Third top ten of the week for Remco Evenepoel after another strong ride.
Stage seven of the Tour de France took the peloton through lovely Bretagne, the land of Asterix and Obelix, but also of the great Bernard Hinault – the only man to have one each Grand Tour multiple times – whose hometown of Yffiniac was visited by the riders during the stage.
On the menu, a double ascent of Mûr-de-Bretagne (2km, 6.9%), which returned as a finish for the first time in history. There, a searing pace pushed by some of the GC teams quickly reduced the peloton to some 20-odd riders, who continued at this fast tempo on the descent. Thanks to the excellent job of his Soudal Quick-Step teammates, Remco was well positioned at the start of the last climb, having avoided a crash that took place in the second part of the bunch, just as they were approaching the early ramps of the Mûr-de-Bretagne.
One kilometer and a half from the line, the white jersey wearer moved to the front of the group to control the pace and still had something left to sprint for a good result, taking sixth at the end of the stage won by Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates). For his effort, Evenepoel was rewarded by returning to second place on the general classification of the Tour de France ahead of the weekend, which should be one for the sprinters.
Photo credit: ©Dario Belingheri / Getty Images
