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Stage 12 » Lannemezan › Plateau de Beille (195k)
A last day of Pyreanean climbing before we head East towards the Alps, but what a day this is. We have four categorised climbs on this 195km stage, and they get harder and harder culminating in the monstrous HC Plateau de Beille summit finish. There is a Cat 2 climb, 2 x Cat 1s and then the HC summit finish in what should be a great spectacle and go a long way towards establishing (or confirming) the GC order.
This is the third consecutive day with a lot of climbing and this could see some very big time gaps. The stage starts in the town of Lannemezan, South of Toulouse and East of Tarbes and on the eponymous plain which counts as the source of 18 different rivers. The area has a history of floods and mudslides, but it is unlikely we will see anything like that today. From Lannemezan we move generally East, moving more or less parallel to the Spanish border. The first 40-odd km of this stage are pretty flat, just to lull the riders into a false sense of security, but after 47km they will hit the first slopes of the Cat 2 Col de Portet-d'Aspet. From there on there is hardly a flat piece of road until the end. The Col de Portet-d'Aspet is a Cat 2 climb, infamous for the death of Fabio Casartelli in 1995, who died on the descent after a crash with several other riders when he hit his head on a concrete block at the side of the road.
The Portet d'Aspet is a hard climb, steep but mercifully short at 4.3km @ 9.7%. On this stage though the climbs get bigger and bigger. The Col de Portet d'Aspet should already see a large autobus form, and the pain continues when the riders hit the town of Castillons at 76km and they approach the second climb of the day, the Cat 1 Col de la Core.
Col de la Core is 14.1km @ 5.7%. It starts fairly innocuously, with low gradients, but towards the top there are 8km of climb where the slopes are always 6-8%. There is over 800m of vertical gain on this climb that tops out at just shy of 1400m. The descent is not too technical and following the descent there are some flat kilometres as the riders head towards the third climb of the day, the Cat 1 Port de Lers.
This is quite an irregular climb and it could catch riders out who are not happy with constantly changing gradients. This climb has been used in the Tour four times since the first time in 1995. Most recently it was included in 2012 when Sergio Paulinho won the stage that finished in the nearby Foix. The climb starts in the town of Massat and the early gradients aren't too steep. The slopes then go upto 6-9% for the nex few kms, and there are some short sections upto 12%. About 5km from the summit the gradient eases before another steep section around 8% just before the summit. The Port de Lers is 12.9% @ 6km in total, which is nearly 800m of vertical climb. When they reach the summit there are just under 50km to go in the stage.
The final climb to the ski station of Plateau de Beille is an absolute beast. This climb has featured on the Tour 5 times since 1998, most recently in 2011 when Jelle Vanendert won Stage 14. The hardest gradients on this climb are at the beginning, with steep ramps immediately out of the square in Les Cabannes. The climb is 15.8km @ 7.9% which makes this climb similar to L'alpe d'Huez. The first 12km of this climb will see the riders get cover from the forest, but after that it is open. The roads are primarily smooth for the forst part of the climb too, but they do deteriorate on the higher slopes where there are several switchbacks. This is a very hard climb at the end of a tough stage. Tthere could be very big time gaps and it would be no surprise to see the winner of this stage take the overall race.
A last day of Pyreanean climbing before we head East towards the Alps, but what a day this is. We have four categorised climbs on this 195km stage, and they get harder and harder culminating in the monstrous HC Plateau de Beille summit finish. There is a Cat 2 climb, 2 x Cat 1s and then the HC summit finish in what should be a great spectacle and go a long way towards establishing (or confirming) the GC order.
This is the third consecutive day with a lot of climbing and this could see some very big time gaps. The stage starts in the town of Lannemezan, South of Toulouse and East of Tarbes and on the eponymous plain which counts as the source of 18 different rivers. The area has a history of floods and mudslides, but it is unlikely we will see anything like that today. From Lannemezan we move generally East, moving more or less parallel to the Spanish border. The first 40-odd km of this stage are pretty flat, just to lull the riders into a false sense of security, but after 47km they will hit the first slopes of the Cat 2 Col de Portet-d'Aspet. From there on there is hardly a flat piece of road until the end. The Col de Portet-d'Aspet is a Cat 2 climb, infamous for the death of Fabio Casartelli in 1995, who died on the descent after a crash with several other riders when he hit his head on a concrete block at the side of the road.
