All the stage information you need, including why it matters, which riders to watch, and who to root for.
Stage 12: Lannemezan to Plateu de Beille, Thursday, July 16, 195km
The third of three tough days in the Pyrenees, Stage 12 ends with a summit finish atop the Plateau de Beille, and it is a doozy. At 195km, Stage 12 is one of the longest in the Tour, and there’s not a straight road in sight. The day starts in Lannemezan and winds its way southwest over three categorised climbs including the Col de la Core and the Port de Lers, both Category 1 climbs. The stage ends with the 15km, 7.9%, hors categorie ascent of Plateau de Beille, which is making its sixth Tour appearance.
Why It Matters
After two challenging days in the Pyrenees, Stage 12 will break many riders—especially in such hot weather. For the second day in a row, the team holding the yellow jersey could have its hands full defending it on a series of winding, technical roads. Quintana’s Movistar squad might choose to send riders up the road early, forcing Team Sky to chase from a long way out while setting up the Colombian for an attack on the final climb. If Quintana and Movistar are to have any hope of challenging Froome and Team Sky, they have to do it here.
Who to Watch
If a breakaway goes away early, expect it to contain Katusha’s Joaquim Rodriguez. With many points available in the Tour’s King of the Mountains competition tomorrow, the Spaniard might decide to go on the attack to try and take the polka-dot jersey from Team Sky’s Richie Porte. As far as the stage victory is concerned, the final climb to the finish could provide a replay of the end of Stage 10 when Froome and Quintana proved to be the Tour’s two best climbers.
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