The break away group of Westra, Ligthart, Timmer, Didier, Szmyd and Guillou are accompanied by Feillu, Frank and Lemoine. The escapees crest all categorized cols and Lighart is smartest and takes all mountain points, making him the new mountain leader.
Once at the tough closing circuit the break away is reeled in. Attacks galore, but no rider escapes. It all boils down to the steep closing climb in Biot Sophia Antipolis. Tom-Jelte Slagter looks sharp and counters all attacks and in the end he outsprints the rest with ease. Rui Costa comes in second, Betancur third. The Colombian stays in the lead.
With 5 kilometres left the tarmac welcomes former GC leader Germaint Thomas and the Sky leader can forget a about a good overall result.
Paris-Nice 2014 Results 7th stage
1. Tom-Jelte Slagter (The Netherlands)
2. Rui Costa (Portugal) s.t.
3. Carlos Alberto Betancur (Colombia) s.t.
4. José Joaquin Rojas Gil (Spain) s.t.
5. Arthur Vichot (France) s.t.
6. Tony Gallopin (France) s.t.
7. Stefan Denifl (Austria ) s.t.
8. Zdenek Stybar (Czech Republic) s.t.
9. Jakob Fuglsang (Denmark) s.t.
10.Peter Velits (Slovakia) s.t.
GC after 7th stage
1. Carlos Alberto Betancur (Colombia)
2. Rui Costa (Portugal) + 0.14
3. Zdenek Stybar (Czech Republic) + 0.26
4. José Joaquin Rojas Gil (Spain) + 0.27
5. Jakob Fuglsang (Denmark) + 0.29
6. Arthur Vichot (France) + 0.31
7. Cyril Gautier (France) + 0.35
8. Stefan Denifl (Austria) s.t
9. Peter Velits (Slovakia) + 0.39
10.Simon Spilak (Slovakia) s.t.
Paris-Nice 2014 stage 7: Images
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