COURSE: This is a classic 217km Pyrenean stage with half-a-dozenbig climbs before the destructive summit finish on the Plateau de Beille.The 10km, 8.4-percent climb of the Col d’Agnes at 154km is the steepest,and is followed by a short downhill and climb before descending a narrowtwisty back road, which could be treacherous in the rain.

A short valley section then precedes the 18.5km, 6.4-percent haul to the finish.

FAVORITES: This has every sign of being the key stage of the Tour, a day when Armstrong will discover his true rivals.

KILOMETERS CLIMBING
66.3
KILOMETERS DESCENDING
58.7

HISTORY: The two finishes at Plateau de Beille were both wonby that year’s Tour winner — Marco Pantani in 1998, and Armstrong in 2002.No wonder the Texan thinks this is a more decisive stage than the upcomingtime trial to L’Alpe d’Huez.

STAGE 13 July 17 Lannemezan - Plateau de Beille (134.844mi/217km)

Marco Pantani rode to a solo stage win on the Plateau de Beille in 1998.

PHOTO: Rene Vietto gave up his wheel to his French team leaderAntonin Magne on consecutive stages in 1934. This was on the Col de Puymorens,while the next day he turned back on the Col des Ares to help Magne, who was the race leader.

LANNEMEZAN:
Starts: 2 (1999-2002)
Finishes: 0

PLATEAU DE BEILLE:
Starts: 0
Finishes: 2 (1998-2002)