After the GC fireworks on the prior stage, the race leaders let the race go up the road and opened the door for a big win for young rider Thomas Pidcock of Ineos-Grenadiers atop the famous Alpe d’Huez. Pidcock collects his first stage win in his first Tour de France. The Brit makes a strong addition to an already deep IGD squad, wearing the white jersey of Best Young Rider on most days when the brilliant Tadej Pogacar (UAE) is wearing the yellow.

Pidcock made up major time with a hair-raising descent down the Galibier, catching up with a breakaway that included a resurgent Chris Froome (IPT). The two Brits held onto the leading group until Pidcock made his move and ranaway solo for the race win in the last 7.5km.

The GC riders battled behind the lead group. Tadej Pogacar tried to lose the yellow jersey wearer Jonas Vingegaard (JV) up the final climb, but the young Dane had none of it. Meanwhile, Geraint Thomas (IGD) was happy to hold onto the wheels of the pair while teammate Pidcock claimed the stage win up the road.

Romain Bardet (DSM) lost a little time to his GC rivals, sliding out of the top-3 of Vingegaard, Pogacar, and Thomas, to 4th overall.

Elsewhere in the race American Neilson Powless (EF) made a bid to regain time on the breakaway. He came in 4th on the stage with a strong ride and is starting to look like the dominant GC hope for the EF-Easypost squad. Powell holds 18th in overall time after Stage 12, right behind fellow American Sepp Kuss (JV) at 17th.