What type of stage is Tour de France Stage 12?

Stage 12 is the first real mountain stage with an HC (Hors Catégorie) summit finish at Hautacam, featuring 3,850m of climbing over 181km.

Who won stage 12 of the tour de france previously?

Jonas Vingegaard won at Hautacam in 2022, securing his yellow jersey. Other winners include Nibali (2014) and Riis (1996).

Where is stage 12 tour de france?

Stage 12 runs from Auch in the Gers department to the summit of Hautacam ski station in the Pyrenees.

Who will win stage 12 tour de france?

GC favorites Pogačar (35%) and Vingegaard (30%) are the top picks, with Evenepoel (15%) and breakaway specialists (20%) also having chances.

Tour de France Stage 12 - Auch to Hautacam Mountain Stage

FIRST HC SUMMIT FINISH

181km with 3,850m climbing - The real Tour begins at Hautacam!

Stage 12 At A Glance

Difficulty: 5/5 stars | Distance: 181km Auch to Hautacam | GC Impact: Major

Key Climb: Hautacam HC - 13.5km at 7.8% | Expected Winner: GC favorite or strong climber

Start Time: 13:10 CEST | Elevation: 3,850m total | Finish Type: Summit at 1,520m

Stage 12 Quick Facts

Date: Thursday, July 17, 2025 | Distance: 181 km | Type: Mountain Stage | Start: 13:10 CEST

Stage 12 marks the first true mountain test of the 2025 Tour with a summit finish at Hautacam. After 120km of relatively flat roads through the Gers countryside, the race explodes with 61km of relentless climbing. The legendary Hautacam has witnessed epic battles, including Jonas Vingegaard's 2022 victory that secured his first yellow jersey.

Stage 12 Elevation Profile

Source: Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO)

Mountain Stage Profile Breakdown

Distance: 181 km
Elevation Gain: 3,850m

Categorized Climbs: 3
HC Summit Finish: Hautacam

Highest Point: 1,520m
Average Gradient: 7.8%

All Categorized Climbs

Col du Soulor via Ferrières (Cat 1): 11.8km at 7.3% - km 121.5
Col de Bordères (Cat 3): 3.1km at 8.1% - km 153.5
Hautacam (HC): 13.5km at 7.8% - km 167.5 to finish

Stage 12 Climbing Analysis

Early Phase (0-120km): Flat roads through Gers, breakaway formation

Mountain Phase (120-167km): Col du Soulor begins the selection

Summit Finish (167-181km): Hautacam HC climb for GC battle

Total Climbing: 3,850m concentrated in final 60km

Test your climbing power with our FTP test and VO2max assessment.

Why Hautacam Decides Tours

The Numbers: 13.5km at 7.8% average (max 10.2%)

Power Required: 6.2-6.8 W/kg for 35-38 minutes

GC Impact: Expect 30 seconds to 2 minute gaps

Altitude Effect: Finish at 1,520m adds physiological stress

Stage 12 Route Map

Source: Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO)

Route Highlights

Start: Auch - Capital of Gascony, historic center
Neutralized Zone: 6.5km through Auch streets
Flat Section: 120km through Gers countryside
Mountain Entry: Lourdes marks transition to Pyrenees
Key Towns: Mirande, Trie-sur-Baïse, Tournay, Argelès-Gazost
Finish: Hautacam ski station summit at 1,520m

Pyrenean Mountain Passage

Terrain Change: Abrupt transition at km 120
Valley Roads: Wide, well-surfaced throughout
Feed Zone: Tournay at km 90 before mountains
Technical Descents: Col du Soulor requires caution
Final Approach: No descent after Hautacam - summit finish
Spectator Areas: Limited access on final climb

