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Live Coverage - Stage 7 Tour de France, 2008

  • 01:02 PM: Good day and welcome

    To VeloNews.com's Live Coverage of the seventh stage of the 95th Tour de France, a 159 kilometer ride from Brioude to Aurillac.

    There aren't very many stretches of flat road on this short, tortuous trek across the hills and valleys of the Cantal region between the ancient towns of Brioude (population 7,200) and Aurillac (population 30,000). The two categorized climbs in the first half of the stage, along with many other short hills, will soften up the peloton before the rugged final 70km. This stretch opens with the Cat. 2 climbs of Entremont (6.5km at 4.7 percent) and Puy Mary (7.8km at 6.2 percent), which are followed by a long dangerous descent on very narrow roads before the short, winding Cat. 3 St. Jean de Donne hill (1.7km at 10 percent) that crests just 9km from the finish. A fast downhill takes the course right through the historic center of Aurillac to a flat finish in the south part of town on the Avenue des Tronquieres.

  • 01:05 PM: Riding in the neutral zone

    the peloton is working its way through the 3.3km neutral zone. We expect them to reach Km 0 at around 1:10.

  • 01:08 PM: Stage finishes in Aurillac
    Advertisement

    A half dozen Tour stages have finished in Aurillac, but the most recent was 23 years ago, in 1985, when solo breakaway expert Eduardo Chozas of Spain pulled off the first of his four Tour career stage wins, finishing 10 minutes ahead of a disinterested peloton that took more than seven hours to race 273.5km. Other stages arriving in Aurillac have been far more competitive, especially when the weather has been extreme - sun-blasted 100-degree heat (1959) or cold rain (1968).

  • 01:10 PM: Neutral

    The peloton is close to the official starting line. We may see attacks develop early, since this is a relatively short stage.

  • 01:15 PM: Today's weather

    The wind that has punctuated many of the past stages has finally eased off. There is a 5kph wind from the south, meaning that the slight breeze will act as a tailwind if anything. There are light clouds above and temperatures around 21c (70f).

  • 01:17 PM: Racing

    The start flag has dropped. Let's see how this develops.

    Meanwhile, if you have a comment, question or observation, go ahead and hit the "Contact our editors" link below the Live Update Window and drop us a line. We'll try to answer as many questions as possible and even post a few during today's coverage - time permitting.

  • 01:22 PM: KOM points

    We can expect something of a fight for climbers' points today. Given that today's route favors a rider like Sylvain Chavanel, we'd have to put our money on his fending off any challenge from Thomas Voeckler, but the Bouyges Telecom rider is feisty. It should be good.

    King of Mountains:
    1. Sylvain Chavanel (FRA), Cofidis, 27pts
    2. Thomas Voeckler (FRA), Bouygues Telecom, 27
    3. Riccardo Ricco (ITA), Saunier Duval, 20
    4. Alejandro Valverde (ESP), Caisse d'Epargne, 18
    5. Cadel Evans (AUS), Silence-Lotto, 16
    6. Frank Schleck (LUX), CSC, 14
    7. Kim Kirchen (LUX), Team Columbia, 12
    8. Freddy Bichot (FRA), Agritubel 12
    9. Roman Kreuziger (CZE), Liquigas, 10
    10. Bjoern Schroeder (GER), Milram, 9

  • 01:23 PM: An attack

    We see two riders off the front, with five in pursuit. We still need time gaps and IDs. Stand by.

  • 01:25 PM: Tiny gaps

    The pace is high and no one is really getting much of an advantage out there. The two guys in the front were Will Frischkorn and Christophe Moreau, but it looks klike they've been reeled back. The peloton is at 5km

  • 01:30 PM: At 7km

    the peloton is at seven kilometers and working its way up the Cat. 3 Cote de Fraisse, which summits at 11km.

  • 01:32 PM: This is not a tough climb

    and it's something of a stretch to award a 4.4km climb with average grade of 4.4 percent a Cat. 3 designation.

  • 01:36 PM: How do we classify climbs?

    We get a lot of questions about how the Tour classifies climbs for purposes of KOM points. It is somewhat arbitrary, but there is a general formula that applies:

    CAT. 4 - Usually less than 3km inlength, an easy pitch that amounts to no more than a sustained rise inthe road
    CAT. 3 - Slightly harder, up to 5kmin length
    CAT. 2 - Between 5km and 10km, and steeper than a 4-percent grade
    CAT. 1 - Long and steep. Between 10km and 20km, and steeper than a 5-percent grade.
    HORS CATEGORIE (HC) OR ABOVE CATEGORY The longest, steepest mountain climbs. Extremely difficult climbs, sometimes 15km to 20km, with grades often exceeding 10 percent.

