In the Tour's first summit finish, at Luz Ardiden in stage 12, Danielson entered the top ten with an 11th place ride on the day. Taking time out of the majority of the field, including some riders who started the day ahead of him, installed Danielson into ninth place overall. Stage 13 was another mountain stage, which incorporated the hors catégorie climb Col d'Aubisque. With the stage's profile suggesting the winner would likely come from the morning breakaway, dozens of riders tried to escape. Ten eventually did, including Hushovd, Jérémy Roy, and David Moncoutié, who were the last three to stay at the front of the race. Roy crested the Aubisque first, with Moncoutié and Hushovd trailing behind. They caught and surpassed him in the brief flat section that followed the climb. Hushovd eventually shod Moncoutié as well and took the stage win solo. Post-race analysis called the stage win a miracle.