Course: This third alpine stage bypasses the area’s big climbs— Izoard, Vars and Allos — and instead sticks to the valleys and foothills.The (mild) sting in the tail comes when the race reaches Digne-les-Bains,where the riders do a 40km loop, the first half up and over the narrowCat. 2 Col du Corobin, the last half on a rolling main road back into town.

History: Digne was a regular stage town in the 1930s and ’40s,but the Tour hasn’t returned here since 1969 when Merckx outsprinted breakcompanion Felice Gimondi over a course that included Vars and Allos.

Favorites: With the GC hierarchy fully established, expect thosewho missed the selection at Courchevel or Briançon to go on theattack.

Stage 12 - Briançon to Digne-les-Bains >187km

This is the 14th of July - Bastille Day - so expect Frenchmen likeSandy Casar, Sylvain Chavanel or Thomas Voeckler to seek a stage win tocelebrate their national day. Sprinters like Stuart O’Grady and Hushovdalso have a chance.