Tour de Suisse stage 7 - live coverage

Stage 7 of the Tour de Suisse brings the peloton from Ambri to a summit finish at Malbun. The 194.6km stage features the category 1 Lukmanierpass and the category 3 ascents of Flims and St. Lutzistieg ahead of the 12.8km hors categories ascent to the finish. The peloton will roll out of Ambri at 11.00 local time and the race is scheduled to hit kilometre zero at 11.12.

Who is and who isn't? After 30 riders abandoned the Tour de Suisse with COVID-19 yesterday morning, there is a certain apprehension about today's start in Ambri. Four teams left the race en masse yesterday, and a similar volume of withdrawals could prevent this race from completing its course. So far, there is one confirmed non-starter to report, with Groupama-FDJ announcing that Quentin Pacher has abandoned the Tour de Suisse after testing positive for COVID-19. The rest of the Groupama-FDJ team will continue in the race. Although none of Groupama-FDJ's riders and staff reported symptoms, they all underwent testing last night in the wake of the mass abandons earlier in the day.

Bora-Hansgrohe have now announced that Marco Haller is a non-starter after he tested positive for COVID-19 this morning. The team already lost race leader Aleksandr Vlasov and Anton Palzer ahead of yesterday's stage.

The suspense at this Tour de Suisse has not been limited to the signing-on ceremony before each stage. Jakob Fulgsang (Israel Premier Tech) carries a lead of one second over Geraint Thomas (Ineos) into today's stage with Sergio Higuita (Bora-Hansgrohe) a further 9 seconds back in third. Some eight riders lie within a minute of yellow. 

The day's first question is answered.  The show goes on. The Tour de Suisse peloton is negotiating the neutralised zone ahead of the formal start of stage 7. We believe that Quentin Pacher (Groupama-FDJ) and Marco Haller (Bora-Hansgrohe) are the only non-starters to report, though we await confirmation.

The top three in the overall standings have all signed on and started this morning. Fuglsang sets out with one second in hand on Thomas and 10 on Higuita.

Sander Armee (Cofidis) is also a non-starter, leaving 84 riders in the Tour de Suisse peloton for its final road stage.

-194km

The 84-strong peloton has hit kilometre zero and stage 7 of the Tour de Suisse is officially underway.

Nelson Oliveira (Movistar) is an immediate attacker, but the Portuguese rider is quickly brought to heel by the peloton.

-186km

The downhill start from Ambri has made for a rapid start to proceedings and it is thus difficult for any break to establish itself. Some separation will inevitably come once the race reaches the valley floor and then begins to climb again towards the category 1 Lukmanierpass (18km at 5.5%). 

Daniel Martinez and Adam Yates were the men expected to lead Ineos' Tour de Suisse challenge this week, but instead Geraint Thomas is the man flying the flag. The Welshman was second overall behind that great enigma Simon Spilak in this race in 2015. Seven years on, he is within touching distance overall victory, even if his Ineos team has lost both Yates and Tom Pidcock to COVID-19. "For sure, everyone's had a few ups or downs, the winter was really bad for me, but it's nice to be back in the mix, whether it's doing lead-outs or riding for GC. Keep the body guessing!" Thomas said after stage 6. Alasdair Fotheringham has the full story here.

-168km

The road finally levels out and a group of a dozen or so riders has opened a small gap over the peloton. Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ) is among their number.

And although Pinot, over 6 minutes down, was the best placed on GC, the move is quickly shut down. Gruppo compatto. 

-161km

There has been a repeating flurry of attacks on the approach to the Lukmanierpass, but no group has yet succeeded in gaining any traction.

-156km

Nelson Oliveira (Movistar), Clement Champoussin (AG2R Citroen) and Baptiste Planckaert (Intermarche-Wanty-Gobert) have opened a small lead over the peloton.

-151km

A dozen or so riders are in the process of bridging across to the three leaders, though the margins remain tight as the road begins to rise towards the base of the Lukmanierpass.

