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2019 Tour de France: Stage 12 Preview

  • Ron 

Stage 12 of the 2019 Tour de France will cover 209.5km from Toulouse to Bagnères-de-Bigorre and marks the entry of the race into the Pyrenees.

Expect the breakaway artists to make an appearance in the first half of the stage, but this will ultimately be one for the climbers and the GC contenders to make their move.

There are two Category 1 climbs on tap during the stage. The first is the Col de Peyresourde (15.3km at 6.1%). That climb is one of the oldest ascents in the race, first used in 1910 when Octave Lapize led over its summit. Peyresourde is followed fairly quickly by the shorter yet steeper Hourquette d’Anzican (9.9km at7.5%), also the day’s KOM point.

Once the riders crest the final climb, they’ll have a 30km downhill run into Bagnères-de-Bigorre. The GC leaders will be fighting for the line there, where time bonuses of 10, 6 and 4 seconds will be awarded.

There are 7 riders within 2 minutes of the race lead and it’s almost certain that the maillot jaune will not be on the shoulders of Julian Alaphilippe at the end of the day. Geraint Thomas, currently sitting at 2nd place is the GC is the obvious choice to move into the lead, but with nine stages remaining, he may not want to be in the hotspot this early.

Others are saying that the stage will go to a break and that Alaphilippe will hold the jersey. Hmmm. It’ll be one to watch!

Arrival town of Bagnères-de-Bigorre is located at the foot of the Pyrenees mountains on the banks of the Adour river. It’s mostly known as a spa resort, but it’s also know for its lively old quarter with beautiful old houses dominated by the Flamboyant Gothic Tour des Jacobins tower, the casino and the lovely Parc Thermal spa garden.

 

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