Though the majority of the main contenders had moved towards the head of the general classification by the time the individual time trial came around, the ‘Race for Pink’ was still yet to really take shape.

Cadel Evans (BMC Racing) led the way, and with a time trial course well-suited to his strengths, the veteran Australian looked set to make up some big ground on his rivals.

But he had not reckoned on the phenomenal form of Rigoberto Uran (Omega Pharma-Quickstep). The Colombian had never won a major individual time trial, and though capable had often blown hot and cold in the discipline. Stage 12, however, was certainly an occasion of the former though.

Though the Belgian super team had been setting some fast times on the technical course, when Diego Ulissi (Lampre-Merida) obliterated the benchmark and set a time of sub-59 minutes it looked to be the Italian’s third stage win in the bag.

But Uran had other ideas – not only beating Ulissi but destroying his time, crossing in a sensational, untouchable, 57:34.

That Evans was able to recover from a few misjudged corners to finish third was testament to his own ability, but the day belonged to the Colombian – who became the first of his countrymen to pull on the maglia rosa as a result.