Expect the overall battle to ignite in stage 12 of the 2017 Tour de France. Yes, there have seen a number of mountain stages, but none of these ran to such a challenging finale as the stage to Peyragudes. So stage 12 is perfect to put pressure on your opponents.
The riders face four intermediate climbs – Côte de Capvern, Col des Ares, Col de Menté and Port de Balès – before they hit the foot of the two-stage ascent to the finish line at kilometre 200. Still 14 kilometres to go. For starters the Col de Peyresourde, which is a 9.7 kilometres toil at 7.8%, and after a short drop the climb to Peyragudes kicks in: 2,4 kilometer à 8,4%.
If the GC guys keep their powder dry the stage could give a chance for a rehabilitation of Contador, who saw his GC ambitions turn sour in stage 9. Or are going to see a first glimpse of Chaves in his first Tour de France?
So, by all means, we should expect a thrilling finale.
Favourites 12th stage 2017 Tour de France
*** Chris Froome, Romain Bardet, Fabio Aru, Rigoberto Uran, Jakob Fuglsang
** Thibaut Pinot, Esteban Chaves, Alberto Contador, Bauke Mollema, Daniel Martin
* Warren Barguil, Louis Meintjes. Nairo Quintana, Thomas De Gendt, Simon Yates
Tour de France 2017 stage 12: Route maps, height profiles, and more
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Details finish 12th stage
Profile intermediate sprint 12th stage
Details intermediate sprint 12th stage
Scheduled times
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Start and finish at Google maps
Saint Aventin – Peyresourde at StravaInstagram #peyresourde
Mikel Landa of Tram Sky could surprise by attacking early taking the pressure off Froome and is good enough to stay away?