In the aftermath of a chaotic 11th stage and without winner following the neutralization decided by the organizers due to pro-Palestine demonstrations that are too virulent on arrival in Bilbao, The return will try this Thursday to find a certain calm and to resume as it can its course, during a 12th stage of 144.9 km between 144.9 km between LAREDO and LOS CORRALS DE BUELNA. But given the extent of the events and the proportions taken by these demonstrations, we no longer know what to expect for the rest of this 80th Tour of Spainunless training Israel-Premier Tech does not decide on herself to put an end to this complicated situation by withdrawing from the race. In addition to these political considerations which will certainly be very discussed between the different actors in the coming hours and days, from a sporting point of view, this 12th stage seems on the paper promised to a good breakaway of backpackers.
VIDEO – New disruptions to fear on the 12th stage?
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A breakaway of backpackers for the win?
With two beautiful climbs on the menu, the Puerto de Alisas (8.6 km at 5.8%) at the start of the stage and especially the difficult Collada of Brenes (7 km at 7.9%) 23 km from the finish, the route seems too hard for sprinters and not difflicle enough to allow favorites to win. An ideal combination to see a good fight between backpackers of any type, even if the best climbers should be able to make the difference in the beautiful final climb.
Be careful, however, to a Mads Pedersen and his team Lidl-Trek On this route which could give ideas to the Danish, the only sprinter capable of passing this bump well with the best if the pace is not too intense. Likewise, a Tom Pidcock (Q36.5) could be revengeful after his disappointment of the day. Deprived of the possibility of winning despite a visibly sparkling form, the Briton might want to make things happen in this final which still suits him perfectly. In this case, the best runners in the general classification as Jonas Vingegaard (Visma | Lease a Bike), JOAO ALMEIDA (UAE Team Emirates XRG) and others will have to be vigilant.
The 12th stage course
– Thursday September 4 – Step 12 : Laredo – Los Corrales de Buelna / 144.9 km – 2893m D+
