Stage 12 of the 2025 Tour de France is here. The mountainous roads of the Pyrenees are finally upon us and the battle for the Yellow Jersey will begin in Auch.
So far, Tadej Pogacar has had the Tour much his own way, but Visma-lease a Bike will surely put the Slovenian under pressure today with big rides expected from Matteo Jorgenson and Jonas Vingegaard.
British residents will be able to stream all the action free on ITVX from 2 pm BST. But can you watch free in France, Canada and USA? Yes – withNordVPN (try it risk free).
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Welcome to Stage 12 of the Tour de France!
(Image credit: ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP via Getty Images)
The Tour de France heads into the mountains today — and what a stage we have in store.
Today's agenda features a challenging 180.6km stage from Auch to Hautacam. Before reaching the summit of the super-category climb at Hautacam, riders will first tackle a Category 1 and Category 2 ascents.
This stage is expected to significantly shake-up the General Classification standings. Following Tadej Pogacar's minor crash on Wednesday, Jonas Vingegaard will be looking to put the Slovenian under pressure.
You can watch all the action for free on ITVX if you're a British resident.
Outside Blighty right now? Head over to NordVPN and access your usual Tour de France streams.
General Classification Standings
This could be all change today, but currently Ben Healy leads the way:
1. Ben Healy (Ire/EF Education-EasyPost) 41hrs 1min 13secs 2. Tadej Pogacar (Slo/UAE Team Emirates-XRG) +29secs 3. Remco Evenepoel (Bel/Soudal Quick-Step) +1min 29secs 4. Jonas Vingegaard (Den/Visma-Lease a Bike) +1min 46secs 5. Matteo Jorgenson (US/Visma-Lease a Bike) +2mins 6secs 6. Kevin Vauquelin (Fra/Arkea-B&B Hotels) +2mins 26secs 7. Oscar Onley (GB/Picnic PostNL) +3mins 24secs 8. Florian Lipowitz (Ger/Red Bull - Bora-hansgrohe) +3mins 34secs 9. Primoz Roglic (Slo/Red Bull - Bora- hansgrohe +3mins 41secs 10. Anders Johannessen (Nor/Uno-X Mobility) +5mins 3secs
Can Vingegaard repeat his 2022 heroics on Hautacam?
Hautacam was an immense stage in 2022. Pogacar tried everything to reclaim the Yellow Jersey, but Wout van Aert and Vingegaard crushed him on the super-category ascent to hand the Dane his first GC victory.
Relive that moment by watching the short highlight package above.
What time does Stage 12 of the Tour de France start?
Stage 12 will get underway at 1:25 pm local time (CET).
🇺🇸 In Eastern Time (ET) that is 7:25 am. 🇬🇧 For Brits that will be 12:25 pm (BST).
Tadej Pogacar fine to continue after crash on Stage 11
Tadej Pogacar came down yesterday as he clipped the back wheel of Tobias Halland Johannessen who was cutting across him to chase a move from the front of the peloton.
Luckily, the Slovenian escaped with some minor cuts and he was thankful for the rest of the peloton for waiting for him to rejoin.
Speaking after the race, he expressed his respect: "Thanks to the peloton in front, they actually waited.
"Obviously, the race was more or less over back there, but still, they could take time – maybe not take too much time – but I would need to go really deep to come back like this.
"Really big respect to everybody in front. Thanks for your support, guys."
How can I watch Stage 12 of the Tour de France for free?
The Tour de France has great free streams to get stuck into and some even include English commentary!
🇬🇧 British cycling fans can watch Stage 12 on ITV4 via ITVX. The platform is completely free and all you need to do is sign up to watch. 🇦🇺 It is a similar situation for Australians. SBS On Demand are streaming Stage 12 for free and you can even watch the full day replay if you miss the action.
But what if I'm outside these countries? Fear not, Australian and British residents visiting the US or somewhere else can access their free TdF streams by using NordVPN.
Who is favourite for Stage 12?
It is difficult to look past Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogacar today. The arch rivals have exchanged plenty of blows in the opening 11 stages but this is where it really starts.
Pogacar currently holds a 1:17 lead over the Dane, but that can quickly evaporate on the mountainous slopes of Hautacam.
Remco Evenepoel, Oscar Onley and Primoz Roglic are some other names to keep an eye on — they will likely all be gunning for a stage win.
Stage 12 Guide - Hautacam looms!
(Image credit: Tour de France)
The Hautacam is 13.5km and the gradient averages 7.8% — who will we see a big move from?
Tune into ITVX for FREE from 2 pm BST to find out.
Ben Healy in yellow — will he retain it?
(Image credit: Photo by Dario Belingheri/Getty Images)
Without a doubt the big story over the past couple of days has been the emergence of Ben Healy in the Yellow Jersey.
The rider has secured one stage already at the Tour and came 3rd on Stage 10 to make him the first Irishman to wear yellow since Stephen Roche in 1987.
A diminutive but relenting presence, Healy may fancy trying to retain the Maillot Jaune today — it will be no easy feat though against the likes of Pogacar and Vingegaard.
Australian residents can now stream Stage 12 of the Tour de France free on SBS.
Outside Oz? Use NordVPN and access SBS On Demand — the riders will be released in 4km so hurry!
And we're underway...
Immediate attack from Jonas Abrahamsen and Biniam Girmay follows — the sprinter is surely eyeing points at the intermediate sprint.
160km to go
We've been split into two groups early on — most of the GC riders are in the second group.
How to watch Stage 12 of the Tour de France
Don't know how to watch Stage 12 of the Tour de France? We've got you covered:
🇬🇧 In Britain ITVX is the place to go for a FREE Tour de France stream 🇺🇸 In the US you want to head over to Peacock — prices start at $7.99/month 🇦🇺 Australians are also in luck as they can watch FREE on SBS On Demand 🇨🇦 FloBikes is the home of the 2025 Tour de France in Canada
Outside any of these countries right now? Use NordVPN to access your usual TdF streams.
150km to go
That breakaway is now up to 1:37.
Carlos Rodriguez and Ben O'Connor are both in it, but the big GC teams are yet to react in the peloton.
130km to go
That peloton is now 1:54 behind, Ineos Grenadiers are trying to push meanwhile at the front of the race.
100km to go — ITV coverage LIVE NOW
Looking to watch Stage 12? Well British residents can now tune into ITV4 for live coverage for the rest of the afternoon.
We currently have a large breakaway group followed by a peloton that is two minutes behind. Pogacar, Vingegaard and Evenepoel are all in that secondary group.
Remember, if you're outside Britain right now you can use NordVPN to access ITv's free stream.
Tadej Pogacar and Team UAE in the peloton
(Image credit: Photo by LOIC VENANCE/AFP via Getty Images)
92km to go
That gap is now down to 1:30, so the peloton are closing.
65km to go
They are beginning to get closer to the Category 1 climb of the Col du Soulor.
This should shake-up the race and begin to bring the GC contenders to the front.
58km to go — Ineos pick-up the pace
Ineos have really invested in this breakaway and they're dropping many of the bigger riders.
Rodriguez will be hoping his advantage can give him a chance over the likes of Pogacar and Vingegaard.
53km to go
Remco Evenepoel dropped! Visma have set a huge pace going up the Col du Soulor and got rid of Evenepoel very early on.
Meanwhile, Ineos continue to set a heavy pace at the front of the race.
Visma have blown up today with their heavy pace stages costing Vingegaard dearly.
Tomorrow, we continue in the Pyrenees with a 10.9km time-trial. By no means is this a flat one though, aerodynamics won't come into play and pure climbers like Pogacar should love this.
