TdF Stage 7: Brioude - Aurillac (159km)

Luis Leon Sanchez was the winner of today’s rolling stage that took the Tour further South towards the big mountains. It was a stage that had five category climbs and one that again split up the main bunch into pieces towards the end. Sanchez broke free of the pack on the decent down towards the finish and kept away to take the victory ahead of the Tours main protagonists.

Of the top riders on the GC only Cunego and Millar lost time and dropped down places. Cunego, especially was a surprise as he was expected to be a contender this year but one one of the category climbs he slipped off the back.

Millar, who had been part of a front group when the bunch split earlier in the race was finally dropped off of the main pack coming in 33 seconds down along with Cunego. The 33 seconds lost is not major and it was still a solid ride by Millar and keeps him in the top ten. Cunego will be disappointed but he is far from out of the Tour if he can find some better form going into the second week. 

Kim Kirchen retains the overall lead with Evans moving up into second place.

Tomorrow the Tour progresses on. It has a rolling start with a few bumps towards the end and a flat finish. It has the potential to be a day for the sprinters, but with the GC well sorted out now you will probably find a group of six or seven riders breaking away, who are no threat to the overall standings, and staying away for the stage.

Category: Pro Road Racing » Tour de France |

...........................................................................................................................................................................