This Thursday, July 17, the peloton of Tour de France Tackles the high mountain with the 12th stage between Auch and Hautacam, 180.6 km long. This day marks the entry into the Pyrenees and launches a decisive triptych for the general classification. With more than 3,800 meters of elevation gain, climbers and contenders in the yellow jersey will finally be able to express himself fully. Serious things will start 46 kilometers from the finish with the ascent of the Soulor pass (11.8 km at 7.3 %), followed by Col des Bordères (3.1 km at 7.7 %). After a technical descent, the runners will approach the final climb to Hautacam: an off-category ascent of 13.5 km at 7.8 %.
VIDEO – When Luc Leblanc tells us Hautacam …
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The revenge of Pogacar?
This first large mountain stage could redistribute the cards in the general classification. Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates XRG), despite a recent fall, remains the main pretender to the yellow jersey and should undoubtedly take it back to Ben Healy (EF Education-Easypost), current leader, with only 29 seconds ahead of Slovenian.
The question that everyone is asking is whether Jonas Vingegaard (Visma | lease a bike) will succeed in following Pogacaras he has managed to do since the start of this Tour. In 2022, the Danish managed to make the Slovenian crack in this final ascent of Hautacam, but the balance of power in the mountains has since been reversed somewhat. The world champion will undoubtedly be keen to take revenge on this episode. Concerning podium contenders, as Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step), Primoz Roglic, Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) or other Matteo Jorgenson (Visma | lease a bike), a first hierarchy should appear.
The 12th stage course
– Thursday July 17th – Step 12 : AUCH – HAUTHAR / 180.6 KM
