Profile, timetables, real appointment for favorites … The 12th stage enters Auch and Hautacam in questions

The runners will start from Auch, and travel 180.6 km from mountainous land to Hautacam on Thursday.

Beginning of the mountainous journey in the Pyrenees. The runners still engaged in the peloton will start the 12th stage, Thursday, July 17, in Auch and will go through three departments – Le Gers, the Hautes -Pyrénées and the Pyrénées -Atlantiques – to arrive in Hautacam. The day after a crazy stage around Toulouse won by Jonas Abrahamsen, climbers and big favorites – Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogacar, who fell during the 11th stage – should be present during the final, ascension, after 180.6 km of a mountain course.

What is the profile?

First step at high altitude for the peloton of this 112nd edition of the Grande Boucle. After discovering the mountains during step 10 won by Simon Yatesthe runners go this time Browse more than 180 km from a four difficulty route with the first edition category, during the final in Hautacam (13.5 km at 7.8%). This summit, located at 1,520 meters above sea level, had already been on the program of a Tour stage in 2022, where Jonas Vingegaard won solo with more than a minute ahead of Tadej Pogacar.

Before this final, the peloton will have to climb three other climbs. Starting with the coast of Labatmale (1.3 km at 6.3%) located before the intermediate sprint of Bénéjacq, 85.5 km from the finish. Then two passes will stand in front of the runners: that of Soulor (11.8 km at 7.3%) and Borders (3.1 km at 7.7%).

What favorites?

New battle between the favorites for the general classification? As in 2022, Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates XRG) and Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease A Bike) should deliver a duel in the last kilometers, during the final ascent in Hautacam. The Slovenian, triple winner of the Tour, will want to take his revenge on his Danish opponent, who had kept the yellow jersey three years ago with his victory. But its state of form will also depend on its recovery after its fall in the final on Wednesday.

Vingegaard and Pogacar must nevertheless be wary of Remco Evenepoel (Sudal Quick-Step), which won the first time trial during the 5th stage after a setback departure. The Belgian could be tempted by a new victory, just as Simon Yates (Visma-Lease A Bike), winner of the first stage in the mountains. Ben Healy (EF Education-Easypost), Michael Storer (Tudor Pro Cycling Team), Ben O'Connor (Team Jayco Alula) and Felix Gall (Decathlon Ag2r La Mondiale) could be present at the top of the race, but they will have to be very strong if they want to exceed the two big favorites in the last ascent. The Frenchman Lenny Martinez could also be present in the breakaway to try to take the points for the polka dot jersey, which he took during the 10th stage.

What are the hours?

12:57 p.m.: Start of broadcasts on France 3 and france.tv((Ouvelle window)(New window)(New window)(New window).
1:10 p.m.: Fictitious departure
1:25 p.m.: Real departure
5:32 p.m.: Average forecast arrival