First step at high altitude for the peloton, a Pogacar-Vincaard duel expected … Follow the 12th step

A first great explanation? The 12th stage marks the entrance to this Tour de France into the Pyrenean mountains. The runners of the peloton will set off on Thursday, July 17, from Auch, in the Gers, and end their day in Hautacam, in the Hautes-Pyrénées after 180.6 km of racing and four difficulties, whose final ascent which will be the first class excluding category (13.5 km at 7.8%) of this 112nd edition of the Grande Boucle.

The two major favorites for the victory in the general classification, Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease A Bike) and Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates XRG) should lead a tough battle in the last kilometers, during the ascent of Hautacam. Highly anticipated, will the world champion and defending winner have kept the consequences of his fall in Wednesday in Toulouse? In 2022, the Danish, a double winner of the Tour, had established himself alone at the top of this summit, after having dropped the Slovenian who hadfell for 4.5 kilometers from the finish. Bis repetita?

On the French side, the eyes will be on Lenny Martinez. The current carrier of the polka dot jersey caresses the hope of keeping the legendary tunic to the Champs-Elysées, and will therefore be tempted to take the points as in the 10th stage, on the steep slopes of Hautacam. The real start of the race is given at 1:25 p.m., and the arrival is planned around 5.30 p.m.

Follow the stage live.