Cycling Shirts Guide

Stage 7 and the trek into the mountains has begun, with an undulating route of 165.5 km stretching from Tournus to Station des Rousses, and featuring 6 climbs like the riders this year had not yet encountered on the Tour. The hills were set out on a devilishly difficult course, each seemingly to get progressively more challenging, starting with a category 3, then a smaller catagory 4 before another cat. 3 and three final category 2s. Not a route for the faint hearted, and this was a stage designed primarily for the climbers, with the sprint specialists grinding away for survival.

As promised in the French morning press, Pineau attacked early, forming a breakaway quintet of Knees (MRM), Hondo (LAM), Perez Moreno (EUS) and Dumoulin (COF). The group broke fast and hard, and in a stage where the other riders were keeping tabs on each other and looking to spot weaknesses in each other, the escapees managed a significant lead of over 8 minutes. Bbox Team were hoping to feature in the first attack but missed their chance, and Quickstep moved to the head of the peloton to begin the chase down, a position which was subsequently taken by Bbox until O’Grady (SAX) moved into position at the head. By the 60 km mark riders from Bbox had grabbed the front of the peloton and ramped up the speed to draw back the lead of the breakaway.

As the climbers pushed on and teased the other riders with occasional bursts of speed, it was the sprinters who struggled. Several times, Yellow Jersey holder Cancellara lost touch with the peloton, only to resort to his iron will and determination to get back into the fold. Conventional wisdom would have led to the major attack and race for the line taking place during the sixth and final climb. However, with Perez Moreno and Dumoulin dropping off the lead group and taking their places back in the peloton, it was during the climb on the fifth hill that the first attack occurred, catching many riders off guard. Voeckler and Gautier, both of VTL, accelerated and were quickly caught by Perget (GCE), Lloyd (OLO) and Valls Ferri (FOT) to create a second leading group of five.

(Photo of Jérôme Pineau, by Jmreymond. Reproduced under Creative Commons licence.)

Once past the summit of the fifth hill and en route to the final climb of the day, the lead group comprised Pineau and Hondo, followed by Voeckler’s group of six riders, and another attacking trio, followed by the remaining bunch. It was the sixth climb that finally did for Cancellara, as he dropped back fully resigned to the fact that he would not be wearing the Yellow Jersey on Stage 7. At the same time Pineau and Hondo discussed tactics as each had a team mate in the pursuing Voeckler group. But Pineau mounted an attack to lead the race alone as Hondo’s legs couldn’t respond and he held back for his team mate; while at the same time Pineau’s team mate Chavanel staged an energetic attack of his own, breaking out of the Voeckler group and passing Hondo.

In what could be described as a perfect day for the Quickstep Team, both riders formed up in tandem short of the final summit – Pineau had already got his fill of points for the King of the Mountains Classification having been awarded maximum points for the previous five climbs. However, by this stage of the race, he was running on empty and urged Chavanel to go it alone for the Stage victory. Chavanel obliged, winning the climb points for the last ascent, in order to prevent other teams from collecting them; winning the Stage and satisfyingly re-taking the Yellow Jersey, which he had held only for a day, before losing it to bad luck on Stage 3.

The notable other rider of the day was Valls Ferri, in his first Tour de France with a brand new team, and coming in second place. A very good ride indeed, and one to look out for. Multiple splits in the field means a complete reshuffle of the General Classification after Stage 7.

This is what the Classifications look like after Stage 7:

Two cycling shirts changed hands today: the Yellow Jersey now belongs with Chavanel and the Youth Competition White Jersey was lost by Thomas who had an unlucky puncture on the final ascent, the White going to Schleck. There were no changes in the other cycle jerseys with Pineau gaining extra points and keeping the Polka Dot Jersey, and sprinter Hushovd keeping the Green Jersey.

Tomorrow’s stage sees a couple of category 1 climbs, and will be a challenge, as the rider negotiate their way from Station des Rousses to Morzine-Avoriaz, a 189 km leg.