With HTC Colombia lead out man Mark Renshaw excluded for tangling Julian Dean and blocking Tyler Farrar, a punishment felt by many not to have fitted the crime, stage 12 was a 210.5km stage from Bourg De Peage to Mende.
There were five climbs today. Three were category three climbs whilst there was a category two climb on Suc de Montivernoux at 96km and at the end, there was the category two Montée Laurent Jalabert for the riders to complete.
Eighteen riders were involved in the first main break including Mario Aerts, Vinokourov, Sandy Casar and Hesjedal as they made their way through the Rhone Valley towards Mende which is in Lozere area, amongst the Mimata mountains.
There were a couple of sprints in the race and Thor Hushovd took both them ahead of Bole to keep him in the Green Jersey by five points.
The race went into Mende without Tylar Farrar who withdrew, and it was Katusha's Joaquin Rodriquez Oliver, who beat Alberto Contador to the line.
Farrar
Contador
Speaking after the stage to the Tour De France website, Rodriquez said: "My relationship with Alberto is very good. We've known each other since we raced together for the ONCE team in 2003, and he also raced with my little brother. But at the end of today's stage, there was no agreement possible. Especially since I was very confident because I know that my top speed is greater than his.
"I was very clear at the start of the Tour: I wanted to win a stage and get the best possible position in the general classification. I'm glad to see that today, the two objectives have come good at the same time. I find myself with a stage victory and a very good place on GC.
"Regarding the fight for the title between Contador and Schleck, I feel that the stages that are coming up are more favorable for Alberto. I also think Andy Schleck has already spent a lot of energy in the first part of the Tour. In my opinion, Alberto has biggest chance for the final victory."
Andy Schleck who finished fifth, lost ten seconds to Contador but stays in yellow by 31 seconds. Schleck this morning, as the holder of two jerseys - yellow and white, received a unique bicoloured jersey from sponsors LCL (Yellow Jersey) and Skoda (White Jersey).
Nicholas Roche is 14th with Bradley Wiggins in 16th, Geraint Thomas is 63rd, Steve Cummings 137th, David Millar 148th, Mark Cavendish 150th, Daniel Lloyd 155th and Jeremy Hunt (pictured below) 158th.
Stage 13 is from Rodez to Revel and is 196km long. You can catch it live on British Eurosport and ITV4.
Pictures copyright of Covsupport News Service. Credit CNS/KM & Jeff Matthews. Schleck picture copyright of Xavier Benoit.