Belgium’s Tim Merlier came out on top in a chaotic sprint finish to clinch stage 12 and claim his third win at this year’s Tour de France.

Merlier came from behind to beat countryman Jasper Philipsen and was able to avoid being caught up a late crash after Colombia’s Fernando Gaviria hit the deck, which brought down several other riders including stage 11 winner Soren Waerenskjold.

Philipsen, who finished third, had looked in a good position going into the final couple of kilometres on a day where many teams had attempted attacks without being able to make any stick.

The stage victory comes after Merlier won stages seven and eight earlier in this year’s race taking his overall tally to six.

“Today I was really focused on the guys who were boxed in yesterday,” Merlier said. “I found some space and I launched.”

He added that winning was “special” given his wife and young son were watching, adding that he is “still young but maybe he’s going to remember this one”.

Thursday’s route from Circuit Nevers Magny-Cours to Chalon-sur-Saone proved to be unpredictable and often frantic, while heavy rain and changing winds disrupted plans in the middle of the race.

Tadej Pogacar remains comfortably in front in contention for the yellow jersey, still ahead of Jonas Vingegaard by 3mins 36secs.

The green jersey remains an unlikely target for Merlier as he is fourth in the rankings. Mads Pedersen’s lead was reduced but he is still ahead of Eritrean Biniam Girmay by 40 points.