Photography by BrakeThrough Media, Jered & Ashley Gruber, Cor Vos
Steve Cummings (Dimension Data) is quickly becoming the breakaway specialist of his generation, as he soloed to victory on stage 7 of the 2016 Tour de France in what was the first day in the Pyrenees.
The victory comes as a bit of redemption for Cummings after he was left off the Great Britain men’s road team for the Olympic games. He was able to escape his fellow breakaway companions on the flat run-in to the Col d’Aspin and then power over the climb and descend to victory.
“Of all my victories, I think it’s the best one,” Cummings said after the stage. “The Tour is the Tour, it’s special. I didn’t just want to win a stage this year, I needed to win a stage this year. I had a different condition from last year as I started the Tour riding for Mark [Cavendish] who is such a winner and an inspiration. It’s brilliant, it’s fantastic.”
Read the full stage 7 race report, highlight video and results here.
-
- Alex Howes’ (Cannondale-Drapac) move into the day’s breakaway must have been pre-meditated, as he made sure his teeth were white and shiny before the start. Photo: Gruber Images
-
- A hot day in the Pyrenees meant riders filled their jerseys to the brim with gels and bars before the start. Photo: Cor Vos
-
- Pre-stage interviews are all part of the job of being a professional cyclist. Photo: Gruber Images
-
- Wearing the maillot jaune of race leader, Greg Van Avermaet (BMC Racing) enjoys the luxury of lining up on the front row to start the stage. Photo: Cor Vos
-
- The day’s breakaway consisted of 29 riders and could have been mistaken for the peloton at times. Photo: Cor Vos
-
- Despite the early flat kilometres, a tough finale awaited the riders. Photo: Gruber Images
-
- None of the general classification contenders would end up gaining time on the stage. Photo: Gruber Images
-
- Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) turned the throttle in the chase group at the bottom of the Col d’Aspin, putting the maillot jaune into difficulty. Photo: Cor Vos
-
- The Category 1 Col d’Aspin did its job of whittling down the peloton to the pure climbers of the race. Photo: Cor Vos
-
- Steve Cummings (Dimension Data) had the advantage of being able to set his own tempo on the Col d’Aspin. Photo: Gruber Images
-
- The peloton heads into the Pyrenees for the first time at this year’s Tour. Photo: Gruber Images
-
- The Col d’Aspin is a beautiful climb that weaves back on itself by the way of many switchbacks. Photo: Gruber Images.
-
- Cummings was not alone on the climb, with many fans cheering him on. Photo: Gruber Images
-
- Only Daniel Navarro (Cofidis) and Daryl Impey (Orica-BikeExchange) were able to follow the pace Nibali set early on the climb. Photo: Cor Vos
-
- As the race moves into the mountains, the polka-dots for the King of the Mountains classification can be seen lining the course. Photo: Gruber Images
-
- Navarro was able to break away from Impey and Nibali near the top of the climb. Photo: Gruber Images
-
- Team Sky led the peloton up the Col d’Aspin. Photo: Gruber Images
-
- Impey bridged to Narravo just before the crest of the Col d’Aspin. Photo: Cor Vos
-
- Van Avermaet rode most of the Col d’Aspin alone, preserving his yellow jersey. Photo: Gruber Images
-
- The Pyrenees are a majestic sight. Photo: Gruber Images
-
- Van Avermaet flew down the high-speed descent of the Col d’Aspin. Photo: Gruber Images
-
- The fast descent didn’t allow for the riders to take in the stunning views. Photo: Gruber Images
-
- Cummings took an emphatic solo victory in Lac de Payolle. Photo: Cor Vos
-
- The 1K-to-go gantry collapsed on Stage 7 just before the GC contenders reached it. Photo: Cor Vos
-
- Frank Schleck (Trek-Segafredo) ducked under the last kilometer gantry after it collapsed. Photo: Cor Vos
-
- Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) and Chris Froome (Team Sky) shared a gentleman’s handshake after calling a truce in the final kilometre due to the fallen gantry. Photo: Cor Vos
-
- Stephen Cummings (Dimension Data) won the 2016 Tour of Britain.