Stage 12 preview
Cugnaux - Luz-Ardiden
The battle for yellow breaks out
Luz-Ardiden is back on the Tour route for the first time since 2003, when Lance Armstrong won there after his unforgettable collision with a fan and the "did he wait?" Debate that subsequently blew up around Jan Ullrich. This will bring an end to the phony war between the favourites for the yellow jersey. Preceding the final climb is the first-ever ascent of the narrow road that winds up through the trees to the Hourquette d'Ancizan, followed by the Tourmalet from the La Mongie-side. Coming off there, the race heads straight onto the final climb.
Details -
Distance: 211 km
Highest point: 1715m
Category: High mountains
Sylwester Szmyd says...
"Bastille Day, so French riders will be putting on a show for the sponsors. It's too big a day and I'm not sure if any are good enough to win. By the end of it, we'll have a clear idea of the top contenders and we'll definitely know who can't win the Tour…"
Stage map
Stage profile
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Most Popular
Latest on Cyclingnews
-
'Negotiations open with some big riders' - Mathieu van der Poel could be surprise 2025 Giro d'Italia stage hunter
Race director Mauro Vegni accepts that Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaad are not expected to ride the Corsa Rosa -
Toon Aerts wins Cyclocross Otegem in closing sprint
Belgian beats Laurens Sweeck and Joran Wyseure to victory -
Here's Tom Pidcock's new team bike for 2025, and here's why we don't think he'll use it
While the new Scott Addict RC Ultimate is impressively light, the Scott Foil is so aero we suspect it will be reserved for the high mountains only -
Sanne Cant takes solo victory at Cyclocross Otegem
Belgian beats Aniek van Alphen and Marion Norbert Riberolle to the win