Eritrean cyclist Biniam Girmay emerged victorious in the 12th stage of the Tour de France, defeating Wout van Aert, while Tadej Pogacar maintained his lead in the yellow jersey. Girmay, the first Black African to win a Tour de France stage, secured his third victory of the race. Despite initially not taking risks during the 204 km ride, Girmay felt confident in the final sprint and ultimately clinched the win. His victory extended his lead in the green jersey competition over Jasper Philipsen.
Girmay’s triumph came after outpacing Van Aert and Arnaud Demare, who was later penalized, promoting Pascal Ackermann to the podium. The Eritrean rider expressed his focus on sprinting and the green jersey, emphasizing his speed and confidence in sprinting. Van Aert, although disappointed with his result, praised his performance and highlighted the positives from the race. Meanwhile, the general classification contenders had a quiet day, with Pogacar maintaining his lead and Primoz Roglic losing time due to crashes.
Roglic, the 2023 Giro d’Italia winner, faced setbacks in the Tour de France due to crashes, losing valuable time and dropping to sixth place overall. Pogacar expressed his disappointment for Roglic and acknowledged his potential in the race. Despite the challenges, Roglic remained determined and pushed through the finish line battered and bruised. As the race progresses, the competition intensifies, with riders showcasing their skills and determination on the challenging stages of the Tour de France.
Overall, the 12th stage of the Tour de France brought excitement and drama as Girmay claimed victory, maintaining his dominance in the green jersey competition. Pogacar continued to lead the race, while Roglic faced adversity but remained resilient. The remaining stages of the race promise more thrilling moments, with riders pushing their limits and battling for glory. As the Tour de France unfolds, fans eagerly await the next stages to witness more incredible performances and unexpected outcomes on the road to the final finish line.