The Portet d'Aspet is a hard climb, steep but mercifully short at 4.3km @ 9.7%. On this stage though the climbs get bigger and bigger. The Col de Portet d'Aspet should already see a large autobus form, and the pain continues when the riders hit the town of Castillons at 76km and they approach the second climb of the day, the Cat 1 Col de la Core.
Col de la Core is 14.1km @ 5.7%. It starts fairly innocuously, with low gradients, but towards the top there are 8km of climb where the slopes are always 6-8%. There is over 800m of vertical gain on this climb that tops out at just shy of 1400m. The descent is not too technical and following the descent there are some flat kilometres as the riders head towards the third climb of the day, the Cat 1 Port de Lers.
This is quite an irregular climb and it could catch riders out who are not happy with constantly changing gradients. This climb has been used in the Tour four times since the first time in 1995. Most recently it was included in 2012 when Sergio Paulinho won the stage that finished in the nearby Foix. The climb starts in the town of Massat and the early gradients aren't too steep. The slopes then go upto 6-9% for the nex few kms, and there are some short sections upto 12%. About 5km from the summit the gradient eases before another steep section around 8% just before the summit. The Port de Lers is 12.9% @ 6km in total, which is nearly 800m of vertical climb. When they reach the summit there are just under 50km to go in the stage.
The final climb to the ski station of Plateau de Beille is an absolute beast. This climb has featured on the Tour 5 times since 1998, most recently in 2011 when Jelle Vanendert won Stage 14. The hardest gradients on this climb are at the beginning, with steep ramps immediately out of the square in Les Cabannes. The climb is 15.8km @ 7.9% which makes this climb similar to L'alpe d'Huez. The first 12km of this climb will see the riders get cover from the forest, but after that it is open. The roads are primarily smooth for the forst part of the climb too, but they do deteriorate on the higher slopes where there are several switchbacks. This is a very hard climb at the end of a tough stage. Tthere could be very big time gaps and it would be no surprise to see the winner of this stage take the overall race.
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Pace ever so slightly coming on in the peloton, still with them unless a breakaway rider puts on the hurt.
Purito at 5/1 a good value saver now, I would suggest. The break just not coming that hard.
Bardet the scintillating young climber, but Purito is the wily experienced campaigner -- is my thinking.
Rodriguez may well be bluffing but he doesn't look good to me.
I agree he doesn't look exceptional, but he is smart in a cunning way, has done no work, may find the good sensations still for bury-mode on the final climb, and at 5/1 was good value to cover contingency.
I like Vanmarcke, probably my favourite rider from the Belgians with Boonen, but has done nothing all season, nothing absolutely on the Cobbles, and here he is in the Pyrenees -- pity he cannot win!
...Riding into a Top-5 finish on GC then;-)
Okay, so looks like the peloton and the GC trains will come hard on the final climb -- that was expected -- but how much time do they require by the start of the 15.8 at 7.9%, taking into account that there will be accelerations between the suitable candidates in the breakaway and then bury-mode by one of them or more? It's just too tough to work out without precise sectional times.
Okay, so looks like the peloton and the GC trains will come hard on the final climb -- that was expected -- but how much time do they require by the start of the 15.8 at 7.9%, taking into account that there will be accelerations between the suitable candidates in the breakaway and then bury-mode by one of them or more? It's just too tough to work out without precise sectional times.
Meintjes crashes -- inexperienced rider being pushed too hard!
amazing how skys challengers have keeled over and just let them control @ their pace.
Surely they should try and put froome under severe pressure especially on these slippery /tricky descent.
Surely they should try and put froome under severe pressure especially on these slippery /tricky descent.
CJ -- how is Fuglsang still favourite for the stage win please mate?
I have no pictures of the front group. Watching the descent from the back of the peleton Moto. Pretty much a pick em with Fuglsang and J-Rod atm.
Seems to be name picking than anything else.
Seems to be name picking than anything else.
Want to smash his price, but don't want to walk into a trap, however I just can't see that there is a trap with him on this finish. Not when it is this steep, and yes he has changed a little in AST to domestique for Nibali -- we saw that in Suisse and Romandie, but it just feels too easy, sadly.
Okay, it's with the break, but still requires bury-mode. The candidates for mine are: Purito, Bardet, and Gorka Izagirre. Fuglsang has been given the role of leader by the team, apparently. He'll be out to impress, but just too many much better riders in my view.