Regional Highlights

Auch Heritage: D'Artagnan's birthplace, Armagnac capital

Pyrenean Culture: Tour enters Occitan-speaking regions

Lourdes Passage: Famous pilgrimage site at mountain base

Hautacam Resort: Ski station developed for winter sports

Previous Finishes: 6 Tour stages since 1994

Hautacam - The GC Battleground

Climb Statistics

Category: HC (Hors Catégorie) | Length: 13.5km | Average Gradient: 7.8%

Maximum Gradient: 10.2% | Elevation Gain: 1,054m | Summit: 1,520m altitude

Hautacam Sector Analysis

The Climb in Detail

km 0-3: 7.5% average - steady opening establishes rhythm
km 3-6: 7.2% average - false flat provides brief respite
km 6-7: 10.2% maximum - the selection point
km 7-10: 8.1% average - sustained suffering zone
km 10-13.5: 8.5% average - attacks fly to the line

Historical Winners at Hautacam

Year	Winner	Climbing Time	Average Speed	Race Impact
2022	Jonas Vingegaard	33:45	24.0 km/h	Secured yellow jersey
2014	Vincenzo Nibali	34:12	23.7 km/h	Extended GC lead
2008	Leonardo Piepoli	35:28	22.8 km/h	Later disqualified
2000	Javier Otxoa	36:09	22.4 km/h	Breakaway victory
1996	Bjarne Riis	34:38	23.4 km/h	Dominant in yellow
1994	Luc Leblanc	37:51	21.4 km/h	French glory

Power Analysis for Hautacam

GC Contenders

Power: 6.2-6.8 W/kg
Duration: 33-36 minutes
VAM: 1,750-1,850m/h

Domestiques

Power: 5.8-6.2 W/kg
Duration: 36-40 minutes
Exhaustion: km 8-10

Gruppetto

Power: 4.5-5.0 W/kg
Time Loss: 15-25 minutes
Cut-off Risk: Low

Tactical Considerations

Attack Zones: km 6-7 (steepest) and final 3km
Team Tactics: Burn matches on Col du Soulor first
Weather Impact: Afternoon heat in valleys, cool at summit
Tomorrow's TT: Can't go too deep, recovery matters

Stage 12 Time Schedule

Time (CEST)	Event	Location
11:10	Team Buses Arrive	Auch Start Area
12:10	Rider Sign-in	Start Village
13:10	STAGE START	Auch
13:46	Through Mirande	Km 25.5
14:37	Through Trie-sur-Baïse	Km 58
15:25	Feed Zone	Tournay - Km 90
16:30	Col du Soulor Summit	Km 133.3
16:54	Argelès-Gazost	Km 149
17:05	Col de Bordères Summit	Km 156.6
17:15	Hautacam Begins	Km 167.5
17:32	SUMMIT FINISH	Hautacam

How to Watch Stage 12

TV Coverage: Live from 14:30 CEST
Key Viewing: 16:30 CEST for Col du Soulor
GC Battle: 17:15-17:32 CEST on Hautacam
Helicopter Shots: Spectacular Pyrenean vistas
Analysis Focus: First real GC showdown

Mountain Timeline Prediction

13:10: Calm start, immediate breakaway attempts
13:30: Large break forms (15-20 riders)
15:00: Break lead stabilizes at 4-5 minutes
16:00: GC teams increase pace before Soulor
16:30: Selection on Col du Soulor
17:00: Positioning battle for Hautacam
17:20: GC attacks begin on steepest sections
17:32: First major time gaps of 2025 Tour

Expected Winning Time

Estimated Time: 4h22m (averaging 41.4 km/h)

Hautacam Ascent: 33-36 minutes for winner

Time Gaps: 30 seconds to 2 minutes between GC riders

Stage 12 GC Battle Tactics

First Mountain Test

GC Impact: Major - first real climbing showdown

Hautacam History: Always produces significant gaps
Tomorrow's Factor: Mountain TT prevents full recovery
Team Depth: Crucial for controlling early climbs
Yellow Jersey: Could change hands today

