What a stage! There was a lot of early jockeying for position. But it was Ion Izagirre who attacked on the final climb with about 30.9 km (19.2 mi) left in the stage. He managed to hold onto the lead and cross the finish line all by himself.
It would be 58 seconds before the next two riders came in. We were a tiny bit slow on a very warm day of racing.
- Stage 12: 3h 51' 42" (actual), 4h 00' 01" (prediction), 08' 19" slow (3.59% error)
That error is just outside my preferred range. Our prediction fell between the riders who came in 52nd and 53rd today, which meant about 31% of the 167 riders beat our time. Not a bad prediction, just not elite! Check out Izagirre's average speed.
- Stage 12: 12.14 m/s (43.71 kph or 27.16 mph)
Race organizers thought 42 kph might be the top speed. They were off, too!
I've been waiting for tomorrow's stage ever since this year's Tour de France route was released. The 137.8-km (85.62-mi) mountain stage begins in the eastern French commune of Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne. Cyclists will head east to the real star of tomorrow's stage, the 17.4-km (10.8-mi) hors catégorie climb nearly to the peak of Grand Colombier. The riders will cross the finish line at an elevation of 1501 m (4925 ft). It will be a grueling climb to the finish line! Our prediction is given below.
- Stage 13: 3h 29' 04" (prediction)
We were too slow today. Will the Grand Colombier slow riders down? If we are too slow tomorrow, some cyclist will have had the ride of his life on Bastille Day!
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