Tour de France 2023 – Analysing the contenders
Tour de France 2023 - the definitive guide
How to watch stages 5, 6 and 7 of the Tour de France
Tour de France: Tadej Pogacar claws back time with victory at Cauterets-Cambasque
Hello and welcome to Cyclingnews' live coverage of stage 7 of the 2023 Tour de France, 169.9km from Mont-de-Marsan to Bordeaux.
Riders are getting ready for the start in Mont-de-marsan with neutralised racing set to get underway at 13:15 CEST and our official start to be taken at 13:30 CEST.
Two days of Pyrenean punishment are behind us and today should be another chance for the sprinters are we head north, at times alongside the river Garonne, and into the finish in Bordeaux for the first time in 13 years.
The racing has been heating up throughout this incredible first week of racing, and it's actually heating up on the ground at the race in Mont-de-Marsan.
Take a look at Danish national champion, Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek), doing the media rounds with an ice vest on to regulate his temperature before the action kicks off.
Both of the bunch sprints at this year's Tour have been won by Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) who has combined perfectly with lead-out extraordinaire, Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck), to come into the final few hundred metres a the head of the bunch, allowing the Belgian to hold off the oncoming charge behind.
Will anyone be able to stop them and the rest of the well-oiled Alpecin lead-out on an incredibly flat day?
Here's an early look at our new yellow jersey, Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma), as he prepares for stage 7 outside the Jumbo team bus as spotted by Stephen Farrand, one of the great Cyclingnews' team on the ground at the Tour.
He took the jersey yesterday after Jai Hindley (Bora-hansgrohe) was dropped on the Tourmalet, but did lose time to his key rival Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates).
Apart from the obvious hot and sunny weather, there is also meant to be a cross-tailwind for the majority of the route which should play a part in positioning and ensuring, if any splits form, you are on the correct side of them. Teams will need to be attentive throughout the day.
We're underway from the neutral start, the départ fictif, with big crowds already lining the roads in Mont-de-Marsan. The town has a rich history of sport with a with-known team in both rugby and football sharing the same name: Stade Montois.
We're in the former home of cycling legend, Luis Ocaña, the Spaniard who won the 1973 Tour de France and was a key rival for Eddy Merckx. Read more about his history and the contenders for the day in Stephen Farrand's great preview of the day's racing below.
Cavendish growing in confidence as Tour de France sprint chances return - Stage 7 preview
169.9KM TO GO
We're underway on stage 7 of the Tour de France! We had no breakaway for over 100km on the last flat day, stage 4. Hopefully, we will see more riders chancing their hand at making the break today.
Four riders have somewhat of a split for now, one from TotalEnergies, Arkéa-Samsic, Movistar and Uno-X. They are looking around, however, so may not be totally comfortable.
Nelson Oliveira (Movistar) and Jonas Abrahamsen (Uno-X) have knocked off their effort already with Simon Guglielmi (Arkéa-Samsic) and Mathieu Burgaudeau (TotalEnergies) staying with the move for now.
Shake of the head for Guglielmi as Burgaudeau is the next to stop trying. Both the Frenchman had conversations on the radio, but were clearly given different instructions.
Right well that's the break of the day gone in just Guglielmi, who is probably not best pleased with his sports directors leaving him out there on his own. The gap to our lone leader is approaching three minutes already.
Vingegaard is sitting calmly at the back of the relaxed peloton and waving to the cameras. Here he is at the startline with the other key protagonist of this year's Tour.
Today won't be a day for them, however, with a bunch sprint well on the cards.
150KM TO GO
Guglielmi, thankfully, has a tailwind as the only thing to help him on a day where he'll be all alone for a number of hours. He was in the break on the opening stage of this year's Tour as well and now has a gap of 6:31 over the peloton.
The teams with big sprinters are taking up their positions at the head of the peloton, but without any impetus as a solo breakaway rider shouldn't be any threat to their ambitions for the day.
Happy birthday to Lars van den Berg (Groupama-FDJ). The 25-year-old Ducthman is on Tour de France debut in this year's race.
Fêter son anniversaire sur le Tour ✔️Happy birthday Lars! 25 ans 🎂 pic.twitter.com/UmQpdCiQbFJuly 7, 2023
Lotto-Dstny have clear ambitions of winning this stage as they are the team most prominent at the front of the peloton. Caleb Ewan will be their man for the final sprint, and the Australian has come the closest to beating Philipsen so far. On stage 3 he was third, but finished runner-up on stage 4 and was only beaten to the line by half a wheel.
Can the Australian go one better today for his sixth Tour de France victory?
