We will ride one of our favourite climbs in the area, Port de Balès. It starts off gentle, helping us get into the groove and as the trees disappear the road steepens, the final 5km is consistently near 10%.
Port du Balès and a mountain stage Today we’ll ride a climb that was only recently added the Tour. Until recently the upper portion of the road was gravel, little more than a farm road. However, the Tour seeking for new challenges, an asphalt surface was added to the summit of Port de Balès and …
Port du Balès and a mountain stage
Today we’ll ride a climb that was only recently added the Tour. Until recently the upper portion of the road was gravel, little more than a farm road. However, the Tour seeking for new challenges, an asphalt surface was added to the summit of Port de Balès and it was included in 2010. The inaugural visit saw the serial stage winner Thomas Voeckler reach the summit first and since then the Tour visits the climb every other year.
It is one of our favourite climbs in the area. It starts off gentle, helping us get into the groove and as the trees disappear the road steepens, the final 5km is consistently near 10%. We’ll stop for lunch on the descent before intersecting with Col du Peyresourde and joining the race route of today’s stage. You can head up the Peyresourde to get a prie position. Once the road is open, descend back through Bagnères de Luchon and watch today’s finish. Tonight is our last night in Luchon and you are free to have dinner in town at one of the local restaurants.
TODAY IN THE RACE
Stage 12: Toulouse to Bagnères-de-Bigorre, Mountain, 202 kmA mountain stage more than 200 km! Welcome to the Pyrenees. Riders will leave from “ville rose” with the imminent mountains ahead. Two familiar climbs on today’s course will return our focus toward the race favourites. Col du Peyresourde will make the selection before the twisty ascent of Hourquette d’Ancizan tightens the screws and then a fast descent to the finish line in the thermal spa town. Perhaps a new yellow jersey leader?