After several tough climbs to reach Luz-Ardiden, cyclists in the 2011 Tour de France will move to Pau for Friday's segment. Still in the Pyrenees, Stage 13 won't feature as many tough climbs as Stage 12 did, but the Col d'Aubisque does await the riders well into the course.
The 152.5 km (95 mi) course relatively quickly before a Category 3 climb at Cuqueron (43.5 km) and a Category 4 climb at Belair (65.0 km) start to test the riders. But the real challenge comes at Aubisque at 110 km, a Category H climb. The riders will ascend 16.4 km to 7.1 percent before ultimately making a steady descent to about 400 m, the elevation at the finish line in Lourdes. A sprint comes in between Belair and Aubisque.
Stage 12 winner Samuel Sanchez took the King of the Mountains red polka dot jersey as a result of his riding on Wednesday and holds an eight-point lead over Jelle Vanendert (40-32). Thomas Voeckler retained the yellow jersey, while American Tom Danielson moved into the top 10 at ninth overall. He is 4:35 behind Voeckler.
VERSUS returns to its normal start time with coverage beginning at 6 a.m. MT.
For in-depth coverage of the race, visit out cycling blog, Podium Cafe, and our SB Nation StoryStream.
After several tough climbs to reach Luz-Ardiden, cyclists in the 2011 Tour de France will move to Pau for Friday's segment. Still in the Pyrenees, Stage 13 won't feature as many tough climbs as Stage 12 did, but the Col d'Aubisque does await the riders well into the course.
The 152.5 km (95 mi) course relatively quickly before a Category 3 climb at Cuqueron (43.5 km) and a Category 4 climb at Belair (65.0 km) start to test the riders. But the real challenge comes at Aubisque at 110 km, a Category H climb. The riders will ascend 16.4 km to 7.1 percent before ultimately making a steady descent to about 400 m, the elevation at the finish line in Lourdes. A sprint comes in between Belair and Aubisque.
Stage 12 winner Samuel Sanchez took the King of the Mountains red polka dot jersey as a result of his riding on Wednesday and holds an eight-point lead over Jelle Vanendert (40-32). Thomas Voeckler retained the yellow jersey, while American Tom Danielson moved into the top 10 at ninth overall. He is 4:35 behind Voeckler.
VERSUS returns to its normal start time with coverage beginning at 6 a.m. MT.
For in-depth coverage of the race, visit out cycling blog, Podium Cafe, and our SB Nation StoryStream.