Stage 12 Breakdown:

Stage 12 takes the riders on a flat 179.1km journey from Circuit Nevers Magny-Cours to Chalon-sur-Saône. Despite featuring around 1800m of climbing, the route contains no major difficulties, making this another excellent opportunity for the sprinters before the race heads into more demanding terrain.

The stage heads east across central France on gently rolling roads, with two short Category 4 climbs and an intermediate sprint providing the only real obstacles. None of the climbs are difficult enough to trouble the fast men, and the flat run into Chalon-sur-Saône gives the sprint teams every opportunity to organize their lead-outs. The final kilometres are wide and fast, although a series of roundabouts inside the last 5 kilometres will make positioning crucial before the finishing straight.

The breakaway should be allowed some freedom early in the day, but the sprint teams are expected to keep the gap under control. Unless crosswinds split the peloton, this stage has all the ingredients for another bunch sprint.

Favorites:
| +++ | Tim Merlier, Olav Kooij, Jasper Philipsen
| ++ | Biniam Girmay, Søren Wærenskjold, Max Kanter
| + | Mads Pedersen, Mathieu v.d. Poel