-148km

Some 19 riders are at the head of the race on the approach to the Lukmanierpass and their lead has stretched beyond a minute. The riders in question are: Clément Champoussin (AG2R Citroën), Nicolas Prodhomme (AG2R Citroën), Clément Berthet (AG2R Citroën), Alexey Lutsenko (Astana-Qazaqstan), Gianni Moscon (Astana-Qazaqstan), Michael Matthews (BikeExchange-Jayco), Jack Bauer (BikeExchange-Jayco), Ion Izagirre (Cofidis), Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ), Lewis Askey (Groupama-FDJ), Sylvain Moniquet (Lotto Soudal), Nelson Oliveira (Movistar), Óscar Rodríguez (Movistar), Fausto Masnada (QuickStep-AlphaVinyl), Ilan Van Wilder (QuickStep-AlphaVinyl), Gavin Mannion (Human Powered Health), Mathieu Burgaudeau (TotalEnergies), Paul Ourselin (TotalEnergies) and Yannis Voisard (Switzerland).

That's almost a quarter of the remaining Tour de Suisse peloton up the road, incidentally. The best placed riders on GC are Burgaudeau (17th at 4:36), Pinot (18th at 6:20) and Masnada (19th at 6:54).

Baptiste Plackaert, who was the first man to bridge up to Oliveira and Champoussin, has dropped back to the peloton.

-147km

Break:

Clément Champoussin (AG2R Citroën), Nicolas Prodhomme (AG2R Citroën), Clément Berthet (AG2R Citroën), Alexey Lutsenko (Astana-Qazaqstan), Gianni Moscon (Astana-Qazaqstan), Michael Matthews (BikeExchange-Jayco), Jack Bauer (BikeExchange-Jayco), Ion Izagirre (Cofidis), Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ), Lewis Askey (Groupama-FDJ), Sylvain Moniquet (Lotto Soudal), Nelson Oliveira (Movistar), Óscar Rodríguez (Movistar), Fausto Masnada (QuickStep-AlphaVinyl), Ilan Van Wilder (QuickStep-AlphaVinyl), Gavin Mannion (Human Powered Health), Mathieu Burgaudeau (TotalEnergies), Paul Ourselin (TotalEnergies), Yannis Voisard (Switzerland).

Peloton at 1:20

-141km

The 19 leaders his the base of the day's first obstacle, the category 1 Lukmanierpass (18km at 5.5%), and their advantage over the peloton has stretched out to 2:25.

-139km

Pinot, Burgaudeau, Masnada et al continue to extend their lead on the lower slopes of the Lukmanierpass and the gap is now beyond three minutes.

Israel Premier Tech and Ineos set the tempo in the peloton, 3 minutes behind the escapees.

-137km

Break:

Clément Champoussin (AG2R Citroën), Nicolas Prodhomme (AG2R Citroën), Clément Berthet (AG2R Citroën), Alexey Lutsenko (Astana-Qazaqstan), Gianni Moscon (Astana-Qazaqstan), Michael Matthews (BikeExchange-Jayco), Jack Bauer (BikeExchange-Jayco), Ion Izagirre (Cofidis), Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ), Lewis Askey (Groupama-FDJ), Sylvain Moniquet (Lotto Soudal), Nelson Oliveira (Movistar), Óscar Rodríguez (Movistar), Fausto Masnada (QuickStep-AlphaVinyl), Ilan Van Wilder (QuickStep-AlphaVinyl), Gavin Mannion (Human Powered Health), Mathieu Burgaudeau (TotalEnergies), Paul Ourselin (TotalEnergies), Yannis Voisard (Switzerland)

Peloton at 3:03

Thibaut Pinot finished with the yellow jersey group yesterday and now he is testing his climbing legs as part of the day's early break. "The heat will have a big influence again today," Pinot said before the start. "Tomorrow’s time trial is a useful test but for me the big tests here at the mountain stages. Yesterday was the first real test for me and today is another one. With the coronavirus, we’re trying to be as careful as possible and hopefully we can have a calm Tour de France in that regard."

-130km

As if one cue, Pinot dances clear of the break with Clement Berthet (AG2R Citroen) for company. This move on the Lukmanierpass was teed up by Pinot's teammate Lewis Askey, whose pacemaking stretched the breakaway group.

-128km

Pinot and Berthet have gained half a minute on the splintered breakaway group. Burgaudea, Matthews and Lutsenko are among those giving chase. 