  • 01:37 PM: Nearing the top

    we se eight riders moving ahead of the field. We have yet to ID them, but we'd have to guess that Chavanel and Voeckler are up there.

  • 01:44 PM: The escapees caught

    It was Garmin's David Millar who led the group over the top, so he scored four points at the top of the climb. He led Sandy Casar (FDJ), who scored three points, David Moncoutie (Cofidis) - two points - and Bram Tankink (Rabobank) - one point.

    The peloton is back together and under the control of Kim Kirchen's Columbia team.

  • 01:46 PM: More attacks

    There are still efforts by riders to create a break. As of yet, none have managed a significant gap. We have a small group off the front, but we're waiting for IDs. The escapees have about 10 seconds on the field.

  • 01:48 PM: The escape

    group at the front has swelled to 15 riders. The gap is still small and the size of the group is probably too large to allow it to develop enough of an advantage to stay away. We'll see.

  • 01:51 PM: 18km

    The 15 escapees are hovering at the front of the peloton, with a lead of about 15 seconds. Not much and with the Columbia and Caisse d'Epargne teams leading the chase, we can expect this one to be reabsorbed. Putting his team up front may be a sign that Valverde is still in the hunt for a stage win today, eh?

  • 01:54 PM: And they're caught

    This is one of those stages that could have an impact on overall and the rapid catch could be a sign that the GC players aren't at all interested in handing this one off to a group of escapees.

    Take a look at how the favorites currently rank in the overall standings:
    OUR 11 FAVORITES (after six stages)
    1. Kim Kirchen (Lux), Team Columbia 24:30:41
    2. Cadel Evans (Aus), Silence-Lotto at 0:06
    7. Denis Menchov (Rus), Rabobank at 1:03
    8. Alejandro Valverde (Sp), Caisse d'Epargne at 1:12
    9. Stijn Devolder (B), Quick Step at 1:21
    11. Samuel Sanchez (Sp), Euskaltel-Euskadi at 1:27
    12. Carlos Sastre (Sp), CSC at 1:34
    14. Damiano Cunego (I), Lampre at 1:42
    17. Frank Schleck (Lux), CSC at 1:56
    18. Andy Schleck (Lux), CSC at 1:58
    31. Riccardo Ricco (ITA), Saunier Duval at 3:52

  • 01:57 PM: The road ahead

    We may see a break eventually develop, but if it does we would expect the leash to be relatively short today. They may let a small group go, simply to keep things a little calmer during middle portion of the stage, with a catch occuring before the last of the day's two Cat. 2 climbs. We could then expect a small group to emerge on the final hill and fast descent into Aurillac. This could produce a sprint win for Samuel Sanchez (Euskaltel), Valverde or Kirchen.

  • 01:59 PM: Another try

    There are four riders off the front at the 24km mark. Again, the break only has about 15 seconds on the field. The smaller break may mean at least temporary success, since it's much easier to monitor and to assess the riders' impact on GC. Let's wait and see.

  • 02:06 PM: At 28km

    our four escapees are still holding a slight 15-second lead. There appears to be no willingness on the part of the Columbia and Caisse d'Epargne teams to let this go... and if they do, we expect the gaps to stay relatively small.

  • 02:08 PM: Bouygues Telecom

    is moving riders up into the chase. That would suggest that Voeckler is a) not in the break and b) that he wants to fight for KOM points, especially since he was shut-out on that last climb.

  • 02:13 PM: Still no IDs

    but the gap is small enough to have allowed a rider to bridge up to the group. So we now have five riders off the front.

  • 02:16 PM: Almost back in the fold

    The five riders off the front are about to be caught.

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  • 02:17 PM: The peloton is

    together at 37km.

  • 02:19 PM: Downhill run

    The pack, now all back together, is headed down towards the day's first sprint line at Saint-Flour.

  • 02:21 PM: Then an immediate kick up

    After the sprint line, the road turns upward again to the day's second KOM, the 958m Cote de Villedieu.

  • 02:23 PM: Kirchen, the double-leader

    Columbia's Kim Kirchen, wearing the yellow today, also leads the points competition. Since wearing two jerseys is just unfashionable in France, Kirchen has passed his green garment to Thor Hushovd (Crédit Agricole), who is second in the points competition.

