Tour of Britain 2018 Stage 7: Ian Stannard solos to victory, Julian Alaphilippe still leader

The Tour of Britain's 7th stage travels on a flat to rolling course of 215.6 kilometres from West Bridgford to Mansfield. Ian Stannard solos to victory, while Julian Alaphilippe retains the leader's jersey. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 7th stage 2018 Tour of Britain

1. Ian Stannard (gbr)
2. Nils Politt (ger) + 0.59
3. Giovanni Carboni (ita) + 3.09
4. Mark McNally (gbr) + 3.54
5. Emils Liepins (lat) + 4.04
6. Patrick Bevin (nzl) s.t.
7. Ethan Hayter (gbr) s.t.
8. Paolo Simion (ita) s.t.
9. Andrew Tennant (gbr) s.t.
10. Nils Eekhoff (nld) s.t.

GC after the 7th stage
1. Julian Alaphilippe (fra)
2. Wout Poels (nld) + 0.17
3. Primoz Roglic (slo) + 0.33
4. Patrick Bevin (nzl) + 0.46
5. Bob Jungels (lux) + 0.51
6. Jasha Sütterlin (ger) + 0.58
7. Neilson Powless (usa) + 1.10
8. Dmitry Strakhov (rus) + 1.24
9. Chris Hamilton (aus) + 1.28
10. Pascal Eenkhoorn (nld) + 1.34

Race report
Attacks are coming thick and fast from the gun, but the peloton is grouped when it reaches today’s first KOM climb at km 20. After the crest Ian Stannard opens up a gap and Nils Politt is the first rider to bridge across. Mark McNally, Giovanni Carboni and Alex Paton hook on later. The five put more than 8 minutes into the main group before Quick-Step leader Julian Alaphilippe wakes up. Carboni was just over 8 minutes down on GC at the start of the day.

Paton moves into the sprint jersey before he stops his efforts to wait for the peloton.

The gap sits at 4 minutes with 22 kms out when Stannard accelerates. Politt jumps to his wheel and the front group is down to two. Still too crowded as far as Stannard is concerned and the Brit drops the German with 17 kms out. Politt doesn’t give in, but after an inspired chase he cracks with 6 kms remaining.

Stannard solos to victory, while Julian Alaphilippe retains the GC lead.