-127km

Break:

Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ) and Clément Berthet (AG2R Citroën)

Chasers at 0:31:

Clément Champoussin (AG2R Citroën), Nicolas Prodhomme (AG2R Citroën), , Alexey Lutsenko (Astana-Qazaqstan), Gianni Moscon (Astana-Qazaqstan), Michael Matthews (BikeExchange-Jayco), Jack Bauer (BikeExchange-Jayco), Ion Izagirre (Cofidis), Sylvain Moniquet (Lotto Soudal), Nelson Oliveira (Movistar), Óscar Rodríguez (Movistar), Fausto Masnada (QuickStep-AlphaVinyl), Ilan Van Wilder (QuickStep-AlphaVinyl), Gavin Mannion (Human Powered Health), Mathieu Burgaudeau (TotalEnergies), Yannis Voisard (Switzerland)

Chasers at 1:00:

Paul Ourselin (TotalEnergies) and Lewis Askey (Groupama-FDJ)

Peloton at 3:45

-123km

Alexey Lutsenko (Astana-Qazaqstan) and Nelson Oliveira (Movistar) have forged clear of the chasers and set off in tandem in pursuit of Pinot and Berthet at the head of the race. Pinot and Berthet are within sight of the summit of the Lukmanierpass.

-120km

Berthet leads Pinot over the top of the Lukmanierpass. This duo crests the summit with 32 seconds in hand on a twelve-man chasing group. The yellow jersey group trails by 3 minutes.

-118km

Break:

Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ) and Clément Berthet (AG2R Citroën)

Chasers at 0:38:

Clément Champoussin (AG2R Citroën), Nicolas Prodhomme (AG2R Citroën), Alexey Lutsenko (Astana-Qazaqstan), Michael Matthews (BikeExchange-Jayco), Ion Izagirre (Cofidis), Sylvain Moniquet (Lotto Soudal), Nelson Oliveira (Movistar), Óscar Rodríguez (Movistar), Fausto Masnada (QuickStep-AlphaVinyl), Ilan Van Wilder (QuickStep-AlphaVinyl), Gavin Mannion (Human Powered Health), Mathieu Burgaudeau (TotalEnergies)

Chasers at 1:50:

Yannis Voisard (Switzerland), Gianni Moscon (Astana-Qazaqstan), Jack Bauer (BikeExchange-Jayco)

Peloton at 7:35

The tempo in the peloton has stalled considerably. Fuglsang, Thomas, Higuita et al are 7:35 behind the leaders as they begin the long descent of the Lukmanierpass. Mathieu Burgaudeau (TotalEnergies) is the virtual race leader, though Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ) is closing in on him.

There's a long, long drop off the Lukmanierpass and, perhaps sagely, Pinot and Berthet look to be sitting up and waiting for the twelve chasers to join them. 

-105km

Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ) and Clément Berthet (AG2R Citroën) are joined at the head of the race by Clément Champoussin (AG2R Citroën), Nicolas Prodhomme (AG2R Citroën), Alexey Lutsenko (Astana-Qazaqstan), Michael Matthews (BikeExchange-Jayco), Ion Izagirre (Cofidis), Sylvain Moniquet (Lotto Soudal), Nelson Oliveira (Movistar), Óscar Rodríguez (Movistar), Fausto Masnada (QuickStep-AlphaVinyl), Ilan Van Wilder (QuickStep-AlphaVinyl), Gavin Mannion (Human Powered Health) and Mathieu Burgaudeau (TotalEnergies).

The peloton trails by 7:35.

-99km

Into the final 100km for the leaders, who now have 6:36 in hand on the yellow jersey group as they drop towards the base of the category 3 ascent to Flims.

-96km

Break:

Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ), Clément Berthet (AG2R Citroën), Clément Champoussin (AG2R Citroën), Nicolas Prodhomme (AG2R Citroën), Alexey Lutsenko (Astana-Qazaqstan), Michael Matthews (BikeExchange-Jayco), Ion Izagirre (Cofidis), Sylvain Moniquet (Lotto Soudal), Nelson Oliveira (Movistar), Óscar Rodríguez (Movistar), Fausto Masnada (QuickStep-AlphaVinyl), Ilan Van Wilder (QuickStep-AlphaVinyl), Gavin Mannion (Human Powered Health) and Mathieu Burgaudeau (TotalEnergies)

Peloton at 6:26

Ineos and Israel Premier Tech are combining smoothly at the head of the peloton in defence of the positions of both Geraint Thomas and Jakob Fuglsang. Burgaudeau remains in the virtual lead, but they have pared the break's advantage back inside 6 minutes. 

