Stage 12: "The boys are feeling good – but now things are getting really serious"

Last chance for the sprinters on the way to Chalon-sur-Saône. This is what team manager Ralph Denk predicted, and that is exactly how it played out. After a flat stage, Tim Merlier won for the third time already following a frantic finale that included a crash. "He is the strongest sprinter this year," Denk acknowledges without envy. For his team, it was a relatively quiet day. "The mood is good. The boys are feeling good… but there are still plenty of mountains to come, and that’s when things will get really serious," says the team boss. In the background, Denk talks about the sacrifices in cycling. Last year, for example, Jonas Vingegaard spoke of a potential retirement. Denk puts the challenges facing the pros into perspective and explains the biggest differences compared to earlier times. From Dole to Belfort, things are getting hillier. The riders face 2,400 meters of elevation gain and 205 kilometers, with a tough climb at the end. "There could be two races: one at the front for the breakaway, and one for the yellow jersey," says Denk. "For us, it's important that Remco and Florian get through safely."