  • 02:23 PM: Average speed

    Is 39kph for the first hour of racing.

  • 02:25 PM: Current green jersey situation

    1. Kim Kirchen (LUX), Team Columbia, 97pts

    2. Thor Hushovd (NOR), Credit Agricole, 88

    3. Oscar Freire (ESP), Rabobank, 85

    4. Erik Zabel (GER), Milram, 72

    5. Alejandro Valverde (ESP), Caisse d'Epargne, 71

    6. Robert Hunter (RSA), Barloworld, 60

    7. Cadel Evans (AUS), Silence-Lotto, 53

    8. Mark Cavendish (IDM), Team Columbia, 51

    9. Romain Feillu (FRA), Agritubel, 49

    10. Robbie McEwen (AUS), Silence-Lotto 49

  • 02:26 PM: Saint-Flour history

    This town has twice hosted a finish of the Tour. David Etxebarria won here in 1999; Richard Virenque took the win in 2004.

  • 02:27 PM: Credit Agricole is on the front

    Looks like Hushovd intends to keep that green shirt we spoke of, as we head to the first sprint.

  • 02:29 PM: Hushovd beaten

    At the first sprint by a rider from Barloworld. Waiting for an ID on that rider. Robbie Hunter, perhaps?

  • 02:31 PM: First sprint results

    1. Robbie Hunter (Barloworld)

    2. Robbie McEwen (Silence-Lotto)

    3. Thor Hushovd (Credit Agricole)

  • 02:33 PM: McEwen quiet so far this year

    After kicking off the 2007 Tour (after the prologue, of course) with a win, McEwen has been lower profile this year, not yet making it onto the podium.

  • 02:35 PM: Evans not so quiet

    While McEwen may have been low profile, his Aussie teammate at Silence, Cadel Evans, seems to be breaking out of his mild-mannered persona. Yesterday, while chasing back to the pack from a flat, he yelled and gestured at a policeman on a motorbike on course.

  • 02:36 PM: "It's all understood"

    Evans explained this morning that he had spoken with the moto cop, and that all was understood.

    "He nearly caused an accident," Evans said. "When the motorbikes brake in the wet, they can slow down. Bicycles can’t slow down. When my Tour gets threatened like that, I get a little scared."

  • 02:37 PM: Heading toward second KOM

    Five riders attack the peloton.

  • 02:38 PM: Millar, Voigt lead charge

    David Millar (Garmin) and Jens Voigt (CSC) are among the five going clear of the pack on the run-up to the KOM at Cote de Villedieu.

  • 02:39 PM: Also Florencio, Barredo, Scholz

    With one more coming up.

  • 02:39 PM: Second KOM results

    1. Jens Voigt (CSC) 3 points

    2. Ronny Scholz (Gerolsteiner) 2 points

    3. David Millar (Garmin) 1 point

  • 02:42 PM: Group of six clear

    Six riders have 20 seconds on the pack over the top.

    Voigt (CSC)

    Barredo (Quick Step)

    Scholz (Gerolsteiner)

    Florencio (Bouygues Telecom)

    Vaugrenard (Francaise des Jeux)

    Millar (Garmin)

  • 02:43 PM: Millar sits in fifth GC

    Of the men in the break, David Millar is the best on GC. He sits fifth overall, 47 seconds behind Kim Kirchen.

  • 02:43 PM: Gap grows

    The six now have a 30-second lead on the pack at 54km into the race.

  • 02:44 PM: Columbia takes the front

    Kirchen's Columbia teammates, in their blue jerseys and old school black bib shorts, are patrolling the front.

  • 02:45 PM: No long leash for Millar

    David Millar may have announced "I can't do this," regarding a push for the overall win at the Tour, but he's certainly still in it for a stage win. And Columbia is not about to hand him one.

  • 02:49 PM: Another 40+km before the next KOM

    The break and the chasing bunch are now on rolling roads for the next 40km or so. The day's second sprint comes at 74km in Paulhac. The day's third KOM, a Cat. 2 atop Col d'Entremont, comes at 101.5km.

  • 02:50 PM: Kablamo

    Columbia has blown the pack apart.

  • 02:51 PM: Make that, "Kablamo!"

    In its pursuit of the six-man break, Columbia has drilled the front of the pack so hard that the back blew out.

