Tour de France stage 12 predictions and cycling betting tips: Cav on a mission

Free cycling analysis for stage 12 of the 2021 Tour de France.

Where to watch

ITV4 & Eurosport 1, 12:40pm Thursday

Stage 12 preview

A day after coming home second in a sprint finish, Wout van Aert proved just why he is one of the most talented cyclists around by winning the mountain stage over Mont Ventoux on Wednesday.

There was a glimmer of a crack in leader Tadej Pogacar as he was distanced near the summit by Jonas Vingegaard, who moves into third place overall, with Rigoberto Uran, fifth on stage 11, up to second place but both remain over five minutes behind the Slovakian defending champion.

Pogacar is 1-12 with bet365 to retain his title ahead of Vingegaard at 12-1, Richard Carapaz at 20-1 and Uran at 22-1.

Thursday's stage 12 to Nimes is all about Mark Cavendish and whether he can equal the Eddy Merckx record of 34 Tour stage wins.

The terrain is pretty undemanding and if the Manx Missile is feeling strong after yesterday's double ascent of Mont Ventoux then punters can expect his Deceuninck Quick-Step team to control the peloton and keep any breakaway in check.

This will play into the hands of the other sprint teams but there appears little strength in depth among the opposition with only Jasper Philipsen seeming capable of challenging. It would rank as one of the Tour greatest achievements should Van Aert take the stage after yesterday’s heroics.

There is a chance that crosswinds could play a part in Thursday's stage so teams with podium aspirations may be more aggressive.

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