Normally the stage would have finished at the summit of the ‘Bald Mountain’. But winds in excess of 100 kph have forced the organisation to relocate the finish line to Chalet Reynard, 6 kilometres under the top. Yet, the climb still instills fear with an average gradient of 9% in 10 kilometres.
After leaving Montpellier the route is on flat to rollings roads until the foot of Mont Ventoux. The first 112 kilometres are almost entirely flat, while undulating roads welcome the riders after they entered the Vaucluse region. KOM points are for grabs at Cote de Gordes (4 kilometres at 4.8%) and Col de Croix Termes (2.5 kilometres at 7.5%).
After cresting Croix Termes it’s 26.5 kilometres left to the foot of Mont Ventoux.
In 2013, a group of escapees powered at high speeds to the foot of the The Bald Mountain, but then Chris Froome took control. He blew away the competition in mistral winds style. The Briton put half a minute into Quintana and 1’40” into Contador.
Starting in Bedoin the first 5 kilometres are not officially part of the climb, yet they come with a grade at 5%. Let’s say this is the warm up before the going gets tough near the church of Saint Esteve with a 10 kilometres climb through the infamous forest. The first 3 kilometres go up at average grades of 9 to 10%, while the following 7 kilometres are on slopes at 7.5% or more.
The first three riders on the line take time bonuses at 10, 6 and 4 seconds.
Results/race report 12th stage, 2016 Tour de France
Tour de France 2016 stage 12: Route maps, height profiles, etc.
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The decision was correct in maintaining Chris Froome as leader however the 18 seconds given to Chris Froome should also be given to Richie Porte as he was leading Froome at the time of the disaster