Stage 12 of the 2012 Tour de France witnessed a welcome return to the podium for Britain’s David Millar (Garmin-Sharp). 

Always articulate, the Scotsman paid tribute to the success of British riders on the anniversary of the death of one of the nation’s greatest, Tom Simpson, who died on the Mont Ventoux 45 years ago to the day.

Millar, who served a two-year suspension for doping from 2004 to 2006, but since has return has been one of the sport’s most vociferous anti-doping campaigners, also paid tribute to the success of clean riders, himself included.

Here are the highlights of stage 12, captured in a series of images by official UCI WorldTour photographer, Stefano Sirotti.

Photographers from the Tour de France press pack await the riders

David Millar said he had given himself no option but to win stage 12 of the 2012 Tour de France. He duly delivered

Matt Goss leads Peter Sagan to the finish line, but the positions were reversed by the commissaires after Goss switched lines during the sprint

The sixth place awarded to Peter Sagan increased his lead in the green jersey competition

Bradley Wiggins enjoyed a quiet day in yellow, riding a controlled race. He later congratulated Miller, the fourth of the five-strong Team GB road race team to win a stage