Stage 12 - Montpellier - Castres (178.5km)
COURSE: This stage is similar to the one from Narbonne to Toulouse in 2003 that went to the Spanish racer Juan AntonioFlecha, who made a late attack from a breakaway group.
Look for a repeat on this similar course that heads through the hills on the southern edge of the Massif Central. The Cat. 2 Montée de la Jeante climbs to over 3000 feet and is followed by 40km of winding back roads before the fast 8km run-in to Castres.
HISTORY: Just one Tour stage has finished at Castres, in 1991, when Italian Bruno Cenghialta won stage 14 from St. Gaudens out of a seven-man break that fi nished a minute ahead of the pack. Castres is an ancient town of 45,000 on the Agout River about an hour east of Toulouse. FAVORITES: This stage is one that could suit riders who are either defending a break for their team leaders (such as Predictor-Lotto’s Horner) or a non-climber trying to get a win for his team before the upcoming time trial and three mountain stages.
Riders falling in to this category include Juan Mercado (Agritubel), Alessandro Ballan (Lampre) and Flecha (Rabobank).