While Fuglsang holds yellow, the onus is on the Dane to put some time into Thomas this afternoon given that the Welshman would ordinarily be favoured in Sunday's concluding time trial. Sergio Higuita, by a similar token, knows he needs to go on the offensive this afternoon. And none of the contenders will want Stefan Kung, still 7th at 49 seconds after yesterday's mountain stage, to stay that close to top of the standings with tomorrow's time trial to come. We can expect fireworks on the final ascent of Malbun, across the border in Liechtenstein.

-83km

The combined chasing of Ineos and Israel Premier Tech is steadily making inroads into the break's lead on this long portion of valley road. The gap is down to 5:15.

-80km

Break:

Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ), Clément Berthet (AG2R Citroën), Clément Champoussin (AG2R Citroën), Nicolas Prodhomme (AG2R Citroën), Alexey Lutsenko (Astana-Qazaqstan), Michael Matthews (BikeExchange-Jayco), Ion Izagirre (Cofidis), Sylvain Moniquet (Lotto Soudal), Nelson Oliveira (Movistar), Óscar Rodríguez (Movistar), Fausto Masnada (QuickStep-AlphaVinyl), Ilan Van Wilder (QuickStep-AlphaVinyl), Gavin Mannion (Human Powered Health) and Mathieu Burgaudeau (TotalEnergies)

Peloton at 4:57

-73km

As the escapees hit the base of the category 3 climb to Flims (5.2km at 6.2%), the break's advantage has dropped to 4:14. Burgaudeau is no longer the virtual race leader.

Michael Matthews (BikeExchange-Jayco) sets the tempo at the head of the break on the climb to Flims. The Australian wears the black jersey of points leader after leapfrogging Andreas Leknessund (DSM) yesterday and he will hope to pick up enough points in the sprints later today to bring that jersey to Vaduz tomorrow.

Back in the peloton, meanwhile, Luke Rowe (Ineos), Daryl Impey and Patrick Bevin (Israel Premier Tech) set the pace, 4:15 behind the break.

-70km

Break:

Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ), Clément Berthet (AG2R Citroën), Clément Champoussin (AG2R Citroën), Nicolas Prodhomme (AG2R Citroën), Alexey Lutsenko (Astana-Qazaqstan), Michael Matthews (BikeExchange-Jayco), Ion Izagirre (Cofidis), Sylvain Moniquet (Lotto Soudal), Nelson Oliveira (Movistar), Óscar Rodríguez (Movistar), Fausto Masnada (QuickStep-AlphaVinyl), Ilan Van Wilder (QuickStep-AlphaVinyl), Gavin Mannion (Human Powered Health) and Mathieu Burgaudeau (TotalEnergies)

Peloton at 4:41

Flims is over 1,000m above sea level, but even at this altitude, the temperature is still some 28°C. As Pinot suggested before the start, the heat will certainly be a factor this afternoon.

-68km

Fausto Masnada (QuickStep-AlphaVinyl) leads over the summit of the category 3 Flims, where the break collaborated smoothly to maintain a buffer of 4:53 over the peloton.

-60km

The break is descending towards the intermediate sprint in Domat, which is followed by 30km or so of valley road ahead of the day's third climb, the category 3 St. Luzistieg.

-53km

Break:

Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ), Clément Berthet (AG2R Citroën), Clément Champoussin (AG2R Citroën), Nicolas Prodhomme (AG2R Citroën), Alexey Lutsenko (Astana-Qazaqstan), Michael Matthews (BikeExchange-Jayco), Ion Izagirre (Cofidis), Sylvain Moniquet (Lotto Soudal), Nelson Oliveira (Movistar), Óscar Rodríguez (Movistar), Fausto Masnada (QuickStep-AlphaVinyl), Ilan Van Wilder (QuickStep-AlphaVinyl), Gavin Mannion (Human Powered Health) and Mathieu Burgaudeau (TotalEnergies).

Peloton at 4:13

-51km

Michael Matthews (BikeExchange-Jayco) leads the break through the intermediate sprint and adds another 4 points to his lead in the black jersey competition. He will have another sprint between the penultimate climb and the summit finish, and another full haul of points there would surely set him up to take the points competition.

-47km

Ineos and Israel Premier Tech continue their pace-making and their work has pared the break's lead down to 3:55.

