Tour De France 2015: Route Location, TV Schedule and Live Stream for Stage 12

A third consecutive day of climbing in the mountains awaits the riders competing in the 2015 Tour de France, with a brutal Stage 12 looming on Thursday.

The competitors will head from Lannemezan to Plateau de Beille over 195 kilometres, on a stretch rife with punishing climbs. It’s a super-category, mountaintop finish for the riders, preceded by two first-category inclines, meaning we’re likely to see the men at the forefront of the general classification battle leading the way once again.

Peter Dejong/Associated Press

Will Team Sky and Chris Froome extend what is already a sizeable advantage in the race for the yellow jersey? Or will these arduous ascents be the platform for a challenge as Paris creeps closer into view?

Here’s all the key viewing details for the stage and a closer look at how the action might play out.

Date: Thursday, July 16

Time: 5:10 a.m. (ET), 4:10 a.m. (CT), 10:10 (BST)

Live Stream: ITV Player (UK)

TV Info: ITV 4 (UK), Eurosport (UK)

Critical Stage 12 for Chasing Pack

Laurent Cipriani/Associated Press

After inclines on Stage 10 and Stage 11 provided some fascinating insight into which man is likely to win the maillot jaune this year, this run to the summit of Plateau de Beille could be the most significant of the tour in separating the pretenders from the contenders.

There are four climbs for the riders to negotiate. First it’s a second grade, but extremely steep run to Portet d’Aspet, and then first grade inclines to Col de la Core and Port de Lers. The final climb will be the most difficult for the riders involved, in what’s a relatively straight but unerringly steep 15-kilometre super-category run to the finish.

Here’s a look at the stage profile, per Melissa Brand:

The difficulty means that the likes of Froome, Vincenzo Nibali, Alberto Contador and Nairo Quintana are all likely to be in the hunt for the stage victory. Here’s Cycling News’ rundown of what we can expect from the undulating 195-kilometre grind:

After breaking the field apart in the mountains on Stage 10, it’ll be intriguing to see whether or not Team Sky can repeat the feat here.

Christophe Ena/Associated Press

The efforts from men like Froome, Richie Porte and Geraint Thomas during those climbs were stunning to watch. But with some sharp rises throughout Stage 12, if there are any weary legs amongst their group, that will show on the final climb into Plateau de Beille.

Former Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong expressed a similar viewpoint:

For the rest of the field, it’s vital some inroads are made into Froome’s lead if he’s to be overhauled before Paris. Some medium-mountain stages will follow this one, meaning it’s going to be tough for any of the general classification contenders to make any kind of significant dents in the Brit’s lead.

It makes Stage 12 a critical one if we’re to see a competitive finish in the battle for yellow. But Team Sky have been immaculate so far, and given the way in which they nursed Froome home with time to spare heading into La Pierre Saint-Martin, it’s tough to see anyone getting anywhere near the 2013 champion on Stage 12.