Team Strategies

UAE Team Emirates

Leader: Pogačar
Tactic: Explosive attacks
Target: Final 5km of Hautacam

Jumbo-Visma

Leader: Vingegaard
Tactic: Steady tempo
Strength: Team depth

Soudal Quick-Step

Leader: Evenepoel
Tactic: Defensive
Goal: Limit losses

Victory Predictions

Stage 12 Winner Analysis

Tadej Pogačar: 35% - explosive climbing suits Hautacam
Jonas Vingegaard: 30% - 2022 winner, knows the climb
Remco Evenepoel: 15% - first big mountain test
Breakaway Specialist: 20% - if given enough rope

GC Battle Scenarios

Early Break Dynamics

Composition: 15-20 riders including KOM hunters
Maximum Gap: 5-6 minutes at Tournay feed zone
Catch Point: Base of Hautacam or earlier
Key Names: Bardet, Ciccone, Meintjes types

Col du Soulor Action

UAE Strategy: Burn off Jumbo domestiques
Jumbo Response: Keep powder dry for Hautacam
Selection: Peloton reduced to 40-50 riders
Dropped Riders: Pure sprinters, weaker climbers

Hautacam Showdown

Opening 5km: Teams control, establish tempo
km 6-7 (10% section): First GC accelerations
Final 3km: All-out war between favorites
Time Gaps: 30 seconds to 2 minutes likely

Fantasy Cycling Strategy

Captain Pick: Jonas Vingegaard - Hautacam specialist
Value Pick: Jai Hindley - strong in long climbs
Differential: Guillaume Martin - French motivation
Avoid: Time trialists and sprinters
KOM Points: Major haul available (HC finish)

Budget Strategy: Target pure climbers over all-rounders

Physiology of HC Mountain Climbing

Stage 12 Physiological Demands

Hautacam Power: 380-450W for 35-38 minutes (6.2-6.8 W/kg)
VO2max Utilization: 85-92% for entire final climb
Lactate Threshold: At or above LT2 for 30+ minutes
Core Temperature: Can exceed 39°C despite altitude
Altitude Effect: 3-5% power reduction at 1,520m
Energy Systems: 95% aerobic, 5% anaerobic for attacks

Training for HC Climbs

To excel on climbs like Hautacam:

Threshold Work: 3x20min at 95% FTP
VO2max Intervals: 5x5min at 110-120% FTP
Long Climbs: 60-90min steady efforts
Altitude Training: 3-4 weeks at 2000m+
Heat Adaptation: Sauna protocol 3x/week

Test your climbing readiness with our FTP test and lactate threshold assessment.

Stage 12 Mountain Nutrition Strategy

Fueling for 3,850m of Climbing

Carbohydrate Intake: 90-120g per hour
Fluid Intake: 1000-1250ml per hour
Pre-Climb Loading: 60g carbs 30 minutes before Soulor
Hautacam Fueling: Liquid calories only
Caffeine Strategy: 200mg before final climb

Mountain-Specific Considerations

Glycogen Depletion: 3,850m climbing burns 3000+ calories
Altitude Hydration: Increased fluid needs above 1000m
Temperature Variation: 32°C valleys to 18°C summit
Recovery Focus: Tomorrow's mountain TT looms

Learn more about mountain stage nutrition and altitude fueling strategies.

Other Mountain Stages

Compare Stage 12 to other mountain challenges:

Stage 10: Puy de Sancy - First mountain stage
Stage 13: Peyragudes TT - Mountain time trial
Stage 14: Superbagnères - Another Pyrenean test
Stage 16: Mont Ventoux - The Giant of Provence
Stage 18: Col de la Loze - Alpine summit

Unique Factor: Hautacam's consistent gradient and Tour history make it the perfect GC battleground!

Mountain Stage Evolution

Modern Climbing: Faster ascent times despite controls
Team Tactics: Sky/Jumbo train changed everything
Power Meters: Precise pacing replaces feel
Nutrition: 120g/hour carbs now standard

Tour de France 2025 Complete Guide - All stages and analysis
Tour de France Winners List - Historical champions
FTP Test - Climbing power assessment
VO2max Test - Aerobic capacity measure
Climbing Nutrition - Fueling for mountains
Climbing Training - Build mountain strength

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