Get everything ready just in case with your bets then mate.
No surprise to see Kwiatkowski and Vanmarcke stretch away a little on the flat -- two strong TT riders.
Kwiatkowski would need a minumu of 3 mins, but probably 4 to the attacking climbers following.
If the rain is this bad its advantage Kwia. Will slow them all down.
Im all over Bardet with 10€ at @220 already made some savers on Fulglsang and Purito, but Purito doesnt seem good to me. I still think this is for Fulglsang or Bardet.
Can't see Kwiatkowski finding endless high-intensity cadence with chasers attacking -- think he will hit the wall!
The thing with Kwiatkowski is that not even he knows what sort of rider he is yet -- yes a versatile puncheur with a strong engine, but perhaps he might also be a climber, one day. They've talked about challenging him for the GC, but it's true he has not been a climber in the past, and is to be resisted. Doing it hard on the front though, just now!
Cherel following the script -- giving Bardet every chance here. Purito being smart in just behind, Fuglsang not exactly comfortable.
Ive Bet Michal for quite a few stages after yesterdays Debacle I gave up on him 
Obviously a rest day for todays all out assault ...
Obviously a rest day for todays all out assault ...
Yep, they have to get rid of him, or he might be dangerous by the finale. 6 kms to go will look like fireworks.
Bardet was as sick as a dog yesterday Rodriguez took no part either 
Purito tried a couple of times, but they seem pretty close.
Fulglsang goes again, but all follow
Bardet is the only one following wheels
Fulglsang goes again, but all follow
Bardet is the only one following wheels
Fuglsang looking tougher than I expected -- have two against one, though.
Hope not -- this steep stuff should break his rhythm, hopefully.
But Sky is so strong, they still have Porte and G there
The steep gradient mixed his rhythm! Come on Purito!
Tortured face of Purito turns into ecstasy on the finish line -- magnificent ride by the veteran to dislodge some good riders from that breakaway. Fuglsang was quite a brilliant ride also -- I might have followed my own advice to lay his pants off, but just couldn't find the nerve, and clearly there were some tips around for such a strong performance by him.
I think after that ride, it appears that AST have worked on him to be a strong support for Nibali in the mountains, and he took the leadership role in both hands for this stage!
I think after that ride, it appears that AST have worked on him to be a strong support for Nibali in the mountains, and he took the leadership role in both hands for this stage!
TJ looked very comfortable today just sat watching all the way last few KMs
Nice stage to watch, we can have some epic stages in the future
Think TJVG was what Froome really needed in the Criterium Dauphine -- he really sharpened Froome up by giving him such a tough, challenging ride. Asked him a lot of questions and pushed him to rediscover his foundation from Romandie, where he was still scared but wanting to find more.
Wasn't paying that much attention to the peloton once Purito got out in the lead by himself -- will review it of course, however I think Froome still looked solid to not get left behind by Quintana.
Trying to attack Froome in his strongest aspect of his game. Pathetic effort from Movistar/Tinkoff et al
The only danger to Froome is saddle sores from p!ssing himself laughing all the way to paris.
Vamos Purito. It was good that the broadcast started right from the beginning of the stage today given it was a breakaeay stage, you were able to see the riders in the breakaway right from the start.
Nice ride from Meintjes, happy with that after backing him pre-post, he touched 5.00 in-play which allowed for a nice trade. Lots of selections on here of riders who made the break so I hope people did well.
Froome found his form at the same place G and Richie did, "training camp". The Dauphine was good for him but more of mental boost to let him know he was on track.
Nice ride from Meintjes, happy with that after backing him pre-post, he touched 5.00 in-play which allowed for a nice trade. Lots of selections on here of riders who made the break so I hope people did well.
Froome found his form at the same place G and Richie did, "training camp". The Dauphine was good for him but more of mental boost to let him know he was on track.
Haven't checked the records, but it seems like a Spaniard nearly always gets a stage win in the Pyrenees. Might put some work into that if I get some free time.
The best tactics by MOV and TCS was to grind Froome down by giving him hard ride after hard ride, which had the danger of strengthening him further, but these bullsh!t attacks would never hurt him, I agree.
The best tactics by MOV and TCS was to grind Froome down by giving him hard ride after hard ride, which had the danger of strengthening him further, but these bullsh!t attacks would never hurt him, I agree.
