First Thomas Degand jumped away from the pack and rode solo for a few km before returning to the bunch. A small group of strong riders immediately leapt away but were steadily pulled back by LottoNL-Jumbo, who clearly had designs on a stage win for their sprinter Dylan Groenewegen.
After Degand's failed breakaway attempt, it was Yoann Offredo who then went on the attack, riding 100 kilometres solo in the lead.
Yoann Offredo solo breakaway
The Frenchman was caught after the peloton formed echelons in another day of crosswinds. With the race all back together again a pedestrian pace was seen until the final 20 km, with the sprinters' teams blocking the road to prevent anyone jumping away. A bunch sprint in the streets of Chartres was then inevitable and was won by Dylan Groenewegen, with Pasqua once again mixing it with the best in the world. On Saturday the 8th stage will lead the peloton from Dreux to Amiens, where another sprint is expected.
Yoann Offredo - 100 km alone
Timothy Dupont sprinted to 15th on a damaged wheel:
"I am a little disappointed. I am looking for the good feeling after laryngitis. I was well placed in the sprint to start, but in a corner I was touched by a UAE rider. Because of that some spokes in my wheel broke. Luckily I did not crash. I recovered well and I was able to advance from position 50 to 15. But it was impossible to finish top 10. Without the trouble I had legs to finish top 5. Tomorrow a new opportunity awaits in Amiens."
