The expectations were high before taking on today's seventh stage of Tour de France stretching 165 kilometers from Tournus and Station de Rousses where the peloton for the first time this year took on the challenges of the higher mountains. Christian Knees (Milram), Danilo Hondo (Lampre), Jerome Pineau (QuickStep) and Ruben Perez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) made a serious attempt of taking advantage of the possible truce among the overall favorites by launching away in an early breakaway.

After having worked up a lead of more than eight minutes, the gap started shrinking. On the second last climb, a small group containing Thomas Voeckler (Bbox) escaped which instantly increased the pace of the pack. The heat combined with high pace soon became too much for Saxo Bank's leader of the race, Fabian Cancellara who reluctantly was dropped from the pack more than once. The powerful Swiss put in a fierce and stubborn effort to keep the leader's jersey and bounced in and out of the back of the peloton.

Suddenly, Sylvain Chavanel (Quick Step) leaped away from the field in an attempt to reclaim the leader's jersey and soon he passed his teammate, Jerome Pineau and was now alone in the front of the race. With 17 kilometers to go, bunches of riders were dropped. Including Fabian Cancellara who lost the jersey surrounded by teammates, Jens Voigt and Matti Breschel.

No one was able to catch Sylvain Chavanel (Quick Step) and he celebrated a stunning stage win crossing the finish line where the pack including Andy was about 1½ minutes behind. Andy is now fourth overall and is leading the youth competition of the race and wearing the white jersey.

”It was a very tough day and maybe even tougher than I and the team expected. I decided to stay with Contador (Alberto) and Armstrong (Lance) to study how they were doing and honestly, they looked like they were suffering a bit. I am obviously looking forward to fighting them in the higher mountains,” said the holder of white jersey, Andy after today's mountain test in France.

Tomorrow, an even harder stage is waiting for the peloton with an uphill finish on the dreaded climb to Morzine-Avoriaz where the overall favorites are expected to attack.