Tour de Suisse 2018 Stage 7: Nairo Quintana climbs to victory, Richie Porte retains leader

The 7th stage of the Tour de Suisse comes down to the 29 kilometres climb to the line in Arosa. Nairo Quintana strikes on the early slopes, gobbles up the breakaway, and climbs to victory. Richie Porte finishes in third to hold on to the yellow jersey, while Quintana climbs to second place overall with Wilco Kelderman now in third. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 7th stage 2018 Tour de Suisse

1. Nairo Quintana (col)
2. Jakob Fuglsang (den) + 0.22
3. Richie Porte (aus) s.t.
4. Gregor Mühlberger (aut) + 0.38
5. Wilco Kelderman (nld) s.t.
6. Enric Mas (spa) s.t.
7. Igor Anton (spa) s.t.
8. Steven Kruijswijk (nld) + 0.50
9. Mikel Landa (spa) s.t.
10. Sam Oomen (nld) + 0.59

11. Simon Spilak (slo) + 1.08
14. Bauke Mollema (nld) + 1.21
19. Mathias Frank (swi) + 2.08
24. Ion Izagirre (spa) + 2.33

GC after the 7th stage
1. Richie Porte (aus)
2. Nairo Quintana (col) + 0.17
3. Wilco Kelderman (nld) + 0.52
4. Enric Mas (spa) + 0.53
5. Sam Oomen (nld) + 1.13
6. Jakob Fuglsang (den) + 1.28
7. Mikel Landa (spa) + 1.31
8. Steven Kruijswijk (nld) + 1.37
9. Simon Spilak (slo) + 1.48
10. Bauke Mollema (nld) + 2.26

Race report
Shortly after the start KOM leader Mark Christian, Michael Matthews, Eddie Dunbar, Koen Bouwman, Greg van Avermaet, Yves Lampaert, José Gonçalves, Michael Albasini, Simon Geschke, Silvan Dillier, Cyril Gautier, François Bidard, Oscar Gatto, Tom Leezer, Peter Koning, Tanel Kangert, Gorka Izagirre, Kristijan Koren, Gregor Mühlberger, Julien Bernard, Victor de la Parte, Igor Antón, Joe Dombrowski, Enrico Battaglin, Jan Polanc, Ben Swift, Stefan Denifl, Lilian Calmejane, Romain Sicard and Rein Taaramäe go clear. Christian takes maximum points on the Wasserfluh, thus securing his KOM victory in this year’s Tour de Suisse.

With a lead of 2 minutes the front group tackles the haul up to Arosa. Dombrowski heads out on his own. Once the peloton hits the climb Nairo Quintana goes on the attack. He gobbles up dropped riders and catches Dombrowksi with 16 kms left.

For kilometres Quintana et al are racing half a minute ahead of the group Porte. A string of former attackers are on the Colombian’s wheel.

On the steep sections with 5 kms left Porte goes after the Colombian, who drops his ‘followers’ to go solo. Fuglsang joins Porte on his chase, but they can’t make the catch. On the contrary, Quintana widens the gap when the climb flattens out just before Arosa. He wins the race 22 seconds ahead of Porte with Kelderman another 16 seconds further back. The Dutchman drops to third place overall as Quintana is the new number two, while Porte is still leader.