After the difficulty of the previous day, stage 12 will seem like a gentle roll over a couple of cat 2 climbs and some smaller cols after two intermediate sprints early in the stage. The King of the Mountains jersey competition will most likely feature on this day, and after his stage victory on a similar stage at the Tour de Suisse, Davitamon-Lotto's Axel Merckx may well feel he's in with a chance of picking up a Tour stage win. The riders then say goodbye to the Alps as they head over a couple of flat stages, where the Pyrenees await them, ready to split the field even more.
Thank you for reading 5 articles in the past 30 days*
Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read any 5 articles for free in each 30-day period, this automatically resets
After your trial you will be billed £4.99 $7.99 €5.99 per month, cancel anytime. Or sign up for one year for just £49 $79 €59
Join now for unlimited access
Try your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
-
As it happened: Alaphilippe beats Carapaz to Critérium du Dauphiné stage 2 win
Frenchman has fastest sprint to the line on hilly 167.5km stage -
Critérium du Dauphiné: Julian Alaphilippe sprints to victory on stage 2
Frenchman beats Carapaz and Tesfatsion in draggy finish -
Six things I learned testing gravel shoes
Key notes on fit, function, upkeep, and style -
British bike brand Planet X set to enter administration, official documents suggest
35-year-old company files notice of intention to appoint administrators as Brexit and post-pandemic downturn continue to bite