130KM TO GO
Guglielmi's gap at the front has been reduced to 4:07, not by any real acceleration, however, as the peloton is still completely calm with Alpecin-Deceuninck and Lotto-Dstny swapping turns.
Here's another look at the day's very flat profile. There is one KOM point available at the top of the Côte de Béguey (1.2km at 4.4%), but that is far too easy to have an effect on our sprint field here.
Guglielmi is chatting away to those on race vehicles alongside him at the front of the race as he toils away is pursuit of the combativity prize and gold race number for tomorrow.
Here's an update from the CPA, the union that works to protect riders among other things, that today's 3km rule will be enforced earlier at 3.6km before two trick bends arrive into Bordeaux.
The GC teams will race until this point before hopefully clearing the way for the lead-out trains to take up the mantle at the front and battle it out in the final sprint.
Today, on behalf of the riders we have requested the jury of commissaires to obtain the last 3 KLM rule at 3klm600 before 2 tricky bends. Thank you @UCI_cycling and @LeTour for accepting our request for the safety of the riders 🙏👏👏#SafetyFirst pic.twitter.com/YrTgLxzjQvJuly 7, 2023
Today's finishing City, Bordeaux, has been visited in the Tour 85 times and is only second only to Paris in terms of appearances. We haven't been here for years, however, as the last time it was used was in 2010.
On that occasion, the sprint was won by a certain Mark Cavendish (Astana Qazaqstan) ahead of Julian Dean, Alessandro Petacchi, Robbie McEwen and Óscar Freire. On that day, the Manx Missile was still at the peak of his powers and was able to even enjoy a look back at the field as he eased to his fourth of five victories at the 2010 Tour.
100KM TO GO
Thankfully there is a tailwind aiding the riders in their relaxed journey to Bordeaux today. It's time for a feed as the musettes and bidons begin to be passed throughout the pack.
Guglielmi's advantage has dropped to 2:48 with Lotto, Alpecin and now Astana Qazaqstan all putting riders on the front to help chase.
We're closing in on our intermediate sprint in Grignols which should act as a warm up for the grand finale in Bordeaux. Guglielmi should mop up the full 20 points available, but who in peloton will go for points to add to their green jersey classification total?
Here we go! Van der Poel hits the front for the lead-out with Philipsen on his wheel and Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek), but it's Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Circus-Wanty) who takes the remaining top prize of 17 points over the rise to the intermediate sprint.
Philipsen came over in third in the green jersey and Coquard in fourth. Girmay may feature in today's final, but tomorrow's more lumpy stage into Limoges should suit him better.
As the pace kicks up and our solo escapee's advantage drops below a minute, here's a look at Guglielmi on his solo adventure of the day.
Nans Peters (AG2R-Citroën) and Pierre Latour (TotalEnergies) have decided to move off the front as we enter the final 75km of racing on stage 7.
We've now got three Frenchman at the front as the counter-attackers have joined their compatriot. Fabio Jakobsen (Soudal-Quick Step) is back within the cars having gone for a nature break as the peloton sped up.
It sounds as if we're going to have a quite technical finish into Bordeaux, with people on the ground describing how the run in will be completed with narrow roads, cobbles, road furniture and constantly changing widths of barriers setting up a dangerous finish. Hopefully, everyone stays upright and we don't have similar carnage in the final to stage 4.
60KM TO GO
Our three leaders have rebuilt their advantage to 1:16 as the stage is approaching its latter moments. Tim 'El Tractor' Declercq has hit the front for Soudal-Quick Step and will undoubtably be beginning his huge workload for the day all for Jakobsen's sprint ambitions.
Cavendish is towards the back of the peloton and is looking for his team car. He's stopping at the side of the road now with two teammates waiting up for him. It was for a wheel change and he's chosen to stay on the specific race bike setup for today. Take a look at that special Willier bike below.
Mark Cavendish's Wilier Filante: Is this bike going to make history?
There's some incredibly narrow roads for the breakaway trio as they pass through the town of Langon and cross over the Garonne river.
Van der Poel has had a bike change onto a wonderful white bike at the back of the peloton. He'll chase back alongside the Astana trio containing Cavendish.
50KM TO GO
The front of the peloton is awakening from a quiet start with teams beginning to line up in colour order at the head of the peloton. As the pace increases, it will become more and more difficult to move up in position.
Cavendish and Van der Poel have safely returned to the bunch as they approach the only categorised climb of the day, the Côte de Béguey (1.2km at 4.4%).
Van Aert and Van der Poel have just shared a nice chat at the back of the bunch. They could both feature in today's finale in different roles, with the Belgian going for the sprint and the Dutchman performing the lead-out for Philipsen.
Guglielmi was dropped on the climb by his two French compatriots and his solo day in the break has ended. He’s been reabsorbed now by the bunch, but Latour and Peters still have a 1:06 advantage.
