Tour de France stage 12 begins at 12:30 BST on Thursday 16 July, with the riders starting from the Circuit Nevers Magny-Cours before travelling 179.1km to Chalon-sur-Saône.
Live UK television coverage begins on TNT Sports 1 and HBO Max at 12:00 BST, half an hour before the neutralised start. The race is expected to finish between 16:29 and 16:50 BST, depending on the average speed.
The early intermediate sprint in Decize should take place shortly before 13:45 BST. The final categorised climb is expected between 16:03 and 16:22 BST, leaving 19.7km for the peloton to organise a likely bunch sprint.
For the full route and contenders, see our Tour de France 2026 stage 12 preview.
Tour de France stage 12 start and finish times
| Detail | UK time |
|---|---|
| TNT Sports and HBO Max coverage begins | 12:00 BST |
| Neutralised start at Magny-Cours | 12:30 BST |
| Riders leave the circuit | Approximately 12:40 BST |
| Intermediate sprint in Decize | 13:38-13:44 BST |
| Final climb begins to influence the race | From approximately 16:00 BST |
| Côte de Montagny-lès-Buxy summit | 16:03-16:22 BST |
| Expected finish in Chalon-sur-Saône | 16:29-16:50 BST |
| Highlights on 5 | 19:00 BST |
The Tour’s fastest schedule is based on an average of 47km/h, producing an expected finish at 16:29 BST. The middle estimate of 45km/h places the finish at 16:39, while a slower 43km/h stage would bring the race into Chalon-sur-Saône at around 16:50.
What time does Tour de France stage 12 start?
The neutralised start is scheduled for 13:30 local time in France, which is 12:30 BST in the UK.
The riders begin at the Circuit Nevers Magny-Cours, a venue previously used for the French Formula 1 and motorcycle Grands Prix.
The race is expected to leave the circuit and begin the main road section at approximately 13:40 CEST, or 12:40 BST.
Viewers who tune in when TNT Sports coverage begins at 12:00 BST should see the pre-stage build-up, rider interviews and start from the motor-racing circuit before the flag drops.
The complete daily schedule is available in our Tour de France 2026 TV schedule and start times guide.
What time is stage 12 on TV in the UK?
Live coverage of stage 12 begins at 12:00 BST on TNT Sports 1 and HBO Max.
The scheduled broadcast window runs until 17:15 BST, allowing time for the podium ceremonies, interviews and post-stage analysis after the expected sprint finish.
HBO Max is the main streaming option in the UK. TNT Sports is also available through selected television packages with Sky, EE and Virgin Media.
Every stage of the 2026 Tour is being shown live on TNT Sports and HBO Max. The exact channel allocation can vary according to other live sport, so viewers should check their television guide before the stage.
Our full guide to how to watch the Tour de France 2026 in the UK explains the available television and streaming options.
Photo Credit: A.S.O./Thomas MaheuxIs stage 12 on free-to-air television?
Stage 12 is not being shown live on free-to-air television in the UK.
A highlights programme will be shown on 5 at 19:00 BST, presented by Rebecca Charlton.
The programme provides a free option for viewers unable to watch the afternoon coverage. It will include the main breakaway action, green jersey points and the expected sprint in Chalon-sur-Saône.
The 2026 Tour is the first edition under the new UK arrangement in which TNT Sports holds exclusive live rights and 5 shows free-to-air highlights each evening.
Best time to tune in for stage 12
The best time depends on whether you want to watch the entire stage, follow the points classification or concentrate on the finish.
Watch from 12:00 BST for the full stage
Coverage begins before the riders start from Magny-Cours.
The early kilometres could be aggressive because several teams will want riders in the breakaway, while the intermediate sprint arrives after only 45.8km.
The stage begins relatively quickly rather than giving viewers a long period before the first meaningful contest.
The opening fight may be particularly important after a breakaway remained clear until the final six kilometres on stage 11 to Nevers.
Watch from 13:30 BST for the green jersey sprint
The intermediate sprint in Decize is expected between 13:38 and 13:44 BST.
Mads Pedersen leads the points classification and should attempt to score again. Biniam Girmay, Tim Merlier, Jasper Philipsen and Max Kanter all need to reduce his advantage on stages where they can remain near the front.
The breakaway may collect the highest points, but the contest behind could still become an important moment in the green jersey battle.
Pedersen’s ability to score across different terrain is central to our analysis of whether Mads Pedersen can win the Tour de France green jersey.
Watch from 15:30 BST for the final 60km
The peloton should pass Montceau-les-Mines shortly after 15:20 BST on the fastest schedule and around 15:35 if the stage is slower.
By this point, the sprint teams should have a clear understanding of whether the breakaway is under control.
The roads also begin moving towards the final climb and the more tactical part of the stage.
Watch from 16:00 BST for the decisive finale
Anyone interested primarily in the stage winner should tune in by 16:00 BST.
The Côte de Montagny-lès-Buxy is expected to be crested between 16:03 and 16:22 BST. It measures 2.7km at 4.3% and ends with 19.7km remaining.
The climb is unlikely to drop the leading sprinters, but it may weaken their lead-out trains and encourage attacks from Classics riders.
The descent and fast roads towards Chalon-sur-Saône should then produce approximately 25 to 45 minutes of uninterrupted finale.
