After Rui Costa's withdrawal, Kristijan Durasek put Lampre-Merida in the spotligt in the 12th stage of the Tour de France, 195 km from Lannemezan to Plateau de Beille.

The Croatian climber who has already won the Tour of Turkey and a stage in the Tour de Suisse, gave high visibility to the blue-fuchsia-green jersey on the many climbs which characterized the Pyrenean stage the Col de Portet d'Aspet (2nd category), the Cole de la Core (1st category), the Port de Lers (1st category) and the final climb of Plateau de Beille (hors categorie).

After 20 km, Durasek was already in front alongside 21 riders in a group which that got an advantage of 14 minutes. He had the satisfaction of being first at the top of the Col de la Core  but he did not succeed in riding with the same efficency on the Port de Lers where he was dropped from the break and ended the stage in 60th.

It was the second time that Durasek spent a day in the front of the race: he was a breakaway protagonist in the 7th stage too.