  • 02:51 PM: Sivtsov, Lovkvist drilling it

    Columbia is still on the front, with CSC behind.

  • 02:53 PM: Peloton split into three

    Aside from the break up the road, there is now three main groups: the Columbia-driven front end, a middle pack chasing desperately to regain contact, and a rear group in a similarly uncomfortable situation.

  • 02:53 PM: A crash behind?

    There may very likely have been a crash that contributed to the pack breaking up.

  • 02:54 PM: And the wind ain't helping

    The second and third groups are guttered, just praying for a draft.

  • 02:55 PM: No easy ride today

    No rest for the wicked.

  • 02:56 PM: Cunego went down

    He is chasing in the second group, his shorts torn up.

  • 02:58 PM: Break's lead down to 15 seconds as Millar punctures

    Voigt, Barredo, Vaugrenard, Florencio and Scholz have the lead as Millar flats.

  • 02:58 PM: Wow, Millar chases back

    That was a fast wheel change. Millar is back in the group.

  • 02:59 PM: The splits

    The break has 18 seconds on the first group, which in turn has about 40 seconds on the group behind it.

  • 03:00 PM: Break caught

    At least by the very front group.

  • 03:01 PM: Caisse d'Epargne counters

    Luis Leon Sanchez takes a solo dig just as the others are caught.

  • 03:01 PM: CSC now takes the helm

    The CSC boys are going full stick.

  • 03:02 PM: Did we say "Kablamo!"?

    The front group is maybe 20 riders. It includes yellow jersey Kim Kirchen, and seemingly the entire CSC squad, but there are a lot of big names who have missed out.

  • 03:03 PM: Second and third echelons coming together

    The back of the race is coming together.

  • 03:03 PM: But the front group isn't exactly waiting.

    CSC's Sastre and Schleck are up there. Kirchen is there. No sign of Rabobank's Denis Menchov.

  • 03:04 PM: Mauro Facci abandons

    The Quick Step rider is the fifth rider to quit the 95th Tour de France.

  • 03:05 PM: Race radio silence

    A new rule for the 2008 Tour: Rider IDs on splits in the group are not announced until the gap(s) reaches 30 seconds.

    Which makes it, um, hard to ID some of these riders.

  • 03:06 PM: Kirchen's there, but his teammates are not

    Unless we are mistaken, race leader Kim Kirchen is alone without Columbia teammates in that full-gas front group.

  • 03:07 PM: Vande Velde, Millar in front group

    We'll get the full group IDs as soon as we can.

  • 03:08 PM: Valverde is in the front group

    He has a couple of teammates, too.

  • 03:09 PM: Cadel Evans safe in the front group

    Riders are trying to bridge across, but Jens Voigt is on the front. And that ain't good for your chances when you're trying to catch.

  • 03:10 PM: Just to refresh, here is the current GC situation

    Overall, after Stage 6

    1. Kim Kirchen (LUX), Team Columbia 24h30min 41sec

    2. Cadel Evans (AUS), Silence-Lotto at 0:06.

    3. Stefan Schumacher (GER), Gerolsteiner at 0:16.

    4. Christian Vande Velde (USA), Garmin-Chipotle at 0:44.

    5. David Millar (GBR), Garmin-Chipotle at 0:47.

    6. Thomas Lovkvist (SWE), Team Columbia at 0:54.

    7. Denis Menchov (RUS), Rabobank at 1:03.

    8. Alejandro Valverde (ESP), Caisse d'Epargne at 1:12.

    9. Stijn Devolder (BEL), Quick Step at 1:21.

    10. Oscar Pereiro (ESP), Caisse d'Epargne 1:21.

    11. Samuel Sanchez (ESP), Euskaltel-Euskadi at 1:27.

    12. Carlos Sastre (ESP), CSC at 1:34.

    13. Maxime Monfort (BEL), Cofidis at 1:40.

    14. Damiano Cunego (ITA), Lampre at 1:42.

    15. George Hincapie (USA), Team Columbia at 1:45.

  • 03:11 PM: Freier takes sprint

    Followed by Kirchen and Gustov.

  • 03:12 PM: Kirchen still leads sprint competition

    Looks Hushovd will have to fight for it.

  • 03:12 PM: Correction: Kirchen DOES have a teammate up front

    We just spotted the white jersey, which is worn today by Thomas Lovkvist, Kirchen's young Swedish teammate.

