The 2012 Tour de France has one last mountain stage left to throw at its cyclists, and on Thursday Stage 17 will send the riders through the Pyrenees once more. The course sends them from Bagnères-de-Luchon to Peyragudes, a short 143.5 kilometers.
Thomas Voeckler picked up the Stage 16 victory on Wednesday with a dominating performance in the Pyrenees. He will certainly be one rider to watch as the race develops on Thursday. There are five categorized climbs that will challenge the riders. The first climb comes at the Col de Menté, a 9.3 kilometer climb that comes at the 27.5 kilometer. This is a Category 1 climb and offers a 9.1 percent gradient. The next two climbs come at Col des Ares and Côte de Burs, separated by 20 kilometers.
Port de Bales comes in as an hors catégorie, an unclassifiable climb. The 11.7 kilometer climb comes with a 7.7 percent gradient. The race to the finish features the Plateau de Peyragudes, a 15.4 kilometer climb to the finish line.
Start time: 4:55 a.m. MT
Estimated finish time: 8:59 a.m. MT
TV Coverage: 5:30 a.m. MT, NBC Sports Network
SB Nation Denver is your source for 2012 Tour de France updates on Team Garmin-Sharp, and be sure to visit cycling blog Podium Cafe as well.