Neilson Powless (EF Education-EasyPost) is perched near the head of the peloton with his lone remaining teammate Jonas Rutsch for company. The American lies 4th overall, 26 seconds behind Fuglsang.

-40km

Break:

Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ), Clément Berthet (AG2R Citroën), Clément Champoussin (AG2R Citroën), Nicolas Prodhomme (AG2R Citroën), Alexey Lutsenko (Astana-Qazaqstan), Michael Matthews (BikeExchange-Jayco), Ion Izagirre (Cofidis), Sylvain Moniquet (Lotto Soudal), Nelson Oliveira (Movistar), Óscar Rodríguez (Movistar), Fausto Masnada (QuickStep-AlphaVinyl), Ilan Van Wilder (QuickStep-AlphaVinyl), Gavin Mannion (Human Powered Health) and Mathieu Burgaudeau (TotalEnergies)

Peloton at 4:11

Away from the Tour de Suisse, there has been another UAE Team Emirates exhibition at the Tour of Slovenia on the key summit finish at Velika Planina. Rafal Majka took the stage honours after breaking clear with race leader Tadej Pogacar 5km or so from the summit. More details here.

-31km

At the Tour de Suisse, meanwhile, the 14 escapees maintain a buffer of 4:06 over the peloton.

-25km

The escapees are on the category 3 ascent of St Luzistieg (3km at 7%), still with a buffer of 4 minutes over the chasing peloton. Their cohesion has remained intact thus far, but their unity might start to fracture as the bunch and the finish draw nearer.

-23km

Break:

Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ), Clément Berthet (AG2R Citroën), Clément Champoussin (AG2R Citroën), Nicolas Prodhomme (AG2R Citroën), Alexey Lutsenko (Astana-Qazaqstan), Michael Matthews (BikeExchange-Jayco), Ion Izagirre (Cofidis), Sylvain Moniquet (Lotto Soudal), Nelson Oliveira (Movistar), Óscar Rodríguez (Movistar), Fausto Masnada (QuickStep-AlphaVinyl), Ilan Van Wilder (QuickStep-AlphaVinyl), Gavin Mannion (Human Powered Health) and Mathieu Burgaudeau (TotalEnergies).

Peloton at 3:35

-22km

Fausto Masnada leads Rodriguez and Matthews over the top of the St. Luzistieg. The break's lead has contracted a little on the climb, and it now stands at 3:33.

-20.5km

Luke Rowe (Ineos) has abandoned the Tour de Suisse. The Welshman did a huge amount of work today keeping the break's advantage inside manageable dimensions. His job done, he has climbed off. It would be a surprise indeed if there wasn't a host of abandons ahead of tomorrow's time trial as riders look to do everything in their power to maintain COVID-19 bubbles.

-16km

The break has crossed the border and into Liechtenstein, which hosts the grand finale of this year's Tour de Suisse. Today's HC climb to Malbun is 12.8km at 8.4%, while tomorrow, the remaining riders face a 25.6km time trial around the capital Vaduz.

-14km

Considering almost a quarter of the peloton made the day's early break, Israel Premier Tech and Ineos have done very well indeed to keep their advantage to 3:25 ahead of the day's final climb. The threat posed by Burgaudeau and (faintly) by Pinot to Fuglsang and Thomas atop the standings has receded. The GC men will fight out the yellow jersey on this stiff climb to the finish.

-13km

Meanwhile, Michael Matthews takes the second intermediate sprint to snaffle another 4 points towards that black jersey.

-12km

Break:

Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ), Clément Berthet (AG2R Citroën), Clément Champoussin (AG2R Citroën), Nicolas Prodhomme (AG2R Citroën), Alexey Lutsenko (Astana-Qazaqstan), Michael Matthews (BikeExchange-Jayco), Ion Izagirre (Cofidis), Sylvain Moniquet (Lotto Soudal), Nelson Oliveira (Movistar), Óscar Rodríguez (Movistar), Fausto Masnada (QuickStep-AlphaVinyl), Ilan Van Wilder (QuickStep-AlphaVinyl), Gavin Mannion (Human Powered Health) and Mathieu Burgaudeau (TotalEnergies).

Peloton at 3:33

The break hits the final 12km climb to Malbun with a lead of 3:33 over the peloton. We can expect this group of 14 to fragment rapidly once the gradient starts to bite.

