Stage 12 – Preview Tour de France 2024

Another opportunity for the sprinters comes in the 203.6 km stage from Aurillac to Villeneuve-sur-Lot. While the stage includes 2,200 meters of climbing, most of this is in the early part of Stage 12. As the riders approach Villeneuve-sur-Lot, the terrain flattens out, causing the breakaway group’s lead to diminish significantly.

Stage 12 | 11 July | Aurillac to Villeneuve-sur-Lot | 203.6 km | 2,200 m elevation gain

The last stage over 200 kilometers in this Tour takes the riders from Aurillac to Villeneuve-sur-Lot. The first 40 kilometers are hilly, followed by a descent into Saint-Céré. From there, the peloton heads over La Ségarie to the first categorized climb of the day, the Côte d’Autoire. This fourth-category climb is 2.7 kilometers long with an average gradient of 5.9 percent.

The route then continues hilly to the Côte de Rocamadour (2.1 kilometers at 5.5 percent). The stage progresses over small uncategorized ramps and hills to the sprint point in Gourdon at kilometer 100. In the second half, the only significant obstacle is the Côte de Montcléra, a 2-kilometer climb with an average gradient of 4.6 percent. The last 70 kilometers are mostly flat, leading to Villeneuve-sur-Lot.

In the final five kilometers, there are four turns and three roundabouts. Just before the flamme rouge, there is a straight final stretch of approximately 1,100 meters.

Favorites Check: Stage Win and Yellow Jersey

Stage 12 is highly likely to culminate in a mass sprint. In Villeneuve-sur-Lot, it’s not just about the stage win but also the battle for the Green Jersey. Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck), buoyed by his victory on Stage 10, has the confidence to challenge Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Wanty) in this and the upcoming sprint stages.

The heavier sprinters used up a lot of energy on Stage 11 to make the time cut. The question is whether they still have the freshness and explosiveness needed in the second week to muster all their power after over 200 kilometers.

Pascal Ackermann (Israel-Premier Tech) is a rider edging closer to a win. The German seems to grow stronger as the race progresses, and his sprint train is now better coordinated.

Stage 12 Classifications

Sprint Points

• Gourdon | Kilometer 100

King of the Mountains

• Côte d’Autoire | Category 4 | Kilometer 62.8
• Côte de Rocamadour | Category 4 | Kilometer 84.3
• Côte de Montcléra | Category 4 | Kilometer 135.5