Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of stage 7 of the Tour de Suisse. This is one of only two summit finishes at this year's race, with an hors-categorie and near-30km ascent to Arosa on the menu. There's not much else to the parcours but the final climb should see some fireworks.
The riders have rolled out of Eschenbach and have completed the neutralised section, so stage 7 is officially underway.
The breakaway stuck yesterday - though only just in the end - and it seems today there's plenty of interest again in the rolling roads of these opening kilometres.
We have a group of around 30 riders off the front of the peloton at the moment.
This large breakaway has opened a lead of 1:15 over the peloton. We'll bring you names shortly.
150km remaining from 170km
Greg Van Avermaet is in this break, teammate of race leader Richie Porte. How will BMC play this one today? Tanel Kangert seems the best-placed rider on GC in the break, at 1:59.
The breakaway names for you. I make that 29.
140km remaining from 170km
One name that stands out on that list is that of Mark Christian. The Aqua Blue rider was in the break yesterday but a mechanical problem saw him dropped and prevented from taking what he said would have been the best result of his career.
Of little consolation to Christian was the fact he picked up the mountains jersey yesterday, and today it was he who took maximum points atop that early Cat-3 climb.
1:45 the gap as BMC keep a lid on things.
As the race settles down, why not catch up on yesterday's action. Soren Kragh Andersen won from the break, while Richie Porte rode Nairo Quintana and everyone else off his wheel on the late climb to extend his overall lead.
Two minutes is the gap. We're still a long way from the final climb and it could be a pretty quiet day in the saddle...Feel free to grab lunch...
Another stand-out name in the break is that of Michael Albasini. The Swiss rider always shines on home turf, but he even has history on this very terrain. The Tour de Suisse visited Arosa back in 2012 and Albasini won from the break....Will lightning strike twice?
The average speed for the first hour of racing was 38.6km/h.
108km remaining from 170km
Our top story today features Vincenzo Nibali and his preparations for the Tour de France. My colleague Stephen Farrand went to see the Italian in the Dolomites this week, following him on a training ride before discussing the upcoming Tour.
86km remaining from 170km
It's BMC on the front of the peloton, keeping things under control for overall leader Richie Porte. Greg Van Avermaet is allowed a day off as he's up in the break.
The final climb may be a HC ascent of nearly 30km, but it's not all that difficult. The tough part is in the last few kilometres but before that there'll be a long section in the big ring.
In other news, Mark Cavendish has been confirmed for the British national championships later this month. The Manxman is having another tough season but is hoping to be back to his best at the Tour de France. Here's the full story.
Movistar come to the front of the peloton to assist BMC. They also have a man in the break in Victor de la Parte, but are aware of the danger posed by Kangert in particular.
60km remaining from 170km
Three minutes now, thanks to the work of Movistar.
With over half of the stage covered, the gap to the 29 leaders hovers around 3". The day's big challenge is the climb to the finish at Arosa - 27.4km at an average of 4 2%.pic.twitter.com/gQQp6kDxfM
We're now approaching the final climb. Under the impetus of Quintana's Movistar, the peloton has strung out and the gap has come down towards the two-minute mark.
Matthews takes the points at the first of the two intermediate sprints.
The pace from Movistar and BMC eases and Taylor Phinney accelerates as the riders reorganise themselves and try and get their leaders well positioned ahead of the climb.
27km remaining from 170km
Attack from Quintana!
The Colombian attacks immediately as the climb begins.
Fuglsang follows Quintana but can't handle the pace and drops back. No response yet from Porte.
Quintana roars past Stannard and Gatto from the break.
Dombrowski attacks from the break now.
Richie Porte goes about closing Quintana down as the peloton explodes.
Porte has Kruijswijk and Fuglsang for company. No sign of the Sunweb duo of Kelderman and Oomen - second and third overall.
Porte, Kruijswijk, Fuglsang catch Quintana now.
Quintana goes again!
Quintana roars clear once again and sweeps up yet more of these breakaway remnants.
25km remaining from 170km
Tejay van Garderen comes back to help Porte in a yellow jersey group that has swelled to 10. Kelderman, Oomen, and Mas are all there now.
Dombrowski has opened up a lead of 44 seconds here.
Quintana has found 20 seconds on Porte and co.
No sign of Ion Izaguirre or Jack Haig in the GC group.
Quintana passes Gorka Izaguirre, Yves Lampaert, and Koen Bouwman in quick succession.
And now Quintana links up with his teammate Victor de la Parte. This was well set up by Movistar. De la Parte can now offer a windshield for Quintana on this flatter section.
And Van Avermaet is now sitting up for Porte, with Van Garderen having finished his turn.
Here are the names in that yellow jersey group
Dombrowski still leads but he only has 30 seconds now, with Quintana closing in at 45 seconds.
The last of the breakaway stragglers are taking advantage of the gentler gradients to latch onto the back of the advancing Quintana.
Quintana has 25 seconds over Porte and the rest of the GC contenders.
