Steve Cummings of the Dimension Data won the 7th stage of the 2016 Tour de France in an attack out of the day’s breakaway to take a solo win in Lac de Payolle.
Attack Upon Attack
Two early breakaways failed until Cummings and 29 other riders went clear after 40km of racing. Due to the stress of the nearly constant attacks of the first 50km of racing, the peloton sat up and let the break go free, soon granting them a 5 minute lead. There were some big names in the escape group, with the yellow jersey race leader, Greg van Avermaet (BMC Racing) also present. With the stage ending after an ascent of the Col d’Aspin, the climbers in the breakaway like Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) and Navarro were definitely the favourites for the stage.
Cummings later bridged to an attack group with Daniel Navarro, Antoine Duchesne (Direct Energie) and Matti Breschel (Tinkoff) The attackers were about to be joined by nine others when Cummings counter attacked and went solo with 26km remaining.
Cummings held a consistent pace though Col d’Aspin and he was totally committed to the move, keeping his chasers 30 seconds back. In the end, Cummings was even able to get a little more advantage, crossing the line just more than a minute ahead of Daryl Impey.
“That was sweet. After what has already happened this week, it is just fantastic to have won,” said Cummings. “Of all my victories, I think this has to be my best one. I wasn’t confident in that big group and putting pressure on them, I thought, was my best option. The Aspin is also a climb that suits my characteristics. The group behind was obviously on the limit so I just carried on, as you do, and I was able to win. I am really happy for the team and thankful that they believe me. I hope that people are really starting to get that we are racing to put kids on bikes with Qhubeka, it just makes everything that much more special for us and has put the team on a high.”
Dimension Data Closes Out Strong Week
Cummings’ win marked another unbelievable day for Dimension Data, raising their win tally to 4 out of the first 7 stages, an incredible feat for what is still considered a ‘young’ World Tour team.
Dimension Data’s Mark Cavendish retained the lead in Green Jersey points competition too, ensuring two riders on the podium stage today.
Van Avermaet Extends G.C. Lead
Greg Van Avermaet put in an incredible ride on stage 7 to finish in fifth place, not only keeping his leader’s yellow jersey but increasing his lead in the General Classification. The Belgian now commands a 6’36” lead over Julian Alaphilippe (Etixx-Quick Step) heading into his third day in the yellow jersey, which sees a big day in the mountains on stage 8.
“I knew it would be hard to keep the jersey today. I made a smart move I think to go in the break,” said Van Avermaet. “It was a hard start and everybody wanted to go. We tried to control but at one point we were riding and they kept on jumping behind us and then I said maybe it’s better that I save my teammates again and I just go by myself. It kept the pressure off the team, they didn’t have to work that hard today and I keep yellow. It was a great day, it’s not often you see yellow in the breakaway It wasn’t easy but I gained some time. I look forward to tomorrow as it’s probably my last day in yellow. I will enjoy it, it’s a mountain stage so we will see how it goes.
“With yellow on the shoulders you always do a little bit more. I was really motivated to keep the jersey. I just wanted to go for it, the shape is really good and I’m happy to have another day.”
“We’ve probably done way more than we expected to in this first week of racing,” BMC Sport Director Jim Ochowicz added. “It’s a great beginning for us, in what is going to end up still being a real challenge for everybody going forward. We take it one day at a time and so far each day has been good. We’re very happy with the results so far and to go into the second week of racing with Greg Van Avermaet in the Yellow Jersey, it’s a good feeling.”
Contador Passes First Mountain Test
Alberto Contador finished safely in the bunch after the Tour de France’s first Pyrenéen stage, showing that he is recovering well from his injuries sustained earlier in the race. Even the collapse of the Flamme Rouge at the stage’s finish didn’t slow the Spanish team leader’s march to recovery, who rode conservatively today to test his legs before the big mountains.
Contador raced surrounded by his teammates, who made sure that the Spanish team leader was kept safe and supported ahead of the big climb. This being the first bigger mountain stage, Alberto’s aim would be to test his legs and see how well he was recovering from his injuries sustained from crashes in the first two stages.
From the stage’s finish, Alberto explained his strategy for the stage. “Today I had to be extremely conservative, something that is completely atypical to my style of racing. However today was a simple appetizer to what will take place tomorrow. The goal now is to recover and tackle these two days on the Pyrenees, with our sights set on the rest of the Tour.”
Looking back on the day’s racing, Alberto was pleased with how the strategy for the day worked out. “Although the stage had just one climb, the pace was high throughout the day. It also was a climb with strong winds. Despite the headwind, the average speed was high and that combined with the heat took its toll on some riders, so I decided to go to the back of the group. It’s true that this change in rhythm can create gaps but on the other hand you ride well protected from the wind. My body welcomed that and it saved the day for me.”
Adam Yates Moves Into White
Adam Yates of the Orica-Bike Exchange team took over the best young rider classification after he attacked from the group of favourites on the final descent. Unfortunately, Yates took the worst of the damage from the deflating flamme rouge banner, flipping over the bars just one kilometre from the line.
The Brit sustained some heavy bruising and needed four stitches in his chin but thankfully will be ok to continue the race.
“I attacked on the descent of the Col d’Aspin and started to take some risks to try and gain some time,” said Yates after the stage. “I didn’t see what actually happened, but clearly the banner fell into me as I was approaching the finish.”
“Obviously I’m disappointed because I was feeling good and things like that are not really supposed to happen. I have a few new cuts on my chin for the collection but otherwise I’m ok.”
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