Here's a look at our remaining two escapees from the day's racing on stage 7 of the Tour de France, Latour and Peters flying the French flag on a sunny Friday.
Dsm-firmenich are showing their faces in the wind at the front now for their sprinter, Sam Welsford. They've not got the first two bunch sprints right by any stretch of the imagination and will be desperately wanting to give him a chance at hitting out for glory in his debut Tour. It's been a good week for Australia already so he'll be hoping for some good luck.
25KM TO GO
Latour and Peters are doing a great job for now and holding their advantage at 1:11. They still shouldn't be a threat come the finish in Bordeaux, but the peloton won't want to mess around.
Cyclingnews' Stephen Farrand is at the finish in Bordeaux and you can see in his tweet that we have some dreaded barriers with feet somehow making it into the final 2km. hopefully these won't play any role in the final, but it's not what you want to see at a bike race, let alone the biggest one in the world.
I don’t understand why the feet of the barriers in the final 2km are in the road and not on the kerb. Any idea @BriSmithy @HansenAdam ? pic.twitter.com/2L9xlL42wqJuly 7, 2023
Graphics of the final 5km are showing a few roundabouts as they enter the famous French city. They will then turn back on themselves and cross the river Garonne inside the final 4km before they ride north along the riverside and finish adjacent to the Place des Quinconces - Bordeaux’s most famous square, on what should be an incredibly high-speed run to the line.
Only 36 seconds remain of an advantage for our two remaining breakaway riders.
15KM TO GO
It's 33 degrees at the finish in Bordeaux and already heating up in the peloton as the almighty fight for position is about to continue. Every team will want front position for each narrowing of the road and positioning will be vital in the finale, with so many chances to lose your lead-out's wheel with cobbles, turns and chicane all featuring.
This is one of Cavendish's remaining chances to overtake Eddy Merckx's 34 stage wins and sit alone atop the record for wins at the Tour in his final appearance at La Grand Boucle before retiring. Cees Bol (Astana Qazaqstan) will be his last man in the final and will likely want to position him onto the wheel of either Philipsen of Jakobsen.
Can the Manx Missile get it done in Bordeaux? We're about to find out with 12km to go.
Splits are forming in the middle of the bunch. We've got single file lines behind the block of sprinters teams and GC teams lining the head of the race. An uneven roundabout has lost some of the sprinters vital positions, even this far out from the finish.
Our two stragglers are still toiling away out in front, but the bunch is really starting to wind up for the third sprint finish of this year's Tour de France. 26 seconds is the gap now. Ineos, UAE and Jumbo are all doing a tremendous job of looking after GC hopefuls for now and remember, their finish line with be the moved 3.6km line, after which is where if any incident or crash occurs, all riders will be given the same time.
We've had our first big bottleneck of the run in as the teams are squeezed into a very tight gap, not for the last time today. The riders won't want to see a roundabout for a while after this finale. Jayco AlUla are set up nicely for now with Dylan Groenewegen their option for the sprint.
5KM TO GO
Van Aert has dropped off the back of the peloton and will play no part in today's sprint. Unsurprising after two long days in the break and the incredible effort he put in yesterday.
Latour has been patted on the back by Peters and he now leads solo at the head of the race.
The GC riders have successfully crossed their safety marker at 3.6km and will hopefully now move out the way and let the big-men get to work in this difficult finish. Vingegaard is in second wheel.
Jakobsen looks in great form even after two days and a heavy crash on stage 4. Philipsen is also right towards the front as they cross the bridge and the river Garonne.
Philipsen has two riders to aid him and all the rest have one. Jakobsen, Groenwegen, Ewan, Bauhaus, Pedersen and Meeus are all sat behind Philipsen and waiting to strike.
Alpecin-Deceuninck are set up absolutely perfectly with their incredible train. Can anyone overcome them and Philipsen?
All the sprinters are there, this is gonna be a hectic finale!
1KM TO GO
Cavendish is being moved up by Bol in the final kilometre.
Welsford has been dropped off onto the wheel and here we go the finale sprint launches!
Van der Poel is at the front and leading Philipsen perfectly, when will they go?
STAGE FINISH
Cavendish hits the front but Philipsen breaks his heart and overtakes the Manx Missile at the dying moment. So close to 35, but not to be as the Belgian flyer takes his third stage in the 2023 Tour de France.
Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) wins stage 7 of the Tour de France.
Philipsen had to react once Cavendish took a flyer and hit out for glory. Van der Poel had hit the front slightly early and the Belgian waited for the perfect moment to slip back into the Brits wheel and launch his own sprint as the line approached. Cavendish second and Girmay third.
