The 14th stage of the Tour de France 2012 took place on July 15, 2012 and led from Limoux in the Languedoc-Roussillon region to Foix in the Pyrenees . With a distance of 191 kilometers, there were two first category mountain prizes and one of the second category.
The route led mainly in a westerly direction, and in the final part in a north-easterly direction through the Aude and Ariège departments . After the start in Limoux ( 179 m ), it first went via Quillan ( 288 m ) up to the Col du Portel ( 601 m ), the first mountain classification in the Pyrenees. Tarascon-sur-Ariège ( 479 m ) was reached via Lavelanet ( 504 m ) , where the intermediate sprint was held and the refreshment station was also located. From there it went up to Port de Lers ( 1517 m ), a 1st category mountain classification. After the passage of Massat ( 658 m ), the up to 18% steep ascent to the Mur de Péguère ( 1375 m ) was conquered for the first time in the history of the tour . From this first category pass, it was almost 40 kilometers to the finish in Foix ( 410 m ).
The leading group, which now comprises eleven drivers, has continuously increased its lead over the field, which was already ten minutes at kilometer 72. Sagan won the intermediate sprint; The fastest of the field, which was 13:20 minutes behind at this point, was André Greipel . At the beginning of the ascent to Port de Lers, the field was a quarter of an hour behind the leaders. Paulinho was the first to cross the top of the pass. Gautier suffered a defect in the descent, but was able to catch up to the front after a few kilometers. In the ascent to the Mur de Péguère, Sánchez increased the pace and tore the group apart. Only Sagan, Izagirre, Gilbert and Casar could keep up with him; the latter won the mountain classification.
Around 30 drivers in the main field suffered punctures near the top of the pass. As it turned out later, nails had been scattered on the street. The most prominent victim was Cadel Evans , who had to stop three times within a short period of time because of a defect; the first time he failed at the top of the pass, he lost over a minute while waiting for the team car. Even Bradley Wiggins was relegated short because of a defect and change his bike. The group around Wiggins slowed down noticeably so that the Evans group could catch up later. Robert Kišerlovski fell due to a defect and had to give up the race with suspected broken collarbone.
In the meantime, Sánchez launched an attack eleven kilometers from the finish and abandoned his four companions. He won his fourth stage of the Tour with a 47-second lead. The main field crossed the finish line 18:15 minutes behind.
Mountain ratings
Col du Portel Category 2 after 30 km over 601 m 5.3 km at 6.3%