  • 03:14 PM: Millar gets a wheel change

    Looks like the reason Millar got back into the earlier break from a flat was because he didn't stop to change it. He just rode that bad boy flat. He's got a fresh one on there now.

  • 03:15 PM: Some names in the front group

    Millar, Evans, Popovych, Sastre, Cancellara, both Schlecks, Voigt, Valverde, Pereiro, Sanchez, Kirchen, Lovkvist, Pozzato, Nibali, Valjavec, Kohl, Menchov, Freire, Vaugrenard, Cobo, Vande Velde and Miller.

  • 03:16 PM: 42-second gap

    The front group has nearly a minute on the rest of the race. Cunego scrapped his way up there, too.

  • 03:17 PM: Front group flying

    They're single file at 80km. Some guy named Cancellara is pulling.

  • 03:19 PM: Evans has a single teammate

    CSC has six guys up there.

  • 03:20 PM: With 77km to go, second group is singled out, too

    Looks like Euskatel driving back there.

  • 03:22 PM: Moreau dropped from main pack

    Agritubel's Christoph Moreau just came off.

  • 03:23 PM: Legou crashes out

    Lilian Jegou (FDJ) hit the deck, and boarded an ambulance, unfortunately. Make that sixth riders out of the Tour.

  • 03:25 PM: Break composition at 74km to go

    Wtih 85km covered, the front group contains:

    Evans

    Cioni

    Sastre

    Cancellara

    Gustov

    Schleck

    Schleck

    Voigt

    Valverde

    Pereiro

    Sanchez

    Kirchen

    Lovkvist

    Pozatto

    Kreuziger

    Nibali

    Kohl

    Valjavec

    Menchov

    Freire

    Cobo

    Ricco

    Vaugrenard

    Vande Velde

    Millar

  • 03:26 PM: Gap coming down

    Echeloned across the road, the front group is starting to look back at the gaining group.

  • 03:28 PM: Teams represented in the front group

    Evans and Cioni (Silence-Lotto), Sastre, Cancellara, Gustov, Schleck, Schleck and Voigt (Team CSC), Valverde, Pereiro and Sanchez (Caisse d’Eparnge), Kirchen and Lovkvist (Columbia), Pozatto, Kreuziger and Nibali (Liquigas), Kohl (Gerolsteiner), Valjavec (AG2R), Menchov and Freire (Rabobank), Cobo and Ricco (Saunier Duval), Vaugrenard (FDJ), Vande Velde and Millar (Garmin).

  • 03:30 PM: 70km remaining

    The front group is bombing downhill to the start of the Cat. 2 Col d'Entremont. The 1,210m climb is immediately followed by another Cat. 2 climb, teh Pas de Peyrol, at 1,588 meters. From there, it's (almost) all downhill to the finish in Aurillac. There is one more climb, a Cat. 3, just 9km from the finish, that could really shake things up for whoever is still standing.

  • 03:32 PM: caught

    The second group has regained the first, and the pace has slowed.

  • 03:33 PM: two riders clear

    Luis Leon Sanchez (Caisse d'Epargne) and Josep Jufre (Saunier Duval) take advantage of the much-anticipated lull to go clear.

  • 03:34 PM: Jufre doing all the work

    Valverde's teammate Sanchez is sitting on the his Spanish compatriot as riders behind attempt to bridge.

  • 03:35 PM: KOM climb begins

    The 6.5km climb averages 4.7 percent.

  • 03:37 PM: Jufre and Sanchez clear by 18 seconds

    With 63km to go, Jufre has a good gap on the road. Liquigas is leading the chase behind.

  • 03:37 PM: Smaller group chasing

    About 10 riders are giving it a go between the two-man break and the main field.

  • 03:38 PM: Roads drying

    It rained here earlier, but the roads are drying now, with 5km to the summit.

  • 03:39 PM: Jufre pulling Sanchez to a 25-second gap

    Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas) and a Saunier Duval rider jumping clear of 10-man group up towards Jufre and Sanchez.

  • 03:40 PM: 61km to go

    The 10-man group has been reabsorbed by the peloton, which is across the road, left to right, in a thick echelon.

  • 03:42 PM: De la Fuente is the Saunier Duval rider with Nibali

    Jufre (Saunier Duval) and Sanchez (Caisse d'Epargne) have 15 seconds on Nibali and De la Fuente, who in turn have 45 seconds on the pack.

  • 03:44 PM: Four together at the front

    De la Fuente and Jufre (Saunier Duval) are riding with Sanchez (Caisse d'Epargne) and Nibali (Liquigas) with 60km to go.

