Tour 2015: Stage 12 Lannemezan > Plateau de Beille
STAGE FACT
It’s 20 years since the tragic death of Italian Fabio Casartelli on the descent of the Portet d’Aspet. The race is likely to pay its respects at the start.
The third day in the Pyrenees is likely to push the eventual race winner to the fore, if not cement their position in the yellow jersey, as the peloton face their toughest summit finish thus far. The 15.8 km climb of Plateau de Beille comes at the end of 195 km that includes two category one, and one category-two climbs. With almost a week between here and the Alpine stages it represents the last chance for a week for a GC contender to gain time. If one of the big four (Contador, Froome, Nibali and Quintana) is already in yellow, expect a controlled stage right up until the final 5 kilometres. If not, it will be interesting to see who takes it on. Whichever team does will have to have complete faith in their leader and his ability to deliver on the steep final slope.
Time for a refresh
Twice before a stage in the Tour has started in Lannemezan and run down to Plateau de Beille — in 2002 and 2004. On both occasions the stage was won by Lance Armstrong, so it feels like this stage needs a fresh start. Of the 5 times a stage has finished at this little Pyrenean ski resort, Frenchman Thomas Voeckler has twice been on the podium pulling on the maillot jaune and popping the champagne. Can the erstwhile breakaway rider defy the years and grace the podium again? We doubt it, although it won’t be through want of trying.
Twice before a stage in the Tour has started in Lannemezan and run down to Plateau de Beille — in 2002 and 2004. On both occasions the stage was won by Lance Armstrong, so it feels like this stage needs a fresh start. Of the 5 times a stage has finished at this little Pyrenean ski resort, Frenchman Thomas Voeckler has twice been on the podium pulling on the maillot jaune and popping the champagne. Can the erstwhile breakaway rider defy the years and grace the podium again? We doubt it, although it won’t be through want of trying.
Toughest of three
With 47.1 km of climbing, today’s stage is the toughest of the three in the Pyrenees. Once the peloton passes through the town of Aspet after 42 km, the rest of the day they will either be climbing or descending. Expect to see a fast start too. The intermediate sprint is 20 km in and the sprinters’ teams will want to keep it together at least until then. If a break doesn’t get up the road straight after the sprint, expect it to form on the lower slopes of the Col de Portet d’Aspet. Any polka-dot challengers will have to be in the day’s break with 25 points on offer, before the final climb is contested.
With 47.1 km of climbing, today’s stage is the toughest of the three in the Pyrenees. Once the peloton passes through the town of Aspet after 42 km, the rest of the day they will either be climbing or descending. Expect to see a fast start too. The intermediate sprint is 20 km in and the sprinters’ teams will want to keep it together at least until then. If a break doesn’t get up the road straight after the sprint, expect it to form on the lower slopes of the Col de Portet d’Aspet. Any polka-dot challengers will have to be in the day’s break with 25 points on offer, before the final climb is contested.
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