Cavendish First, Ciolek Second... Columbia's Domination Continues

The Progress Report _ The 172.5km seventh stage of the 2008 Tour de France began at 1.11pm with 170 riders still in the race. The non-starter was Manuel Beltran (LIQ). The day featured four climbs in the first half of the stage – the cat-4 cote de Loupiac (at 9km), the cat-3 cote de Macarou (36.5km), the cat-3 cote de la Guionie (52.5km) and the cat-3 cote du Port de la Besse (70.5km). There were also three intermediate sprints which were in La Slvetat-Peyrales (57.5km), Carmeaux (85km) and Rabastens (134.5km). _ _ Establishing The Escape _ Almost as soon as the flag fell to signal the start of racing seven riders attacked. Again the effervescent Garmin rider Frischkorn was part of the early action. The others involved were: Cheula (BAR) Rosseler (QST), Riblon (ALM), Terpstra (MRM), Vaugrenard (FDJ) and Auge (COF). After four kilometers it was all over. A handful of hopefuls also tried to escape but the bunch refused to let anyone go in the first hour. The average speed was 45.6km/h. On the approach to the second climb, Lefevere (BTL) gained a slight advantage and pushed on with his escape. At the second intermediate sprint he was 1’30” ahead of a counter attacking trio: Txurruka (EUS), Pineau (BTL) and Riblon (ALM). Then Columbia took control of the peloton and allowed the escapees to gain time. The best-placed of the escapees at the start of the stage was Pineau, ranked 30th on GC, 4’32” behind Kirchen. _ _ Pineau Becomes Virtual Leader _ Lefevere continued on alone over the final climb and then eased up and waited for the counter-attackers. They caught him at the 84km mark At the sprint in Carmaux the points were won by Riblon, Lefevere and Txurruka. The peloton was behind by 4’25”. The average speed for the second hour was 40.8km/h. The maximum gain for the escapees was 5’15” at the 110km mark. _ _ The Chase Begins… _ With 60km to go, Credit Agricole, Rabobank and Liquigas riders came to the front of the peloton to try and reel in the escapees. In Gaillac (55km from the finish) there was a crash that involved Voigt, Ciolek and Ricco. The winner of stage six lost about a minute to the peloton but, with the support of three Saunier Duval team-mates returned to the peloton after a five kilometer chase. The effort of the Credit Agricole team quickly diminished the advantage of Pineau’s group and, by the final intermediate sprint, the four led by just 50 seconds. _ _ Attacking Finale _ With 33km to go, Auge and Bichot attacked the peloton, they were chased down by Terpstra (MRM) who then insisted with his escape: 30km from the finish Pineau’s quartet led the Milram rider by 17” and the peloton by 32”. Liquigas has seven riders at the front of the peloton and, 25km from the line, they caught Terpstra and Pineau’s group was 50” ahead. With 20km to go, the four led by 45”. Pineau attacked with 13km to go, dropping Riblon and Lefevere but Txurruka was able to follow. With 10km to go, the two led the peloton by 40”. _ _ Cavendish: “Fastest Man In The World…!” _ The Liquigas team dominated the head of the peloton in the final kilometers but, once Pineau and Txurruka were caught 3.5km from the finish, Quickstep and Columbia took over. They led all the way to the final kilometer when Quickstep took charge leading Steegmans out for the sprint. The Belgian started the sprint with 350m to go but then Mark Cavendish hit overdrive and came from behind Ciolek to burst into the lead 50m from the line. He beat his German team-mate by about four bike lengths. Kirchen finished 41st and will keep the yellow jersey for another day. There was no reshuffle at the top of the general classification.