  • 03:46 PM: Columbia takes the front

    Kirchen has three teammates in front of him setting pace up the climb. They're not too worried about the four-man group up front, which has a 40-second lead. No one up there is a GC threat.

  • 03:47 PM: 1km to the second KOM

    50 seconds is the gap.

  • 03:49 PM: The break crests the KOM

    De la Fuente leads over the top.

  • 03:50 PM: Peloton crests the hill, 1:17 behind the break

    The peloton is in no hurry over the KOM. 57km of racing remain, and the big climb of the day awaits at the bottom of the hill.

  • 03:51 PM: KOM points go 10 deep on Cat. 2 climbs

    We'll get you the placing riders' names as soon as we hear.

  • 03:54 PM: Third KOM results

    1. David De La Fuente (Saunier Duval) 10pts

    2. Josep Jufre (Saunier Duval) 9pts

    3. Luis Sanchez (Caisse d'Epargnge) 8pts

    4. Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas) 7pts

    5. Christophe Le Mevel (Credit Agricole) 6pts

    6. Kanstantin Sivtsov (Columbia) 5pts

  • 03:55 PM: Moreau abandons

    Just over race radio, Moreau is said to have abandoned. No word as to why just yet.

  • 03:57 PM: Beginning Cat. 2 Pas de Peyrol with 53km to go

    The four riders have 1:40 on the pack. A lone rider, Credit Agricole's Christophe Le Mevel, is trying to get across.

  • 04:01 PM: Adieu, Moreau

    This was the Frenchman's 12 Tour de France.

  • 04:02 PM: John Gadret also drops out

    Ag2r's John Gadret has stepped off.

  • 04:03 PM: Hincapie leads peloton up Pas de Peyrol

    Nearly two minutes behind the four-man break, Columbia is leading the peloton on the 7.8km Cat. 2 climb. This one average 6.2 percent.

  • 04:05 PM: Nibali best-placed of breakaway riders

    The Italian Tour rookie sits highest on GC of the four men in the break. He is 28th currently, 3:01 behind Kim Kirchen.

  • 04:08 PM: Lo-ong descent awaits over KOM crest

    After topping out at 1588 meters some 117km into the race, the riders will bomb down to Saint-Simon, 31km away at an elevation of 657 meters. Saint-Simon will host the third and final sprint of the day.

  • 04:09 PM: Le Mevel is reeled in

    The Credit Agricole rider has been reabsorbed by the Columbia-driven pack. Marcus Burghardt is on the front, riding tempo, two minutes behind the break.

  • 04:11 PM: Euskatel's Astarloza jumps clear of the pack

    Mikel Astarloza is giving it a go. Columbia ain't sweatin' it. They have four riders lined up in front of Kirchen.

  • 04:12 PM: Gruppetto at 7 minutes

    All the GC favorites are in the pack. But there's another big group just riding it in, currently at 7 minutes behind the breakaway, or 5 minutes behind the pack.

  • 04:13 PM: Misty mountain hop

    Coming up on the mountain's crest, heavy fog is hanging in the air. Rain has been threatening, but the clouds have not yet opened up on the riders.

  • 04:19 PM: Chavanel hurting in the polka-dot jersey

    The man in the KOM jersey, Sylvain Chavanel, is some 9 minutes off the pace.

  • 04:20 PM: Group splintering up near misty summit of Pas de Peyrol

    Into the final kilometer of the climb, the main group is unraveling as riders settle into their own pace. It will likely come back together on the descent, though.

  • 04:21 PM: Break over the KOM

    Saunier Duval's duo lead it down the mountain, with Astarloza still coming across, grabbing a newspaper from a fan to protect his chest.

  • 04:22 PM: Low visibilty

    Columbia leads the main front group over the top. It's 42km to the finish from up here.

  • 04:25 PM: Breakaway opens it up on the descent

    The four men — Nibali, De la Fuente, Sanchez and Jufre — are enjoying the benefits of descending the narrow, cliffside road in a small group. It's a beautiful, green view off the mountainside, but no doubt the riders can't afford to sightsee at 60kph.

  • 04:26 PM: Fourth KOM results

    1. De La Fuente (Saunier Duval) 10pts

    2. Jufre (Saunier Duval) 9pts

    3. Sanchez (Caisse d'Epargne) 8pts

    4. Nibali (Liquigas) 7pts

    5. Astarloza (Euskatel-Euskadi) 6pts - at 52"

    6. Sivtsov (Columbia) 5pts - at 1’30"

  • 04:28 PM: Careful now!

