Yates said: “I cut my shoulder and my wrists and my knee is pretty banged up, so I’m devastated”.
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Also: 11 C Froome (GB) Team Sky, 15 D Martin (Ire) Etixx-Quick-Step all at same time, 73 A Yates (GB) Orica-BikeExchange at 8min 7sec, 155 L Rowe (GB) Team Sky at 18min 15sec, 178 M Cavendish (GB) Dimension Data at 21min 5sec, 188 S Bennett (Ire) Bora-Argon, 190 I Stannard (GB) Team Sky, 191 D Mclay (GB) Fortuneo – Vital Concept all at same time.
South African Daryl Impey was second with David Navarro of Spain third, both 1min 05sec behind.
Cummings, who won a stage a year ago, said: “I’m ecstatic for the team – it was a brilliant day”. Still, he was able to get back on his bike and reach the finish shortly after his countryman Steve Cummings won the first of four stages in the Pyrenees with a solo attack on the Col d’Aspin climb.
‘When the ball’s rolling success breeds success, ‘ he continued.
All 198 riders started the stage, marking the first time the entire peloton was still racing this late in the Tour in 103 editions.
“Of all my victories, I think it’s the best one”. I signed for this team [Orica-Bike Exchange] with that objective and the progression was always to be a GC rider so obviously that’s the end objective. Then it has kind of spiralled. I felt if I can get in front with a smaller number of riders, I’d have more chances of winning.
The seventh stage of the Tour de France ended in farcical fashion on Friday when an inflatable arch deflated and slowed down several riders and sending Briton Adam Yates crashing to the ground.
“It’s a gift to be here, so chapeau to the team”.
Cummings was part of a 29-man breakaway featuring Van Avermaet and 2014 victor Vincenzo Nibali. But the big news was an inflatable arch near the finish line.
Navarro briefly dropped Nibali and Impey as he continued to give chase while Van Avermaet settled for sticking ahead of the peloton, which was to be further hampered by the unusual events close to the finish line. “They’re the experts and they know what they’re doing so I’ll let them get on with it”.
“They tried to put me in the best position at the foot of the climb”, said Pinot, who enjoyed a strong start to the season crowned by a time trial title at the French national championships last month.
He wasn’t the only person celebrating on Friday as Belgian Greg Van Avermaet kept hold of the race leader’s yellow jersey, extending his advantage.
The main general classification hopefuls had been caught behind Yates’ collision with the flamme rouge. We will reinforce the security around the structure so that this doesn’t happen again.
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Most other days he rides at the back of the peloton, often last man. ‘I just feel things and look at riders and sensations, ‘ he said. I had no time to react.
