Tour de France 2024 Stage 12: Aurillac to Villeneuve Sur Lot

Where are we? Heading from the Auvergne to the Aquitaine

Aurillac: I am predictable. If the phrase National Stud appears, I will mention it. From Le Tour:  Aurillac National Stud Built: 1983

History: When Napoleon I reorganised the stud farms in 1806, the Aurillac stallion depot was moved to the Visitation convent in Rue des Carmes. It was also at the beginning of the 19th century, in 1821, that the first races were organised in Aurillac. In 1973, the Aurillac stallion depot had 47 stallions and the facilities in Rue des Carmes were becoming increasingly cramped, outdated and difficult to access from the town centre. That's why a new stud farm was built in 1983 to the south of the town on a 17-hectare estate handed over to the State by the Cantal department, close to the racecourse and riding school, creating a thirty-hectare equestrian centre on the immediate outskirts of the town, to which a pony club was added.  

Le Tour specialties: cantal, Auvergne cheeses, Couderc gentian liqueur, charcuterie, pounti, potée auvergnate, Salers meat.

Villeneuve Sur Lot: From the local tourist site: Founded in 1264 by Alphonse de Poitiers, Villeneuve-sur-Lot is the largest river bastide in the Southwest of France. Like all bastide towns, it was built on an orthogonal plan organized around a central square, Place Lafayette. 

Villeneuve-sur-Lot will charm you with its streets and alleyways, where the medieval era still shines through on the facades of the timber-framed houses, or with the Cieutat bridge, witness over the centuries to the whims of the indomitable River Lot. And let’s not forget the remarkable Sainte-Catherine church, founded in the 19th century, with its 55-metre-high bell tower. 

Whatever the season, the bastide is the place to be for a wide range of events that will make your stay unforgettable. With its 400 shops, the bastide town of Villeneuve-sur-Lot will meet all your needs to ensure your stay is a memorable one.

Le Tour specialties: cèpe du Périgord (mushroom), tourtière (cake), chasselas of Moissac (grape), Agen prunes, white garlic from Lomagne

Christian Prudhomme says:  The aesthetic landscapes of the Cantal and Lot regions won’t distract the baroudeurs (breakaway specialists) from the knowledge that there’s something for them to play for. The terrain here is all hills, with the climb to Rocamadour standing out – it’ll be tackled in the opposite direction to the route taken by the 2022 Tour time trial. The second part of the stage is more suited to the sprinters’ teams that are set on chasing the break down. However, on two previous and similar stages into Villeneuve-sur-Lot, the breakaway managed to hold off its pursuers.

The stage: The likely doomed break of the day consisted of Madouas, Pacher, Abrahamsen, and Turgis. Eventually Turgis would fall back and as expected, they were all together heading to the finish. 

in short:

⏱️ Gap evolution
4 early attackers opened a gap of 3’32’’ at km 34… They stayed at the front for 162 kilometers at an average of 47.3 km/h

⏱️ Évolution de l'écart
4 baroudeurs ont creusé un écart de 3’32’’ au km 34… Ils sont restés à l'avant pendant 162 kilomètres à 47,3km/h… pic.twitter.com/HmFMN6IZJv

— Tour de France™ (@LeTour) July 11, 2024

Crash in the peloton as the came closer with numerous riders down. Following the crash, there would be a split in the peloton and some riders remaining down.

That looked to be very much caused by road furniture. In that second group, Roglic, who has been having a bad week. The gap to his group would continue to grow and he would lose a ton of time. 

In the sprint, Girmay! What a Tour he is having.

The wine: Chateau Chante L'Osieau 2019

From Copake Wine Works 

Sauternes! An importer tells me that: This Barsac domaine produces a lovely and balanced Sauternes from 3.8 hectares of 60-year-old vines in the calcareous soils of Barsac. The vineyard is planted 80% to Semillon and 20% to Sauvignon Blanc, and the wine—which shows excellent vinosity and freshness—spends two years in 50% new barrels.

A wine merchant tells me that: World class Satuernes from one of the oldest estates in the region, dating to 1756! *They happen to be located next to Chateau d'Yquem as well, so you know the vineyard sites are exemplary. Aromas and flavors of orange marmalade, lemon zest, and candied citrus peel abound. While rich and richly sweet, this Sauternes isn't heavy thanks to its balancing acidity.

The food: Cantal Cheese  

Cantal AOC is one of the oldest cheeses in France dating to the times of the Gaul’s rule. It received an Appellation d'Origine (AOC) status from the administrative region of Cantal in the Auvergne region in 1956. This has ensured that the semi-hard, uncooked, pressed cheese has the features and characteristics attributable to the area of origin.
I admit that although it is not traditional at all, this ended up (with many other cheeses) in a baked mac and cheese. 

That said, this spring in Lille, we used it on Fondue and I still think of it often.