Stage 12 key race times in the UK
| Race location | Distance into stage | Expected UK time |
|---|---|---|
| Circuit Nevers Magny-Cours | 0km | 12:30 BST |
| Riders leave the circuit | 0km | 12:40 BST |
| Decize intermediate sprint | 45.8km | 13:38-13:44 BST |
| Côte de Lanty | 76.5km | 14:18-14:27 BST |
| Côte de Cuzy | 97.8km | 14:45-14:56 BST |
| Montceau-les-Mines | 126.5km | 15:21-15:36 BST |
| Côte de Montagny-lès-Buxy | 159.4km | 16:03-16:22 BST |
| Five kilometres remaining | 174km | 16:22-16:43 BST |
| Chalon-sur-Saône finish | 179.1km | 16:29-16:50 BST |
All timings remain estimates. A faster opening, prolonged breakaway battle, crashes or weather changes could move the stage away from the official schedule.
Stage 11 was completed at a record average of more than 50.9km/h, showing how quickly a favourable wind and committed sprint-team chase can push the Tour ahead of its normal timetable.
Our explainer on why Tour de France stage 11 was so fast looks at how the tailwind, controlled breakaway and sprint-team chase combined to create the record.
What time is stage 12 in the United States?
Stage 12 begins at 07:30 ET and 04:30 PT.
The riders should leave the circuit at approximately 07:40 ET, while the finish is expected between 11:29 and 11:50 ET.
Peacock is the main live broadcaster in the United States. Coverage should be available before the stage begins, allowing viewers to follow the race from Magny-Cours.
| US viewing point | Eastern time | Pacific time |
|---|---|---|
| Neutralised start | 07:30 | 04:30 |
| Intermediate sprint | 08:38-08:44 | 05:38-05:44 |
| Final climb | 11:03-11:22 | 08:03-08:22 |
| Expected finish | 11:29-11:50 | 08:29-08:50 |
Photo Credit: GettyHow to watch stage 12 in Canada
Canadian viewers can watch the Tour de France through FloBikes.
The timings are the same as the eastern United States for viewers in Ontario and Quebec.
The stage begins at 07:30 ET, with the finish expected between 11:29 and 11:50 ET.
Viewers farther west should convert from the official French schedule according to their local time zone.
How to watch stage 12 in Australia
Stage 12 is available free through SBS and SBS On Demand in Australia.
The neutralised start is scheduled for 21:30 AEST on Thursday evening. The finish is expected between 01:29 and 01:50 AEST on Friday 17 July.
Australian viewers who do not want to remain awake for the complete stage can tune in from approximately 01:00 AEST for the final climb and sprint approach.
How to watch stage 12 in Europe
France Télévisions provides free-to-air coverage in France, while Eurosport and HBO Max carry the stage in many European markets.
The neutralised start is at 13:30 CEST, with the riders leaving the circuit around 13:40.
The finish is expected between 17:29 and 17:50 CEST.
Belgian viewers can follow the stage through RTBF and VRT, while Spain, Italy and several other countries retain free domestic coverage alongside the wider Eurosport and HBO Max offering.
The full range of international options is covered in our Tour de France 2026 live stream guide by country.
What to expect from stage 12
Stage 12 begins at a venue associated with speed and should finish with the Tour’s leading fast men fighting for another victory.
The official route covers 179.1km and contains around 1,800 metres of elevation. Three category-four climbs provide opportunities for the breakaway but should not prevent a bunch sprint.
The Côte de Lanty and Côte de Cuzy appear during the middle of the stage. The final Côte de Montagny-lès-Buxy comes close enough to the finish to weaken riders, but its average gradient of 4.3% is unlikely to remove Merlier, Kooij, Philipsen or Wærenskjold.
Almost 20km remain after the summit.
That should give the sprint teams enough time to close late attacks and reorganise for Chalon-sur-Saône.
The final approach includes a long 1.6km straight, favouring teams capable of placing their sprinter before the race reaches the last kilometre.
Stage 12 was already identified as one of the race’s strongest fast-finish opportunities in our ranking of the Tour de France 2026 sprint stages.
Who are the stage 12 favourites?
Olav Kooij and Tim Merlier begin as the leading contenders.
Kooij won in Pau and finished second behind Wærenskjold on stage 11. Merlier has already won twice but missed the front in Nevers, finishing 15th.
Wærenskjold will attempt to repeat his stage 11 victory, while Philipsen is searching for his first win after taking third in Nevers.
Girmay, Kanter, Milan Fretin and Huub Artz provide further options for teams with an interest in controlling the breakaway.
Pedersen’s priority may be the points classification rather than the stage win. He can score at the intermediate sprint and still target a strong finish without needing to beat every pure sprinter.
Our ranking of the best sprinters at the Tour de France 2026 compares the leading contenders and the stages that suit them.
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Photo Credit: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
Will the finish time change during the stage?
The expected finish window may narrow once the first hour has been completed.
A fast breakaway battle, tailwind or committed chase could put the race close to the 16:29 BST estimate.
A slower opening or a period in which the peloton allows the breakaway a large advantage would push the finish towards 16:50.
Viewers planning to watch only the sprint should not rely on the latest estimate.
Stage 11 finished after a record-speed afternoon, and another favourable race structure could place stage 12 well ahead of the middle timetable.
Tuning in by 16:00 BST avoids the risk of missing the final climb or an unexpectedly early finish.
Tour de France stage 12 viewing summary
Stage 12 is live on TNT Sports 1 and HBO Max from 12:00 BST.
The riders begin the neutralised section at 12:30 BST and leave the Magny-Cours circuit at around 12:40 BST.
The intermediate sprint is expected shortly before 13:45 BST.
The final climb should be completed between 16:03 and 16:22 BST, with the finish in Chalon-sur-Saône expected between 16:29 and 16:50 BST.
Free-to-air highlights will be shown on 5 at 19:00 BST.
For viewers interested only in the decisive racing, 16:00 BST is the safest time to tune in.
