Due to its length its gradient, its position as the final climb of a 3 day mountain effort, the Plateau de Beile is all set to have the biggest impact on the 2011 Yellow jersey battle of all the mountains in the race.
Due to the 30km of flat preceeding it, the main contenders, exhausted as they may be, are likely to come into the climbs opening 6.9% kilometre together.
Some might argue that it is better to have 2 major climbs in a row, the format the other 3 major mountain stages of this years Tour have adopted, rather than 30km of flat leading up to the Mountain top finish.
But it is important to remember that while there may be no Tourmalet, Iozard or Galibier to launch attacks off, or to tire the riders out immediately before the finale, most often the contenders go into the final climb together anyway. This was after all the case on Saturday at Luz Ardiden, which had been immediately precceeded by 2 major climbs.
The 6 catergorised climbs that precceed the Beille, will have done more than enough to tire the riders out.
And at the end of the day when the riders, tired, legs aching, approach the final 20k of a mountain stage, and the only thing standing between them and the stage finish, between them and glory, is a Hors Caterfory Mountain.
Whats the difference?
The Plateau de Beile is the hardest climb of this years Tour. It is the steepest of all the HC mountains, and one of the longest. At 8% for 15.7km it is longer than Alpe d Huez by 1.7km, while maintaining a similar steepness.
The fact that the second kilometre with an average of 10% already brings the riders into double figure grades, shows just how much of a challenge the climb will pose.
But Beille’s importance goes beyond that. One major critiscism of the big mountains in the Tour de France is that they are used to often. The Tourmalet has been used 4 times in 3 years. Alpe has more times than not in the last half century. Galibier, Aubisque, fans are used to these names. But the Plateau de Beille. This beast has only been used 4 times as a summit finish in the history of the Tour.
And here is where the legend comes in. Only 3 people have won on the Plateau de Beile. Marco “Il Pirata” Pantani. Lance “The Boss” Armstrong. Alberto “ El Pistolero” Contador. The 3 Greatest climbers of all time.
You have to be special to win here.
Km 3-6 all stick at around the climbs average of between 8 and 9% before falling to 7.6 % for 2km.
The gradient then increases greatly to 8.8% 9.6% and 8.6% for the next 3 kilometers respectively. Coming after 7km of climbin this section provides the toughest challenge on the mountain, is the best place for attacks to stick, and is likely to prove the graveyard for some contenders Tour de France hopes.
The last time the Tour came here, it was 2007 and featured the Contador vs Rasmussen battle at its peak. For those who like their facts, it was stage 14 of that yearsTour, which featured the Plateau de Beille and finally Contador raising his arms into the air.
In stage 14 of this years Tour, Can Contador repeat his heroics?
Kilometer 12 is on paper the easiest of the Beille at 6.4% but with any momentum long gone slipstraeam is unlikely to play much of a role. Its still a long way to the top and the climb gets steeper still.
Cycling nuts will line the steep ramps. For Samuel Sanchez and his Pro Continental support team, this is the last chance in front of their own fans. Can they make the most of it?
Anyone looking for time will have made their move by now and this makes Kilometers 13 and 14 at 7.7% and 7.4% crucial. On this section, approaching the finish, riders will do their best to either create or limit time gaps approaching the final straight. The climb does not ease of at all though. The final 1.5km, where should a small group make it to the top together, the stage will be contested, comes in at 7%.
The battle for the stage and the GC will be equally intriguing.
Whoever is victorious, should not get too far ahead of themselves however. The Alpes are still to come, the main event awaits. But they can permit themselves a smile, and hold one little fact close to their hearts. A record unique in cycling.
On the 4 occasions the Plateau de Beile has been used in the Tour, the winner has gone on to wear Yellow up on the top step in Paris.
As goes the Plateau so goes the Tour.
How will they go this year?
On Saturday, the world finds out.
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