Tour de France 2023: Cofidis toast another win as Ion Izagirre takes Stage 12 on frantic day

Ion Izagirre proved the strongest on the most sapping of days to take a fine solo victory on Stage 12 as Cofidis’ dream Tour de France continued.

Another frenetic start saw a breakaway fail to stick and the peloton ripped to smithereens, with Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) in the yellow jersey among those sighted closing gaps amid 90km of relentless, wild racing.

Eventually it settled with Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) among the brave escapees. The Dutch star made a break for freedom with 47km remaining, but like his madcap moves at the 2022 Tour, it ultimately came to nothing.

Instead, Izagirre came to the fore on the final climb and although a chase group formed, they lacked the cooperation – and the legs – to close the flying Spaniard who celebrated a fine win.

More to follow.

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