Despite Denis Menchov winning stage 11, American Floyd Landis starts today's 211.5km stage with an eight-second lead

Landis faces a struggle to defend the jersey on Bastille Day, as French riders have claimed it for the last two years

On their national holiday, French champion Florent Brad relaxes with compatriot Dessel ahead of the start

After a few attacking breakaways, Germany's Jens Voigt leads a small pack ahead of the peloton under sunny skies

Britain's David Millar leads the breakaway over the Cote de Pujos, but is caught two minutes later and trails

The pack rides near Cazaux-Layrisse as they continue on possibly the hottest day of the Tour so far

Tom Boonen and Robbie McEwen head the peloton before the Phonak team forge forwards to build a strong lead

The field rides past the village of Saint-Girons as it speeds on towards Carcassone

Whilst Phonak give chase, Oscar Freire, Christophe Le Mevel, Yaroslav Popovich and Alessandro Ballan stretch their lead

The riders exit the Mas d'Azil cave as they descend from the Pyrenees during the 12th stage

But Le Mevel disappoints French hopes as Freire, Popovich and Ballan launch a 25 second breakaway

Ballan and Friere watch as Popovych races ahead and crosses the Carcassonne finish line with nine seconds gap

And Landis ends the stage on a high as he joins the Ukranian on the podium after easily retaining the yellow jersey