Tour de France Stage 12 from Auch to Hautacam is set to be a make-or-break stage in the 2025 Tour de France. The initial high mountain top finish usually distinguishes between the pretenders and the contenders, and the route this year fulfills just that test.
Following 11 days of positioning and tactical racing, gloves are off on July 17th. Stage 180.6 kilometers finishes at the summit of the infamous Hautacam climb, legends are forged, and dreams are broken. The true Tour de France begins here.
Stage 12 Information
Date: Thursday, July 17th, 2025
Start Location: Auch
Finish Location: Hautacam
Stage Type: Mountain
Total Distance: 180.6 km
Elevation Gain: 3,850 meters
Neutralized Start: 13:10 local time
Predicted Finish: 17:32 local time
Stage 12's Key Climbs
Côte de Labatmale (Category 4)
Distance to Finish: 91.4 km
Length: 1.3 km
Average Gradient: 6.3%
Elevation: 470m
This first climb is a warm-up for what is to follow. While graded as merely a Category 4 ascent, it is the introduction to mountainous riding and can allow early attempts at getting away.
Col du Soulor (Category 1)
Distance to Finish: 134.1 km
Length: 11.8 km
Average Gradient: 7.3%
Elevation: 1,474m
The Col du Soulor is the first major test of the stage. This Category 1 mountain ascent lasts nearly 12 kilometers with an arduous 7.3% average inclination. The ascent will thin the peloton significantly and could see the initial major attacks by general classification riders.
Col des Bordères (Category 2)
Distance to Finish: 145.7 km
Length: 3.1 km
Average Gradient: 7.7%
Elevation: 1,156m
Steep and brief, Col des Bordères packs a punch with a 7.7% gradient. After a brief descent from the Soulor, riders have scant relief before another demanding ascent.
Hautacam (Hors Catégorie)
Distance to Finish: 0 km (finish at the top)
Length: 13.6 km
Average Gradient: 7.8%
Elevation: 1,520m
The Hautacam climb is the pièce de résistance. This Hors Catégorie monster is 13.6 kilometers long and has a mean gradient of 7.8%. The climb has various sections over 10%, particularly through the center kilometers where the road steepens relentlessly.
The Hautacam has witnessed some of the Tour's most memorable moments. In 2022, Jonas Vingegaard delivered a masterclass performance here, sending Tadej Pogačar to the wall with a devastating 4-kilometer solo attack that all but wrapped up his overall victory.
Points and Awards
Stage 12 is valuable in offering opportunities to riders targeting various categories:
Mountains Classification (Polka-Dot Jersey)
Côte de Labatmale: 1 point (awarded to only 1st place)
Col du Soulor: 10-8-6-4-2-1 points (to the top 6 finishers)
Col des Bordères: 5-3-2-1 points (top 4 finishers)
Hautacam: 20-15-12-10-8-6-4-2 points (top 8 finishers)
Green Jersey Classification
The Bénéjacq mid-sprint (km 95.1) awards 20 points to 1 point for the top 15 riders. The stage win also gives points classification, with 20 points for the leader decreasing to 1 point for 15th place.
Time Bonuses
Hautacam summit finishes awards time bonuses of 10 seconds to the leader, 6 seconds to the runner-up, and 4 seconds to the third-placed cyclist. Such bonuses could be the difference between a very close fight for the general classification.
Riders to Watch
Three riders are on top when it comes to probable stage winners and general classification material:
Jonas Vingegaard
The current champion arrives at Hautacam with fond memories and pure confidence. Vingegaard's 2022 Hautacam stage victory proved his ability to perform under pressure on gradients as dramatic as these. His recent altitude training camps have prepared him particularly for such scenarios.
The Danish mountaineer possesses the rare combination of extended power and strategic savvy to dominate on the Hautacam. His kick on the steepest sections of the mountain could once again prove to be the clincher.
Tadej Pogačar
The Slovenian phenom will be looking for payback after his 2022 defeat on this very climb. Pogačar's bold style on the bike and incredible climbing ability render him an annual threat on any mountain summit finish.
His versatility allows him to attack or counter-attack himself. At only 25 years old, he has shown throughout his professional career that he deals well under pressure and the largest of stages.
Remco Evenepoel
Belgian phenomenon provides another piece of the puzzle for the competition. Evenepoel's experience in time-trialing benefits him greatly in long-endurance efforts, and his increasing climbing talent makes him increasingly formidable on challenging climbs.
His ability to maintain a consistent fast tempo might be particularly strong on Hautacam’s long, grinding sections. Be careful of Evenepoel using his tactical acumen to position himself perfectly for the winner's spot.
Tactical Considerations
The difficult profile of the stage creates a number of different ways the race may unfold:
Breakaway Potential: A quick sequence of climbs could provide an opportunity for a controlling breakaway group to form. But with the Hautacam finish prize on the line, the general classification teams will be sure to restrain any break.
Team Strategy: Teams will have their leaders well placed in advance before the final ascent. The valley route to Hautacam will be the key to setting up the eventual showdown.
Weather Factor: Mountain weather is volatile and can change rapidly in the Pyrénées. Wind or rain may have a significant impact on the tactical equilibrium and climbing conditions.
Historical Context
The Hautacam has been utilized as a Tour de France stage numerous times, always producing excellent racing. The reputation of the climb to produce dramatic moments stems from its length, grade, and status as a summit finish.
The 2022 edition was defined by Vingegaard's dominance, but previous visits have featured other dynamics. The character of the climb seems to favor those who are able to sustain high power output over longer periods rather than those who excel at pure explosive accelerations.
What to Expect
Stage 12 is bound to play like a game of chess among the general classification favorites. The early mountains will be used as arenas of examination, with squads testing each other's vulnerability and preparing for the Hautacam finale.
The real pyrotechnics are to begin at the lower slopes of the last climb. As the slope gets steeper and oxygen becomes scarcer, the top climbers will emerge from their shells to stake their claim to the yellow jersey.
The Stakes Are High
This is a stage rather than just another mountain-top conclusion. It's the initial serious opportunity for the Tour protagonists to introduce themselves and their motives. The time gaps created on the Hautacam could set the tone for the whole race.
For those with general classification ambitions, this stage offers the possibility of presenting themselves as such serious contenders. Others could see it as the end of their overall winning ambitions.
The Hautacam climb looms, to crown heroes and expose pretenders. Tour de France stage 12 promises to deliver the drama, excitement, and racing-for-all-it's-worth for which this sport is so highly regarded. The mountains don't lie, and neither will the result at the summit of this famous climb.
