Tour De France Stage 12 betting tips, predictions, odds and free bets (Bourg-Saint-Maurice > Alpe d'Huez - July 19, 2018)

After a tough day on Wednesday, Stage 12 from Bourg-Saint-Maurice to Alpe d'Huez (175.5km) will be even longer and harder, with more climbing and a legendary finish on the Alpe D'Huez. This article contains our Tour De France Stage 12 betting preview, best odds, expert tips on Winner & Head to Head, bookmakers offers & no deposit free bets for all BetAndSkill readers!

 

TOUR DE FRANCE STAGE 12 BETTING PREVIEW 

The third and final Alpine stage features famous climbs: Col de la Madeleine, Croix-de-Fer and L'Alpe d'Huez.

The day begins with a downhill ride to the base of the Col de la Madeleine (25.3 kilometres at 6.2% on average). Following the descent the riders hit the short and sharp Les Lacets de Montvernier (3.4km at 8.2%) before they arrive at the base of the Col de la Croix de Fer (29km at 5.2%). The Col de la Croix de Fer average gradient is reduced by the fact the climb contains two descents. That summit is crested at km 121.

After a 30km descent comes the showpiece of the stage, Alpe d'Huez. The iconic 21 hairpins of the Alpe account for a challenging finale with 13.8 kilometres of climbing at 8.1%.

The last time the race visited the Alpe d'Huez in 2015, Thibaut Pinot ran away victor in an impressive solo ride, with Chris Froome defending his yellow jersey despite multiple attacks from Nairo Quintana.

After two hard days in the Alps, GC teams might let a breakaway filled with out-of-contention climbers stay away to the finish.

Mikel Nieve almost won at La Rosiere but we expect him to be exhausted. Same thing for Warren Barguil while Robert Gesink, David Gaudu, Darwin Atapuma, Marc Soler, Rudy Molard, Pierre Rolland and Omar Fraile are likely to be involved in the breakaway.

Rigoberto Uran has lost so much time that he’s no longer a threat to the yellow jersey. Hence, the Colombian could try to attack and win the stage.



What about GC contenders?

Geraint Thomas was the most brilliant on Wednesday, with Chris Froome not far from the Welshman. The Sky duo will try to outdistance their closest rivals once again and it could be interesting to see their strategy. Who will be the first rider to attack? Who will chase him?

Romain Bardet and Nairo Quintana, of course, will be Sky's most dangerous threats. The Frenchman looked to blow his legs on the final ascent on Stage 11 but limited the damages. The Colombian sent Alejandro Valverde out on the penultimate climb but didn't looked as brilliant as the Sky duo on the final climb.

Tom Dumoulin was the surprise package of Wednesday's stage. The Dutchman was the first to reach Valverde and finished not so far from Geraint Thomas (only 20 seconds).

Vincenzo Nibali struggled on Stage 11 but that kind of explosive stage doesn't suit the Italian, as we explained in our betting preview. Anyway, Nibali's recovering skills are renowned, so we expect him to be in the mix.

Daniel Martin is another rider to watch, even if he prefers shorter stages and gentler climbs.

Few chances for struggling riders as Adam Yates, Jakob Fuglsang, Bob Jungels, Alejandro Valverde and Bauke Mollema. They will barely allowed to escape from the peloton and don't look to have enough power to be the best climbers on the final ascent.

Interesting stats: French riders are unbeaten on the now-called Dutch mountain this decade: Pierre Rolland (2011), Christophe Riblon (2013) and Thibaut Pinot (2015).

TOUR DE FRANCE STAGE 12 ODDS

TOUR DE FRANCE STAGE 12 PREDICTIONS

• Winner
  Chris Froome3.25Bet
• Winner
  Robert Gesink41.00Bet
• Winner
  Romain Bardet26.00Bet
• Winner
  Omar Fraile151.00Bet
• Head To Head
  Gesink to beat Gaudu2.25Bet
• Head To Head
  Nibali to beat Roglic1.62Bet
• Head To Head
  Geraint Thomas to beat Quintana1.90Bet

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