined in more recent years.
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Now Stage 12 follows the Canal du Centre, then branches off to Montchanin-le-Haut.
Still going east, it reaches the Côte de Montagny-lès-Buxy after about 159.4km.
The Côte de Montagny-lès-Buxy is between the Mont Laurent and the Mont Cuchot. It is 2.6km at an average 4.3%.
The descent is to Buxy.
Wines made in Buxy can be labelled Montagny, Burgundy or Côtes Chalonnaises.
Buxy had an important Medieval hospital. It was on the route of Stage 6 of the 2024 Tour de France.
Next the riders are on the D977 towards Chalon-sur-Saône.
Stage 12 finish is at Chalon-sur-Saône.
The riders arrive from the south west on the D977 Route de Buxy.
They turn right on the Rue Charles Dodille, then 270° to head north on Route de Lyon, next to the river Saône.
It turns into Quai Saint-Cosme, and the finish line is on Quai Saint-Cosme near its junction with Rue de Sébastopol.
There is some very good cycle infrastructure on Quai Saint-Cosme, which is part of the Voie Verte Cluny-Givry.
It does leave a fairly narrow carriageway, which could have an effect on a bunch sprint.
A small stand/poster advertises the finish line on Quai Saint-Cosme, just short of the Pont Jean Richard.
This is the profile of the last 5km of the stage.
Chalon-sur-Saône is in the Saône-et-Loire département and the region of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté.
It's on the Saône river, and it was once a busy port where local wines were sent up and down river.
It was a Roman port, and in 354AD, Emperor Constantius II stationed the Roman 7th Army here.
It became one of the capitals of the Kingdom of Burgundy in the 500s.
Chalon-sur-Saône is the birthplace of Nicéphore Niépce, who was one of the pioneers of photography.
Niépce also invented what may be the world's first internal combustion engine, and built a dandy horse or vélocipede - a bicycle without pedals. He has a museum named after him.
Favourites for Stage 12 of the 2026 Tour de France will include top sprinters like Jasper Philipsen and Tim Merlier.
Jordi Meeus of Red Bull Bora Hansgrohe is a less famous cyclist, but capable of big results at times.
Who do you think will win Stage 12 of the 2026 Tour de France?
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