Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team rider Sylvain Chavanel made his way into a 19 rider escape group in the 187.5km medium mountain Stage 7 of Criterium du Dauphine on Saturday. He launched an attack prior to Cat 1 Col du Noyer (7.5km, 8.2%), and after Alessandro De Marchi (Cannondale Pro Cycling) bridged to him, the two had a gap of 35" with 30.9km left in the stage.
However, as the gap started to drop as Movistar Team and Sky ProCycling led the peloton, Chavanel was unable to keep pace with De Marchi. De Marchi was eventually also caught and a select group was formed by the summit of Col du Noyer.
Samuel Sanchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) saw his own chance for a stage win and launched an attack with 12.8km to go. Jakob Fuglsang (Astana Pro Team) launched shortly after, and the two were able to keep enough of a gap to stay away from a group down to less than 15 riders.
Sanchez launched his sprint with 200m to go for the stage win. Fuglsang was 2nd and Richie Porte (Sky ProCycling) was 3rd after attacking inside the final kilometers.
OPQS looks next to a final 155.5km Stage 8 on Sunday.
