Alaphilippe to defend the yellow jersey at the Tourmalet

It’s the third stage finish atop the gruelling Tourmalet, the most visited climb of the Tour de France. The winner up there, at the altitude of 2115 metres, will succeed to Jean-Pierre Danguillaume in 1974 and Andy Schleck in 2010. This is the first big battle of the Pyrenees following the confirmation of Julian Alaphilippe as the race leader after his amazing victory against the clock in Pau. Three riders who lost a significant amount of time in the crosswinds on stage 11 rode a very strong time trial: Rigoberto Uran (4th), Richie Porte (5th) and Thibaut Pinot (7th). They’re hungry for more and the high mountains are their favourite terrain. Three Colombians are in the top 10 overall: Egan Bernal who is now clearly the second option of Team Ineos as he’s 1’26’’ behind Geraint Thomas, Uran and Nairo Quintana. They’re expected to fire up the first hilltop finish of the 106th Tour de France.