Tour de France Stage 12 Preview

THURSDAY, JULY 14TH – STAGE 12 – 184km

Montpellier / Mont Ventoux

Profile Montpellier / Mont Ventoux 184KM

Mountain passes & hills Montpellier / Mont Ventoux 184KM

Km 131.5 – Côte de Gordes3.3 kilometre-long climb at 4.8% – category 4

Km 135.5 – Col des Trois Termes2.5 kilometre-long climb at 7.5% – category 3

Km 184.0 – MONT VENTOUX (1 912 m)15.7 kilometre-long climb at 8.8% – category H

Intermediate sprint Montpellier / Mont Ventoux 184KM

Km 102.5 – MOLLÉGÈS-GARE

Last km Montpellier / Mont Ventoux 184KM

The Start:

Montpellier

Thanks to the Tour de France, Montpellier has a special relationship with Africa. In 2007, Robert Hunter had become, thanks to his sprint victory, the first African stage winner on the Tour. Six years later, at the same place, his compatriot Daryl Impey would write another prestigious page of Tour history by becoming the first African to capture the Yellow Jersey.

Stage town for the 32nd time
Prefecture of the Hérault (34)
434,000 inhabitants within the 31 communes comprising the Montpellier Méditerranée metropolitan areaEconomy: Technological development in several sectors (health, digital technology, transport and mobility, economic development, tourism and industry, agro-ecology and food, culture, commerce and local crafts). Fifth place nationally in the field of research, first place nationally for the agronomy campus, an internationally renowned medical school, health sector and cutting-edge pharmaceutical industries, support for start-upsCulture: Saint-Pierre et Saint-Paul de Maguelone Cathedral at Villeneuvelès- Maguelone (12th century), Château de Castries (17th century), Fabre Museum in Montpellier, Henri Prades Museum in Lattes

Sport: Facilities: Stade de la Mosson (football), Altrad Stadium-Yves du Manoir Sports Complex, Antigone Olympic swimming pool. Events: Jumping national (show jumping), Festikite (international kite festival), Urban trail nocturne

Specialities: Mediterranean cuisine, AOC Languedoc wines (Grés de Montpellier and Cru Pic Saint Loup), Pic Saint-Loup cheese

Sustainable development: Good management of public spaces, preservation of natural areas and agricultural land, public oversight of environmental wellbeing, encompassing the region’s heritage and natural resources from the garrigues (Midi scrubland) to the coast

Distinctions: French Tech award for supporting start-ups, “Region for Growth” within the Plan Énergie Climat Territorial 2013-2018 that tackles climate and energy issues

The Finish:

Mont Ventoux

Appeared on the Tour in 1951, the Giant of Provence welcomed a first stage finish in 1958 after a time-trial that allowed Charly Gaul to build on his future Tour success. For the first finish of a normal stage, Raymond Poulidor triumphed in 1965 without however managing to take the Yellow Jersey from Felice Gimondi’s shoulders. In 2013, the man wearing yellow was even more untouchable: Chris Froome’s stage win remains as one of his best ever days on a bike.

Stage finish for the 10th time ¾ Summit (1,912m) in the Vaucluse (84)
562,000 inhabitants in the Vaucluse

Economy: Food processing industry, agriculture, tourism, construction and public works, trade

Culture: The Ventoux, nicknamed ‘the Giant of Provence’ or ‘the Bald Mountain’, has always been a source of inspiration for poets and scientists (Petrarch, René Char, Jean-Henri Fabre…). It is still celebrated today by the Ventoux Association of Arts and Crafts, the Carnets du Ventoux review, and the Festival Ventoux Saveurs (food, flora and cultural festival)

Sport: Two ski stations (Mont Serein and Chalet Reynard), 21 cycling routes. Events: Paris-Nice, Critérium du Dauphiné, Tour cycliste féminin international de l’Ardèche, qualifying event for the GFNY (Gran Fondo New York, an American cyclosportive), Bédoin-Ventoux half-marathon

Specialities: Ventoux pork, Sault lamb, olive oil, einkorn wheat, cherries, figs, olives, strawberries from Carpentras, muscat grapes, wine (Côtes du Rhône and Côtes du Ventoux)

Sustainable development: Unique biodiversity (more than 1,000 species of plants and exceptional fauna)

Distinctions: UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Natura 2000 site

Slogan: “You’re not mad if you climb the Ventoux, but you are if you go back there” (Provençal proverb)