Clement Champoussin, second yesterday, and Michael Matthews have been distanced by the break on the lower slopes of the climb as the break starts to splinter under pressure from Alexey Lutsenko.

-11km

Alexey Lutsenko, Ivan Van Wilder and Ion Izagirre have opened a gap over the rest of the rest. It's surprising that Thibaut Pinot wasn't wise that move. He looks to be pedalling smoothly but now he will be required to jump across to the three leaders.

Ineos take over in the peloton at the bottom of the climb, with Omar Fraile setting the pace on behalf of Geraint Thomas, who also has Dylan van Baarle and Dani Martinez for company.

-10.5km

Ion Izagirre puts the pressure on out in front. Lutsenko can follow, but Van Wilder cannot. Two men in front, with 15 seconds in hand on the rest of the break and 3:20 on the yellow jersey group.

Thibaut Pinot begins to move... The Frenchman bridges across to Van Wilder, and this duo is 11 seconds down on the two leaders, Lutsenko and Izagirre.

-10km

Ion Izagirre (Cofidis) isn't hanging around. The Basque has distanced Lutsenko at the head of the race. Meanwhile, Pinot has rid himself of Van Wilder and he is in lone pursuit of Izagirre and Lutsenko out in front.

Break:

Ion Izagirre (Cofidis)

Chaser at 0:10:

Alexey Lutsenko (Astana-Qazaqstan)

Chaser 2 at 0:15:

Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ)

Yellow jersey group at 3:29

-9km

Max Schachmann accelerates at the head of the yellow jersey group for Bora-Hansgrohe and his leader Sergio Higuita, and that has put some riders into difficulty...

There are two races within a race here. Pinot is clawing his way up to Lutsenko as he vies to make his way up to Ion Izagirre. 3:27 down the road, Max Schachmann has strung out the yellow jersey group on behalf of Sergio Higuita.

-8.5km

Ion Izagirre is pedalling very smoothly at the head of the race. Lutsenko remains second on the road, with Pinot stalking him grimly about 50 metres or so further back.

-7.5km

Pinot has been within touching distance of Lutsenko for 2km or so, but he can't quite close the last part of the gap. All the while, however, Izagirre is stretching out his advantage, which stands at 25 seconds over Lutsenko.

Schachmann's stint of pace-making ends and Remco Evenepoel (QuickStep-AlphaVinyl) has a tentative dig. The yellow jersey Jakob Fuglsang follows him before Dani Martinez takes over for Ineos

-7km

Break:

Ion Izagirre (Cofidis)

Chasers at 0:28:

Alexey Lutsenko (Astana-Qazaqstan) and Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ)

Yellow jersey group at 3:30

Pinot has finally bridged up to Lutsenko, but they aren't getting any closer to Izagirre, who is pedalling with great fluidity on this climb.

Dani Martinez sets the pace in the yellow jersey group, with Thomas, Higuita, Fuglsang, Reichenbach, Evenepoel, Grossschartner, Pozzovivo, Powless and Stefan Kung among the riders who remain in contact.

-6km

This is a remarkable display from Ion Izagirre, who leads Pinot and Lutsenko by 40 seconds. The yellow jersey group is now 4 minutes behind the Basque.

-5km

Dani Martinez continues to wind up the tempo in the yellow jersey group, 3:27 down on Izagirre. The GC men are all still in there, including the danger man Higuita and home favourite Stefan Kung.

-5km

Break:

Ion Izagirre (Cofidis)

Chasers at 0:33:

Alexey Lutsenko (Astana-Qazaqstan) and Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ)

Yellow jersey group at 3:24

-4.5km

Pinot climbs from the saddle and draws away from Lutsenko. The Frenchman is now in lone pursuit of Izagirre, but he has half a minute to make up on the Basque.

-4km

Dani Martinez's forcing is stretching out the yellow jersey group, but it remains just about intact for the time being.

Pinot is 30 seconds behind the lone leader Izagirre. Lutsenko is the third man on the road. The yellow jersey group is at 3:01.

Felix Grossschartner, who began the day 5th at 34 seconds, has been dropped by the yellow jersey group as Martinez continues to turn the screw.

-2.5km

Pinot is drawing ever closer to Ion Izagirre at the head of the race. Izagirre turns and looks over his shoulder, then shakes his head almost in resignation. Pinot is almost upon him... but Lutsenko is not out of the hunt yet either.

