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| We've got some steep and storied mountains on the route today. |
Today we move from Toulouse to Bagneres-de-Bigorre, 209.5 km of ups and downs. Yesterday finished with yet another new stage winner, making eleven days and eleven different winners. Quite extraordinary! The Yellow Jersey is still on Alaphillipe, however, and the question comes - "Will it still be after today's stage?" These four days in the Pyrenees are crucial and here's where our climbers will finally come into their own (and our GC contenders will push to move up and claim as many points as they can).
Here's the official blurb for today's stage:
Following Caleb Ewan’s maiden victory in the Tour de France in Toulouse, a different kind of race begins in the mountains. Stage 12 is an appetizer of the Pyrenees before the gruelling hilltop finish at the Tourmalet on Saturday. Best young rider Egan Bernal foresees a breakaway from far out and no fight between the GC favourites ahead of the individual time trial in Pau on the occasion of the birthday of the yellow jersey (100 years). But race leader Julian Alaphilippe is prepared for any kind of offensive on his position. Two first category climbs are on the menu with col de Peyresourde and La Hourquette d’Ancizan. The latter features a sprint bonus with 30km to go to Bagnères-de-Bigorre. The fight for the morning breakaway might be the most competitive of the 106th Tour de France up to date.
Tomorrow's individual time trial from Pau to Pau will be essential and the riders will have to go all out to really mark their positions within the rankings. Even though the major players may end up without much change in their positions after today, by the time Monday comes around, the leaderboard may look quite different.
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| This is too fun! Here's a great photo of Col de Peyresourde, the first of the two major mountains the riders will cycle over today. |
Today, however, I'm just going to enjoy the fact that we're finally in the mountains. I'm always amazed by the scenery and the crowds of spectators, as well as the roads themselves. The Alps may be majestic but the Pyrenees have my heart because they're spunky and so very challenging.
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| Here's the detail profile of Col de Peyresourde, the first of the Cat 1 peaks on today's route. |
As mentioned in the official blurb, Caleb Ewan (Lotto Soudal) was the winner of yesterday's stage. Switching to the overall rankings, however, Geraint Thomas (Ineos) has moved up to second place, directly behind Alaphillipe by 1' 12". That's such a small amount when the riders are climbing. If Geraint can hold on through today and ride a killer time trial tomorrow, he'll continue to solidify his grip on the top step of the podium in Paris as this year's winner of Le Tour. He's been riding a clever race thus far.
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| Here, riders are moving up the road of La Hourquette d'Ancizan, the second major peak on today's ride. Just look at the narrow and steep roads that the Pyrenees are known for. Very different than the Alps we're visiting next week. |
We lost two riders yesterday and one more did not start today. Niki Terpstra (Total Direct Energie) was involved in a serious crash yesterday and had to pull out. Rich Zabel (Team Katusha Alpecin) did not start Stage 11 and Jasper Philipsen (UAE Team Emirates) did not start Stage 12. So far only eight riders have withdrawn from the race, I strongly suspect that's going to be changed by the time Monday's rest day finally arrives.
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| The singular element of La Hourquette d'Ancizan is that false summit that comes 4/5 of the way up the peak. The bit that follows that false summit is a beast - steep and unforgiving. |
Have an excellent Thursday and enjoy Day 1 of the Pyrenees portion of Le Tour de France. I've put photos of the mountains into the blog for you to enjoy. I'll be back tomorrow, at least, that's the plan.
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