Sylvain Chavanel takes second stage and yellow jersey
Once again Sylvain Chavanel put down a great performance in this 97th Tour de France winning the stage and recapturing the yellow jersey. Jerome Pineau started another successful day for Team Quick Step with an early breakaway, defending his polka dot jersey. Together with the other escapees he gained a 9 minute lead on the hilly route. The group with favourites closed the gap quickly on the penultimate climb. In the descent of that climb Chavanel attacked from the peloton, looking for his second stage win. Pineau was alone in the front on the final climb, but team mate Chavanel bridged the gap and went on alone. Chavanel made it till the line in Station des Rousses, where he recaptured the yellow jersey also.
First mountains
The peloton headed to the mountains for the first time this Tour de France. Jerome Pineau was in the early breakaway with Dumoulin, Hondo, Knees and Perez Moreno to defend his polka dot jersey. In the peloton Pineau`s team mates did a really good job policing the breakaway. After a maximum lead of 9 minutes, the peloton acclerated a little. Our French rider Pineau reached the summits first in the mean while, gaining a lot of points for his polka dot jersey.
On the penultimate climb a small group launched a counter attack. Pineau, Hondo and Knees had a 45 second lead at that moment, behind the first chase group a group with Chavanel escaped from the bunch. Pineau left Hondo and Knees behind on the final climb. Chavanel attacked at the same moment, trying to bridge the gap with team mate Pineau. With 15 kilometres to go Chavanel caught Pineau, some moments later Chavanel left Pineau behind and went on solo for his second stage win.
Double double
On the final climb Valls chased Chavanel, but he didn`t came closer then 30 seconds. La Machine was too strong for his chasers, increasing the gap to one minute. Chavanel went on his way to his second stage win, 57 seconds in front of number 2 Valls. Besides his second stage win, Chavanel also recaptured the yellow jersey. A perfect gift for Wilfried Peeters, who is celebrating his birthday today. The group with all favourites, including a very strong Kevin de Weert, finished almost 2 minutes behind Chavanel.
Jerome Pineau finished in 44th, almost 4 minutes behind his winning team mate Chavanel. Pineau got the most combative prize and satys in the lead of the mountain classification. So tomorrow Team Quick Step starts again with the yellow and polka dot jersey in our team.
Result stage 
7
1. Sylvain Chavanel (Fra)
2. Rafael Valls (Esp) 0.57
3. Juan Manuel Garate (Esp) 1.27
26. Kevin de Weert (Bel) 1.42
44. Jerome Pineau (Fra) 3.55
63. Jurgen van de Walle (Bel) 6.04
75. Carlos Barredo (Esp) 10.02
96. Kevin Seeldraeyers (Bel) 14.12
123. Maarten Wynants (Bel) 19.14
174. Francesco Reda (Ita) 22.17
186. Dries Devenyns (Bel)
Overall classification after stage 7
1. Sylvain Chavanel
2. Cadel Evans (Aus) 1.25
3. Ryder Hesjedal (Can) 1.32
43. Jerome Pineau (Fra) 7.41
47. Kevin de Weert (Bel) 8.19
59. Carlos Barredo (Esp) 13.45
82. Jurgen van de Walle (Bel) 21.36
127. Maarten Wynants (Bel) 29.36
146. Kevin Seeldraeyers (Bel) 35.37
169. Francesco Reda (Ita) 43.15
178. Dries Devenyns (Bel) 50.51
Points classification after stage 7
1. Thor Hushovd (Noo) 118 points
2. Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) 114
3. Robbie McEwen (Aus) 105
10. Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) 69
51. Carlos Barredo (Esp) 15
58. Maarten Wynants (Bel) 12
72. Jurgen van de Walle (Bel) 10
84. Kevin de Weert (Bel) 5
107. Jerome Pineau (Fra) 2
146. Francesco Reda (Ita) 2
Mountain classification after stage 7
1. Jerome Pineau (Fra) 44 points
2. Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) 36
3. Mathieu Perget (Fra) 28
14. Jurgen van de Walle (Bel) 6
24. Carlos Barredo (Esp) 2
Youth classification after stage 7
1. Andy Schleck (Lux)
2. Roman Kreuziger (Tsj) 1.15
3. Rafael Valls (Esp) 1.44
28. Kevin Seeldraeyers (Bel) 33.42
Team classification after stage 7
1. Astana
2. Rabobank 0.56
3. Caisse d`Epargne 1.24
9. Team Quick Step 4.33