-2km

Thibaut Pinot catches Ion Izagirre and the Frenchman accelerates immediately. Izagirre tries to follow for 20 metres or so and then relents. Pinot looks set for stage victory...

Back in the yellow jersey group, Andreas Leknessund (DSM) has been distanced. Stefan Kung looks to be still hanging in there.

Ion Izagirre has blown and he has been caught by Alexey Lutsenko. The Kazakhstani is still a threat to Pinot...

Stefan Kung, Max Schachmann and Remco Evenepoel have been dropped from the yellow jersey group, finally burnt off by Martinez's pace-making. 

Powless is also distanced. Only Fuglsang, Thomas and Higuita are still with Martinez as he puts in his final push before swinging off.

Dani Martinez swings off and as soon as he does, Higuita accelerates. Fuglsang leads the chase with Thomas on his wheel.

Higuita enters the final 2km with a slight advantage over Fuglsang and Thomas, and he could be riding into the yellow jersey. The Colombian began the day just 10 seconds down on Fuglsang.

-1km

Meanwhile, Thibaut Pinot enters the final kilometre with 42-second lead. The Frenchman is on the cusp of stage victory.

Behind, Higuita looks to have 10 seconds or so on Fuglsang and Thomas, which would suffice to put him - just - into yellow ahead of tomorrow's time trial.

Higuita is gradually stretching out his advantage on Fuglsang, who still has Thomas locked on his wheel as they enter the final kilometre.

Higuita has blown past the struggling Izagirre, but there are still at least three riders ahead - Pinot, Lutsenko and Oscar Rodriguez (Movistar) - which means there are no bonus seconds on offer for the Colombian at this point.

Pinot, meanwhile, is into the final 300 metres. Stage victory is his.

Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ) wins stage 7 of the Tour de Suisse.

Oscar Rodriguez (Movistar) caught and passed Alexey Lutsenko (Astana) to take second. Lutsenko is third at 40 seconds.

Further down the road, Thomas has attacked and dropped Fuglsang. The Welshman sets off in lone pursuit of Higuita and he is closing in on his prey on the run-in to the finish.

Higuita takes fourth on the stage and looks over his shoulder to see Thomas closing in on him. Thomas appears to have been a litte over 10 seconds behind Higuita. That means the Colombian would take the yellow jersey, but Thomas looks best placed to take overall victory in tomorrow's time trial.

Fuglsang lost 29 seconds to Higuita and 18 seconds to Thomas. Higuita will be the new yellow jersey, just two seconds ahead of Thomas. 

Confirmed: Sergio Higuita (Bora-Hansgrohe) is the new leader of the Tour de Suisse.

Result

1 Thibaut Pinot (Fra) Groupama-FDJ 05:06:39

2 Oscar Rodriguez (Spa) Movistar Team 00:00:25

3 Alexey Lutsenko (Kaz) Astana-Qazaqstan 00:00:38

4 Sergio Higuita (Col) Bora-Hansgrohe 00:01:19

5 Geraint Thomas (GBr) 00:01:30

6 Nicolas Prodhomme (Fra) AG2R Citroën 00:01:40

7 Jakob Fulgsang (Den) Israel Premier Tech 00:01:48

8 Domenico Pozzovivo (Ita) Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert 00:01:59

9 Sebastien Reichenbach (Swi) Groupama-FDJ 00:02:09

10 Neilson Powless (USA) EF Education-EasyPost 00:02:19

General classification

1 Sergio Higuita (Col) Bora-Hansgrohe 32:38:38

2 Geraint Thomas (GBr) Ineos Grenadiers 00:00:02

3 Jakob Fulgsang (Den) Israel Premier Tech 00:00:19

4 Neilson Powless (USA) EF Education-EasyPost 00:01:16

5 Domenico Pozzovivo (Ita) Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert 00:01:37

6 Sebastien Reichenbach (Swi) Groupama-FDJ 00:02:09

7 Stefan Küng (Swi) Groupama-FDJ 00:02:19

8 Bob Jungels (Lux) AG2R Citroën 00:02:31

9 Felix Grosschartner (Aut) Bora-Hansgrohe 00:02:47

10 Andreas Leknessund (Nor) Team DSM 00:02:59