18km remaining from 170km
Van Avermaet is still on the front for Porte. 40 seconds is the gap to Quintana.
Dombrowski is caught by the Quintana group.
Quintana started the day 45 seconds down on Porte.
Quintana's in the big ring with 10 breakaway remnants tied to his wheel. They're enjoying the free ride at the moment.
It's pretty much a straight fight at the moment between Van Avermaet and Quintana, and it's the BMC rider who's edging it on this flatter section. 34 seconds is the gap now.
Landa attacks now!
We all know about these two cards Movistar have to play here - and will have to play at the Tour de France. Landa shakes things up with a brief dig but it lacked conviction.
The gap is holding at 35 seconds for the moment. We've still got several kilometres before the climb ramps up for its steepest section.
Van Avermaet brings the gap down below the 30-second mark now. Quintana is getting no help from the breakaway riders up front.
Porte will be happy with this situation. Quintana is going all-in here while he can sit in behind a teammate and keep himself a bit fresher for the steeper section.
6km remaining from 170km
4km remaining from 170km
A full-on sprint from Van Avermaet on the approach to the steep section and the Olympic champion shreds the yellow jersey group. What a ride from him today.
And that acceleration launches Porte...
Up front Quintana accelerates and drops many of the breakaway riders on the steeper gradients.
Porte is flying up though.
Porte's turning a huge gear as he grinds his way up out of the saddle. The rest of the GC riders are further back down the road.
18 seconds now is the gap between Quintana and Porte.
3km remaining from 170km
Quintana starts to drop Muhlberger now but Porte is still advancing. 8 seconds...
We're in for a dramatic finale here.
3km remaining from 170km
Porte looks over his shoulder. Fuglsang, Kruijswijk and Spilak are there not too far behind. Quintana, however, has found new ground... 15 seconds.
And now 20 seconds for Quintana! Is Porte struggling? Fuglsang now accelerates and makes it back to Porte.
Porte and Fuglsang pass Muhlberger.
Kelderman is losing ground here.
2km remaining from 170km
Fuglsang comes through for a turn now, providing Porte with a little respite.
1km remaining from 170km
Quintana crests the climb now and has just over a kilometre's run-in to Arosa.
1km remaining from 170km
Into the flat final few hundred metres for Quintana. He has this in the bag.
Nairo Quintana (Movistar) wins stage 7 of the Tour de Suisse
The Colombian celebrates on the other side of the line, and now we look back to Porte and Fuglsang.
They cross the line 22 seconds down, Fuglsang taking second, Porte third. Porte keeps yellow.
Muhlberger is in next with Kelderman, Mas, and Anton.
Kruijswijk and Landa are next in at 51 seconds.
Spilak and Mollema both lose over a minute.
Meanwhile Ion Izaguirre, Diego Ulissi, and Jack Haig - who all started the day in the top 10 - ship more than two minutes.
Top 10
General classification after stage 7
Quintana may not have taken yellow - and stands very little chance of winning the overall with a time trial the only decisive remaining stage - but what a stage win!!
Here's a word from Quintana
As for the Tour de France...
There were hugs and smiles between Quintana and Landa beyond the finish line...
Here's our report page, where you can find a write-up, results, and photos
Thank you for reading 5 articles in the past 30 days*
Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read any 5 articles for free in each 30-day period, this automatically resets
After your trial you will be billed £4.99 $7.99 €5.99 per month, cancel anytime. Or sign up for one year for just £49 $79 €59
Join now for unlimited access
Try your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
-
'It's a really big goal' - Geraint Thomas tests form at Tour of the Alps ahead of Giro-Tour double attempt
Welshman returns to five-day stage race in better form than 2023 after a more consistent build-up without complication from illness -
Tyler Stites wins Redlands Bicycle Classic for third year in a row
Brendan Rhim takes final stage making it four for Project Echelon -
Nadia Gontova wins Redlands Classic women's race as Mara Roldan takes stage 5
Roldan outsprints Jenaya Francis and moves up to third on GC
-
MTB World Cup Mairiporã – Stinging counter-attack takes Jenny Rissveds to XCO victory
Swedish rider overcomes Savilia Blunk and Haley Batten after catching leading duo -
MTB World Cup Mairiporã – Christopher Blevins captures XCO win in opening round
Specialized Factory Racing teammate Victor Koretzky takes second place to American in Brazil -
‘Stupid' but a 'good lesson’ – Premature celebration trips up Wiebes at Amstel Gold Race
SD Worx-Protime sprinter pipped on the line by a fast closing Marianne Vos
-
Lenny Martinez outsprints Clément Berthet to win Tour du Doubs
Second victory for French rider and third for Groupama-FDJ in three days -
Sunny King Criterium: Kendall Ryan and Alfredo Rodriguez win titles in Anniston
Winners of first race of USA Crits take series lead -
'I'd been questioning myself' - Tom Pidcock delivers at Amstel Gold Race
Briton makes amends for 2021 near miss with well-timed sprint win