    The roads are very wet and slick going down off the Pas de Peyrol. De la Fuente has dropped off the back of the breakaway, having nearly lost control of his bike in a dicey corner.

  • 04:29 PM: Yellow jersey group gaining

    With 35km to go, the main group has closed the gap to 1:15.

  • 04:30 PM: Three men doing 55kph

    The lead break is lettin' 'er fly on the tight descent.

  • 04:31 PM: van Summeren down

    Silence-Lotto's Johan Van Summeren has literally fallen victim to the slick conditions. But he's back up and (slowly) riding again.

  • 04:33 PM: De la Fuente, Astarloza still pursuing three leaders with 32km to go

    The main field is now being led by Alejandro Valverde's Caisse d'Epargne boys.

  • 04:35 PM: Chavanel hurtin' for certain

    Although the King of the Mountains competition is points-based, not time-based, it can't be a good sign for Chavanel to be riding nine minutes back from the front of the race.

  • 04:36 PM: De la Fuente regains his breakaway companions at 29km to go

    And his Saunier Duval car has made it up along the break to hand out bottles and give some encouragement. Gap is down to 1:20 to the field, with Astarloza dangling at 42 seconds.

  • 04:39 PM: Sanchez is comfortable on the descents

    Sanchez won a Paris-Nice stage this year by launching his winning move on the descent of the col du Tanneron.

  • 04:41 PM: 25km to go - Will the break make it?

    Three of the men are ostensibly out here to take the pressure off their team leaders. Sanchez has Caisse d'Epargne teammate Valverde back in the group, and the Saunier Duval duo have Riccardo Ricco. Liquigas' Nibali, however, may well be thinking about the stage win.

  • 04:42 PM: One man not thinking about the stage win

    is Astarloza. Who has given up his fruitless chase and been reabsorbed by the pack.

  • 04:43 PM: On tap - the 9.9-percent Cote de Saint-Jean-de-Donne

    The day's final climb comes at 150km, just 9km from the finish. It's not long - only 1.7km - but the 9.9-percent gradient won't feel good after four-plus hours in the saddle.

  • 04:47 PM: 20km to go

    Columbia and Caisse d'Epargne are winding it up going under the 20km to go balloon.

  • 04:49 PM: Steep descent is over

    But the pack is still benefiting from a gentle downhill grade for the next few kilometers. Two Cat. 2 climbs later, McEwen, Zabel and Hushovd are still in the main pack. If they can stay in contact over the last climb, you know they'll be thinking about the win.

  • 04:50 PM: Not in that front group

    Are riders like CSC's Stuart O'Grady, Fabian Cancellara and - our apologies - Silence sprinter McEwen. They are riding in a second group, about 3:30 back.

  • 04:51 PM: 16km to go for the four in the break

    Columbia's Sivtsov is on the front of the field, with a lot of orange with Euskatel-Euskadi right behind him.

  • 04:52 PM: Why is Euskatel riding?

    Most likely for a certain Samuel Sanchez, who has quite the finishing kick, and should have no problem getting over that last climb.

  • 04:56 PM: The GC as of this morning

    Overall, after Stage 6

    1. Kim Kirchen (LUX), Team Columbia 24h30min 41sec

    2. Cadel Evans (AUS), Silence-Lotto at 0:06.

    3. Stefan Schumacher (GER), Gerolsteiner at 0:16.

    4. Christian Vande Velde (USA), Garmin-Chipotle at 0:44.

    5. David Millar (GBR), Garmin-Chipotle at 0:47.

    6. Thomas Lovkvist (SWE), Team Columbia at 0:54.

    7. Denis Menchov (RUS), Rabobank at 1:03.

    8. Alejandro Valverde (ESP), Caisse d'Epargne at 1:12.

    9. Stijn Devolder (BEL), Quick Step at 1:21.

    10. Oscar Pereiro (ESP), Caisse d'Epargne 1:21.

  • 04:57 PM: The break hits the climb

    Unfortunately for them, it's CSC's Jens Voigt getting down to business on the front of the pack behind.

  • 04:57 PM: Now the field starts the climb

    CSC and Liquigas are on the front. Tour officials have pulled the cars out of the gap, which has dipped under 30 seconds.

