Tour de France 2018 Stage 7: Sprint win Groenewegen, Van Avermaet cements GC lead

The Tour de France's 7th stage is this year's longest race. Dylan Groenewegen outsprints Fernando Gaviria and Peter Sagan at the end of the 231 kilometres race. Greg Van Avermaet retains maillot jaune. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 7th stage 2018 Tour de France

1. Dylan Groenewegen (nld)
2. Fernando Gaviria (col) s.t.
3. Peter Sagan (svk) s.t.
4. Arnaud Démare (fra) s.t.
5. Christophe Laporte (fra) s.t.
6. John Degenkolb (ger) s.t.
7. Daryl Impey (rsa) s.t.
8. André Greipel (ger) s.t.
9. Andrea Pasqualon (ita) s.t.
10. Mark Cavendish (gbr) s.t.

GC after the 7th stage
1. Greg Van Avermaet (bel)
2. Geraint Thomas (gbr) + 0.06
3. Tejay van Garderen (usa) + 0.08
4. Julian Alaphilippe (fra) + 0.09
5. Philippe Gilbert (bel) + 0.15
6. Bob Jungels (lux) + 0.21
7. Rigoberto Uran (col) + 0.48
8. Alejandro Valverde (spa) + 0.54
9. Rafal Majka (pol) + 0.55
10. Jakob Fuglsang (den) + 0.56

11. Richie Porte (aus) s.t.
12. Mikel Landa (spa) + 0.58
13. Adam Yates (gbr) + 1.05
14. Chris Froome (gbr) s.t.
16. Vincenzo Nibali (ita) + 1.11
17. Primoz Roglic (slo) + 1.20
18. Bauke Mollema (nld) + 1.21
19. Tom Dumoulin (nld) + 1.26
20. Steven Kruijswijk (nld) + 1.29
21. Daniel Martin (irl) + 1.30
23. Romain Bardet (fra) + 1.48
25. Ilnur Zakarin (rus) + 2.05
27. Nairo Quintana (col) + 2.13

Race report
At first, Thomas Degand is the only rider interested to be in the break. The Walloon goes solo after 4 kms, but after a 15 kms stint he stops his efforts. Then the race explodes. Oliver Naesen and Yves initiate another break. Thomas De Gendt, Edward Theuns, Julien Vermote, Lukas Pöstlberger, Tony Gallopin, Michael Gogl, Simon Gerrans and Arthur Vichot accompany them. LottoNL brings the break back.

Yoann Offredo is the second solo-attacker of the day. With 196 kms remaining the Frenchman is off to race to a maximum lead of more than 9 minutes.

With 100 kms the peloton splits in the cross winds. Cavendish, Kittel, Démare, Groenewegen and Laporte wind up in the second group. For 10 kms the pace is high and moments after the bunch regroups Offredo is reeled in.

Laurent Pichon is the third solo-attacker of the day. He races to a lead of 2 minutes before he is caught with 40 kms to go.

Maillot jaune Greg Van Avermaet takes a time bonus of 3 seconds at the last intermediate sprint.

In the ensuing bunch sprint Dylan Groenewegen outguns Fernand Gaviria, while Peter Sagan pips Arnaud Démare for third place.