Here's what stage winner Jasper Philipsen had to say after completing his hattrick of wins at the 2023 Tour de France on only stage 7.
"I think we can be proud enough on our team achievement, like without them it would never be possible to get this third stage win already so, I'm just really proud of them, how they worked together and how we find each other in the final to do everything we can and that leads to success. I'm super happy and proud."
"I think were very well grouped in the final 3k and even Soren [Kragh Andersen] did an amazing pull and we still had Jonas [Rickaert] and Mathieu [van der Poel] there so I was always in a good wheel and never had to do a big effort before I could launch my sprint and that's how we win."
This is what he said in response to if he could believe he'd already won three stages of the 2023 Tour de France:
"No. If you told me this one week ago I would think your crazy, but so far it's a dream for us, a dream Tour and we just continue and hopefully we can add another one but I think from now I'm looking to Paris also."
"He [Cavendish] was really strong and I would have also loved to have seen him win, but I think everybody and for sure he will keep on trying and he's up there, in good condition, so it will be hard."
He also extended his firm lead in the green jersey completion:
"From now on I think it's a goal as well to try and take this to Paris, but we're only one week far so it's still a long and tough Tour and we'll see. I just enjoy the moment."
Here's the full results of today's bunch sprint, courtesy of FirstCycling.
Here's what Mark Cavendish had to say after his disappointing second-place finish on stage 7 of the Tour de France:
"I was in a quite good position, might've looked like I was far back, but I was okay in where I wanted to be. It's a long straight finish. Cees [Bol] had moved me up with good speed into the last k[ilometre]. I was on the right wheels and then yeah I kicked, a little earlier than I'd liked, but actually, it was about the same time as I did in 2010."
Cavendish then revealed how he had issues with his gearing come the final sprint, which hindered some of his ability to sprint.
"But once I kicked, I started, my gears jumped from the 11 to the 12. I had to sit down. The cadence just whacks up, then it goes back to the 11 then I try and stand up again then it goes back to the 12 and you sit down."
He's talking about the sprockets on his cassette there with the 11tooth being his biggest gear and the one he'd want to be in for the final sprint. With some of the bumps in the final, Cavendish's gears would've jumped from his biggest gear into the one below it which meant his cadence increased and it was harder to put the power down.
The Manx Missile was forced to have a back wheel change with 40km long to go and even though both cassettes on his original and spare back wheel are meant to be set at the exact same place, it may have been a fraction off causing his chain to jump onto a different sprocket.
"It was nothing you can do except kind of hope. I'm bitterly disappointed there, like majorly disappointed, but we keep on trying you know. Again you know, saw an improvement in how the boys were so you can be positive with it."
"What can I do, I'm happy. I'm sorry I can't be more happy about it, I'm a bit disappointed."
Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) has taken, with this, his fifth straight win in a Tour de France bunch sprint. That record extending from the 2022 edition of the race into the 2023 Tour. He's well established now his dominance over the rest of the sprint field in the pro peloton and with that well-oiled Alpecin machine working non-stop to deliver him in the right spot, its no surprise.
Today however was all about him and his ability to deliver once Cavendish flew by him on the right side of the road. Will we see anyone else win a bunch sprint at the 2023 Tour de France?
What's next?
We may get an early answer to whether Philipsen can finally be beaten as we have a day that could be for the fast men from Libourne to Limoges across 200.7km. They will have to contend with three categorised climbs in the final 70 kilometres, however, the Côte de Champs-Romain (2.8km at 5.2%), Côte de Masmont (1.3km at 5.5%) and the Côte de Condat-sur-Vienne (1.2km at 5.4%) before the finish in Limoges.
You may remember Bryan Coquard (Cofidis) coming painfully close to beating Marcel Kittel in a finish in Limoges in 2016, the last time it was in the Tour. Le Coq will be trying his hardest to go one better on a stage that suits him perfectly tomorrow.
Look to see the teams with fast riders more accustomed to climbing, Intermarché for Girmay, Cofidis for Coquard, Trek for Pedersen and maybe even Jumbo for Van Aert set a high pace on the climbs to try and drop the purer sprinters. Sadly for them, Philipsen is far from poor at getting over hills and Alpecin could also let Van der Poel sprint if the green jersey does get dropped. It should be an interesting finale.
That wraps things up for Cyclingnews' live coverage of stage 7 of the Tour de France in what was another thrilling bunch sprint. Check back tomorrow for live coverage of stage 8 and make sure to check out our whole host of other content coming out from the race. Also read Laura Weislo's full report and see the growing photo gallery from the day's action below.
Tour de France: Philipsen denies Cavendish, completes hat-trick in Bordeaux
