Stage 12 of the Tour de France covers 226 kilometers and takes the field from Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne to Annonay Davézieux. The riders will face two big climbs in the first half of the stage: the Col du Grand Cucheron, which begins at about the 20-kilometer mark and the Col du Granier which begins not long after the riders descend from Col du Grand Cucheron.
"Yet another strategic stage, one which could tip the balance in the points classification on its own. Why? Because we have adorned the first part of this long stage (226 km) with the Col de Grand Cucheron and the Col du Granier. The latter will be climbed on its most difficult side. A high pace will knock out the sprinters, favouring riders who are fast and capable of hanging onto the bunch on climbs. We will insist that time limits be applied strictly, so I bet many riders will get fidgety, and some of them will not forget the finish in Annonay any time soon..."
Related: Tour de France 2012 Standings: Bradley Wiggins Continues To Lead The Pack
For additional details on Stage 12, including maps, visit the Tour website.
Coverage of this stage begins at 5:30 a.m. CT on the NBC Sports Network.
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