In 2012, Van den Broeck finished 3rd in the Volta a Catalunya and then finished 5th in the Criterium du Dauphiné, showing good form for the forthcoming Tour de France. On Stage 7 of the Tour de France, a mountain top finish at La Planche des Belles Filles, Van den Broeck lost 1 minute 54 seconds to stage winner Chris Froome after getting a flat tyre just before the final climb. However Van den Broeck then showed his good form in the mountains to move him up to finishing 4th overall.