Not sure if nugget's comment was directed at me and I don't care, but he should be advised that since I have blocked him I don't see what he writes.
Jul 16, 2015 -- 10:18AM, geoff m wrote:
The only danger to Froome is saddle sores from p!ssing himself laughing all the way to paris.
I cant believe none of the GC teams went to the front on the final descent when Sky noticeably dropped the pace. It wouldn't have cost much energy and it would of made things a touch more stressful for Sky.
I had a bit of a laugh at Froome's attack, all he really did was drop G and leave himself isolated but the others weren't really able to capitalise. Credit to G though he clawed his way back and is riding amazingly.
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Jul 16, 2015 -- 10:28AM, SwingingPick wrote:
Not sure if nugget's comment was directed at me and I don't care, but he should be advised that since I have blocked him I don't see what he writes.
lol
SwingingPick • July 16, 2015 4:11 PM BST
Think TJVG was what Froome really needed in the Criterium Dauphine -- he really sharpened Froome up by giving him such a tough, challenging ride. Asked him a lot of questions and pushed him to rediscover his foundation from Romandie, where he was still scared but wanting to find more.
What is he? a bloody pencil
Think TJVG was what Froome really needed in the Criterium Dauphine -- he really sharpened Froome up by giving him such a tough, challenging ride. Asked him a lot of questions and pushed him to rediscover his foundation from Romandie, where he was still scared but wanting to find more.
What is he? a bloody pencil
Correct Nugget Froome should have been put under severe pressure on the descent and attack a potential weakness not his strength.
Quite unbelievable tactics by opposing D.Ss .Thick beyond belief.
Quite unbelievable tactics by opposing D.Ss .Thick beyond belief.
Movistar are clearly riding for 2nd and 3rd. Valverde is getting there at the rate of a second per stage.
SwingingPick • July 16, 2015 4:22 PM BST
"Haven't checked the records, but it seems like a Spaniard nearly always gets a stage win in the Pyrenees. Might put some work into that if I get some free time."
Yeah it's true the Spaniards always like to give it a go in the Pyrenees especially the Basque riders. Get back to us with that one though, you've got until next year because that was the last stage in the Pyrenees.
"Haven't checked the records, but it seems like a Spaniard nearly always gets a stage win in the Pyrenees. Might put some work into that if I get some free time."
Yeah it's true the Spaniards always like to give it a go in the Pyrenees especially the Basque riders. Get back to us with that one though, you've got until next year because that was the last stage in the Pyrenees.
Token efforts from Nibali , Contador & expecially Quintana showed how they and others are racing for second.
Simply do not have anymore to offer to try and pressure Froome , he has the best team and is at least a good climber as all the others.
Simply do not have anymore to offer to try and pressure Froome , he has the best team and is at least a good climber as all the others.
Jul 16, 2015 -- 10:49AM, CJ70 wrote:
Movistar are clearly riding for 2nd and 3rd. Valverde is getting there at the rate of a second per stage.
Surely Valverde wont catch TJVG for 3rd. He'd be better served going for a stage win. He is attacking and forcing Sky to chase but it's just not working because Porte and especially Thomas are just too strong at the moment.
The other riders had there chance when Froome isolated himself by attacking and dropping Thomas but no one could capitalise.
Both are quite likely to have bad days, but I was being flippant as I'm not seeing the point of these last 100m sprints.
Used to be mostly the Euskaltel team with the Spanish riders that won a few of the stages in the Pyrenees.
If Movistar think the old 1,2 will dethrone Froome time for Director Sportif to take up another sport.
That's how Valverde always races, he waits for the last 100m. That's why he has lots of 2nds and 3rds. Credit to him for throwing in some attacks but as other posters have pointed out they seem to be of token value and the 1,2 punch tactics seem unlikely to work against the Sky train.
I actually think Froome didn't look so invincible on today's stage. I think the other teams might have missed a trick by being soft and not forcing the issue on stage 11 and 12, in particular Movistar. Quintana was easily able to follow Froome's attacks and I thought toward the end Froome may have looked a touch ragged.
Froome didn't like the rain, and he can't destroy his rivals day by day, but I expect he will do it again 1 day in the Alps.
Jul 16, 2015 -- 9:49PM, nugget wrote:
That's how Valverde always races, he waits for the last 100m.
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