Stage 7 saw the Tour de France head to the high mountains for the first time this year as the race moved to The Pyrénées. The first part of the 162.5KM stage was relatively flat, with the road kicking up at 117KM for the 4th Category climb of the Côte de Capvern - a 7.7KM climb at an average gradient of 3.1%.
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Paul Voß made it into the move of the day, along with 28 other riders. However, the fireworks for the day were saved for the Col d'Aspin, who's 1490M summit was just 7KM from the stage finish.
Koni was well-placed in the top group all day, but unfortunately was dropped just 1KM from the summit of the final climb of the day.
There was extra excitement on the stage also when the red kite inflatable arch suddenly deflated as the main front group tried to pass, causing a lot of confusion and a complicated review of times for those riders involved.
BORA - ARGON 18 sprinter Sam Bennett was able to come home safely in the grupetto, together with his minder Shane Archbold, maintaining his 197th place on GC.
When the riders got to the hotel they found they had each received a free gift in the form of a mini speaker, from race organiser ASO.
Tomorrow is another long day in the mountains and another chance for Patrickto try something at the front of the race.
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