A Double Double For Chavanel

The Progress Report
The 165.5km seventh stage, from Tournus to Station des Rousses, began at 1.07pm. There were 187 riders at the sign on with Oroz (EUS) the only non-starter. The race featured six climbs: the cote de Aubepin (cat-3 at 51.5km), cote de Granges (cat-4 at 69km), cote de Arinthod (cat-3 at 84.5km), Barrage de Vouglans (cat-2 at 104km), col de la Croix de la Serra (cat-2 at 134.5km) and the final hill, the cote de Lamoura (161.5km) – the final ascent has double points.

Knees Becomes Virtual Leader
In the first kilometer Pineau (QST) attacked and was joined by Knees (MRM), Dumoulin (COF), Hondo (LAM) and one of yesterday’s attackers Perez Moreno (EUS). Quickstep policed the escape, Bbox missed the move and thus led the peloton for much of the first 25km but then O’Grady (SAX) slotted into his usual position at the front of the peloton. After 28km, the peloton was 8’00” behind the escapees. Knees was the virtual leader of the Tour. The average speed for the opening hour was the fastest yet in the 2010 Tour: 45.8km/h. At 39km, the peloton was behind by 8’45” – this was the maximum gain.
After 57km, two Bbox riders raced to the front of the bunch and dramatically increased the pace, quickly reducing the advantage of the escapees. The average speed for the second hour was 34.5km/h.

Cancellara In Trouble On Fifth Climb
Five Bbox riders led the peloton to the base of the Barrage de Vouglans, 5’05” behind the escapees. The bunch crest the fourth summit at 4’00”. The first to drop from the lead group were Dumoulin and Perez Moreno. With 10km to climb on the Col de la Croix de la Serra, Voeckler and Gautier (BTL) attacked. They were chased down by Lloyd (OLO), Perget (GCE) and Valls Ferri (FOT) and with 8km to climb, this group of five was 45” behind Hondo, Knees and Pineau. The yellow jersey lost contact with the peloton several times going up the fifth ascent but he returned before the top but he would crack on the final climb and surrender his yellow jersey.
Pineau and Hondo led over the top then came a group of six – Chavanel, Voeckler, Perget, Cunego and Lloyd at 50”. They were followed by Nocentini (ALM), Moinard (COF) and Martinez (EUS) at 2’00”. The peloton was at 2’15”.

Chavanel Races Back Into Yellow With Another Stage Win
Pineau became the lone stage leader with 17km to go. At the foot of the final climb Chavanel caught his team-mate but raced ahead almost immediately. No one would see him again until after the finish. Valls Ferri (FOT) was the revelation of the stage, racing past every other rider and riding in second place for the final 12km. He would finish second 57” behind the French stage winner. Voeckler’s group changed composition several times on the final climb, losing Lloyd and gaining Moreno (both OLO), Garate, Perget and Fedrigo would compose the chase group and they would ride together to the finish.
None of the favorites for the title attacked each other, unless you count last year’s 10th place finisher Le Mevel (FDJ) who tried a brief surge only to be caught by the group of Contador, Evans, Schleck, Armstrong et al before rolling into the line as part of the peloton that was 1’47” behind the stage winner and new yellow jersey, Sylvain Chavanel.
Cancellara finished 84th, 14’12” behind Chavanel. His time as race leader is over. It’s a new phase of the 2010 and France is in command for another day at least.