While the true fireworks are not likely to go off on Stage 12 it gives riders the first glimpse of high altitude (over 1500 meters) at this year's tour and serves as a primer for more exciting things to come. It is the longest mountain stage at 209.5 km and features two long Category 1 climbs of the Col de Peyresourde and Hourquette d'Ancizan. These climbs are both in the 7-7.5% average gradient range where watts/kg still overcomes the pure lightness of the very small climbing specialists, so with a 30 km descent to the finish we don't expect the GC to split other than the possibility of some non substantial breakaway seconds. The more interesting aspect of stage 12 will be to see rider and team tactics and how or if teams attack given the only Individual TIme Trial of the tour is the following day in Pau.