TDF 2024:- Stage 12: Aurillac – Villeneuve-sur-Lot, 203.6km ***Spoilers***
Stage 12: Aurillac – Villeneuve-sur-Lot, 203.6km
July 11th
Start Time: 11-35BST.
Although classified flat there are plenty of hills in the first half of the route, including the Côte de Rocamadour. That characteristic of the parcours should give a breakaway a chance. The total climbing on the stage is 2,200m. The sprinters' teams will be looking to catch the breakaway riders in the flatter second half of the stage, to set up a bunch sprint in Villeneuve-sur-Lot.
The riders clip into their pedals in Aurillac. The small town on the River Jordanne was included fourteen times in the Tour de france. The last visis dates from 2011, when the 10th stage went Aurillac to Jussac, where André Greipel took the spoils.
Erik Dekker is the most recent Tour de France stage winner in Villeneuve-sur-Lot. In 2000, the Dutchman arrived solo to win the first of his four stages in Le Tour.
Profile.
Map.
The Climbs.
Côte d'Autoire
Côte de Rocamadour
Côte de Montcléra
Final Kilometres.
![stage-12-route-finale[1].jpg](https://forum.bikeradar.com/uploads/0NKNDCAVMXX3/stage-12-route-finale-5b1-5d.jpg)
![stage-12-profile-finale[1].jpg](https://forum.bikeradar.com/uploads/C7HCDEASZABX/stage-12-profile-finale-5b1-5d.jpg)
At 11 kilometres from the finish, there’s a 2.6 kilometres climb at 2.7%. Then it’s downhill to the flat final 5 kilometres.
What to Expect.
Sprinters are expected to suffer in the first 135 kilometres of the race, as there are several climbs to conquer. The route remains undulating thereafter, but the toughest uphill sections are over. So, it’s likely that teams with strong sprinters will take charge and set a pace their fast men can just about handle. However, on two previous and similar stages into Villeneuve-sur-Lot, the breakaway managed to hold off its pursuers.
Aurillac
Stage town for the 9th time
Prefecture of Cantal (15)
Population: 26,000
AURILLAC AND CYCLING
Aurillac has hosted the Tour de France on eight occasions, six of them finishes, the last in 2008, when Luis Leon Sanchez broke clear in the final toe claim the first of his four victories in the event in twelve appearances. The last two winners in town have also been Spanish, with Eduardo Chozas clinching victory in 1985. For the Tour's last visit to the Cantal prefecture in 2011, the race took the route to Carmaux, where André Greipel won in a bunch sprint.
Specialities: cantal, Auvergne cheeses, Couderc gentian liqueur, charcuterie, pounti, potée auvergnate, Salers meat.
Pounti
This speciality from Auvergne is the epitome of the complete one-dish meal, containing meat, vegetables and fruit and a discreet mix of salt and sugar. It's also an economical dish, making good use of leftovers and, as such, was best served with the evening meal. It is a pâté (baked in a terrine or casserole) made from wheat (or rye) flour mixed with eggs and milk, chard leaves, bacon and prunes. It is usually eaten cold or lightly fried in slices, accompanied by a salad. It can also be used to accompany poultry. It can also be pan-fried in the form of small patties, similar to farçous.
Villeneuve-sur-Lot
Stage town for the third time.
Sub-prefecture of Lot-et-Garonne.
Population: 21,800
VILLENEUVE-SUR-LOT AND CYCLING
Villeneuve-sur-Lot has twice been visited by the Tour de France, in 1996 and 2000. In the latter year, it was Erik Dekker who raised his arms, and the least that can be said is that he deserved it, having already spent 427 km in breakaways since the start of the Tour. He went on to win two more stages in this edition. In 1996, victory went to veteran Italian Massimo Podenzana, 35, twice Italian champion, but taking part in only his second Tour de France.
Specialities: cèpe du Périgord (mushroom), tourtière (cake), chasselas of Moissac (grape), Agen prunes, white garlic from Lomagne.
- Local producers' market
In summer, Villeneuve-sur-Lot's evening gourmet events take advantage of the shady setting of the Place de l'Amiral Courbet. From one stand to the next, you can put together your own gourmet plate. A host of local producers will be on hand to offer their meats, fruit and vegetables, a variety of desserts, wines and beers... All in a festive atmosphere, with live music every time.
Comments
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Could be wet mid stage. Another frustrating one where the wind direction looks like being perfect but the speed is too light
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This is the way to ride it......
“You may think that; I couldn’t possibly comment!”
Wilier Cento Uno SR/Wilier Mortirolo/Specialized Roubaix Comp/Kona Hei Hei/Calibre Bossnut0 -
Sorry, wrong thread.
“You may think that; I couldn’t possibly comment!”
Wilier Cento Uno SR/Wilier Mortirolo/Specialized Roubaix Comp/Kona Hei Hei/Calibre Bossnut0 -
Now looks as if it may be wet in Aurillac and the first part of the stage, but sunny and hot later.
"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0 -
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Mørkøv DNS with Covid
Really hope we're not going to see a decimated peloton, I'm not sure how seriously teams are taking protection
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Quite possibly just as well Cav got his win when he did.
The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
I am not sure. You have no chance.Veronese68 wrote:PB is the most sensible person on here.0 -
What a sh!t way to finish your final Tour.
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Real shame about Mrkv. Wonder if he'd have climbed off if there wasn't such a gap to the lanterne?
Hope it doesn't have a major effect on this tour at the other end, given how good the racing has been. I did wonder about Fred Wright, tbh, as his symptoms sounded a bit covidy.
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I think there was mention in the first few days that it was about and more people were masking up and I saw a shot of one of the team cars in the last couple of days where they were all masked.
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Jonas is under instructruction from none other than George Clinton today
Having proved he had the proverbials yesterday, George says:
Put a hump in your back,
Shake your sac in Aurillac,
And ride on
Let's take a ride
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Covid was mentioned in relation to Pello Bilbao's collapse, yesterday.
"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0 -
For now, the weather looks decent. Certainly not cold.
"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0 -
Pog is likely well immune to COVID right now ...no doubt vaxxed and natural immunity from recent bout ....
"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0 -
Fabio ill
"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0 -
Jakobsen already out the back. He doesn't seem to have learned from Wright's long range efforts for the lanterne.
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Wanty putting rider up the road
Makes sense
"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0 -
Jakobsen a minute down already
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He should climb off
"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0 -
Jakobsen isn't long for this race.
"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0 -
Active ...wanty making it hard
"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0 -
Yep, I'm not sure why he has stayed this long to be honest as he's plainly nowhere near form and it feels like he is highly unlikely to make it through the mountains.
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You keep going hoping you get better I guess ....
Worth a stab
"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0 -
Crash.
Pogacar involved
"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0 -
Bit of a bundle
"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0 -
Chute. Pog down (?) but riding on a new bike
Jakobsen gets off, thankfully. Good effort, but the writing on the wall for days now
Warning No formatter is installed for the format0 -
Good time to attack
"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0 -
Crash that took down quite a few including Pog (seems fine) and Thomas (he was due one) . One rider looking quite hurt.
Jakobsen quits.
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Alpecin rider hurt
"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0 -
Jakobsen calls it a day
"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0