  • 04:58 PM: 10km to go for the break

    25 seconds is the gap for Nibali, De la Fuente, Sanchez and Jufre.

  • 04:59 PM: Schumy moves up

    Under the 10km banner, Schumacher takes a dig with Oscar Pereiro tailing him.

  • 04:59 PM: Schumacher sits 16 seconds outside the yellow jersey

    After his untimely tumble yestserday, Stefan Schumacher (Gerolsteiner) went from yellow to 16 seconds behind new race leader Kirchen. He's looking to get that back.

  • 05:00 PM: Ricco jumps clear of the pack

    And ahead of the break, his Saunier Duval teammate De la Fuente attacks his breakaway companions.

  • 05:01 PM: Schumacher and Pereiro joined by Kreuziger

    De la Fuente still leads up front alone.

  • 05:02 PM: Peloton is guttered to the lefthand side

    As they crest the KOM

  • 05:03 PM: Other three caught, De la Fuente dangling at 9km to go

    De la Fuente is about to be caught by a small group that is now the front of the race.

  • 05:04 PM: Caisse d'Epargne drives the select front group

    Valverde is obviously there, but so are Ricco, Evans, Kirchen and about 25 others.

  • 05:04 PM: Final KOM points

    1. De La Fuente 4pts

    2. Sanchez 3pts

    3. Pereiro 2pts

    4. Piepoli 1pt

  • 05:06 PM: 4km to go

    The pack is bombing through the tight town roads now of Aurillac.

  • 05:07 PM: Caisse d'Epargne's Sanchez attacks alone

    He's clear with 3km to go

  • 05:08 PM: After being in the break all day

    Sanchez was caught, but has now attacked again from the pack. 2.5km to go.

  • 05:08 PM: Sanchez knows how to ride alone

    he just won Spain's national time trial championship

  • 05:09 PM: 1.7km to go

    Sanchez is holding his lead.

    Liquigas is chasing.

  • 05:09 PM: Caisse d'Epargne has a number of riders in the chase group

    Who of course are happy to sit on and cheer for their man

  • 05:10 PM: 1km to go

    Sanchez is gasping for breath, but drilling it with a 10-second gap

  • 05:10 PM: Hands on the hoods, head down

    It's now or never for Sanchez, who can see the finish.

  • 05:11 PM: Finger to the sky

    It's Sanchez with the win.

  • 05:11 PM: Pozzato, Kirchen and Schumacher sprint for the finish

    The sprinters are still behind.

  • 05:12 PM: Valverde psyched to see his teammate win

    Sanchez is collapsed over his handlebars just past the finish.

  • 05:15 PM: Top five on the day

    1. Luis Leon Sanchez (Caisse d'Epargne)

    2. Stefan Schumacher (Gerolsteiner)

    3. Fillipo Pozzato (Liquigas)

    4. Kim Kirchen (Columbia)

    5. Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne)

  • 05:16 PM: Riders still crossing the line

    Small groups are continuing to dribble across the finish. There will be some big gaps in the GC tonight.

  • 05:17 PM: Most favorites made that front group

    Evans, Valverde, Sastre and Frank Schleck were among those in the elite front group that finished right behind Sanchez.

  • 05:19 PM: Kim Kirchen retains yellow jersey

    Columbia has successfully defended its race lead.

  • 05:26 PM: At the finish

    1. Luis Leon Sanchez (Caisse d'Epargne)

    2. Stefan Schumacher (Gerolsteiner)

    3. Fillip Pozzato (Liquigas)

    4. Kim Kirchen (Columbia)

    5. Alejandro Valverede (Caisse d'Epargne)

    6. Oscar Pereiro (Caisse d'Epargne)

    7. Samuel Sanchez (Euskatel-Euskadi)

    8. Josep Jufre (Saunier Duval)

    9. Christian Vande Velde (Garmin-Chipotle)

    10. Andy Schleck (CSC)

    11. Juan Jose Cobo (Saunier Duval)

    12. Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto)

    13. Riccardo Ricco (Saunier Duval)

    14. Mateo Carrara (Quick Step)

    15. Denis Menchov (Rabobank)

    16. Frank Schleck (CSC)

    17. Stijn Devolder (Quick Step)

    18. Carlos Sastre (CSC)

    19. Tadej Valjavec (AG2R)

  • 05:28 PM: Over and out

    Thanks for following stage 7 live with VeloNews.com. We'll have a complete report with full results and photos up shortly. Tune in tomorrow morning for another good day of action.

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