As it happened: Breakaway defies peloton to win final summit finish of Paris-Nice

Hello and welcome to stage 7 of Paris-Nice.

The penultimate day of Paris-Nice was supposed to be a feast of climbing Queen Stage, but the bad weather that has affected the race this week prompted the organisers to drop two climbs and reduced the length to just 109.3km.

Thankfully, the stage is still going ahead, and still ends with a summit finish - and a hard one, too. The final 7.3km to the finish at Auron climb at an average of 6.9%, and is alone enough to instigate some exciting GC racing that could turn the race on its head.

The riders are making their way through the neutralised zone as we speak, ahead of what could, on account of this being such a short stage, be an intense start in terms of riders trying to get into the breakaway.

There are several non-starters who have not signed on today - sprinters Juan Sebastián Molano and Arnaud Démare, aware that they have no more chances for stage wins, plus Aimé De Gendt and Stanisław Aniołkowski.

Molano, De Gendt and Aniołkowski are also said to be ill. Given the conditions this week, you'd imagine some riders must have come down with something. 

Although short, this stage is still set to be hard, with much of it spent riding uphill. The riders will climb the 9.3km Côte d'Aspremont after just 10km, and will spend about 60km towards the foot of the final climb to Aurin going gradually but unrelentingly uphill. By the time they reach the official start of the climb, they will already be at around 1,000m above sea level.

More riders are being reported as DNS: Max Walscheid (Jayco AlUla), Robin Froidevaux (Tudor), Cees Bol (XDS Astana), Jonas Abrahamsen (Uno-X Mobility) and Hugo Page (Intermarché-Wanty).

Yesterday’s crosswind action upended the GC, as Visma-Lease a Bike dealt a serious blow to many of Matteo Jorgenson’s rivals for yellow. Now, only three riders are within 2-40 of him - Florian Lipowitz (at 0-40), Mattias Skjelmose (0-59) and Thymen Arensman (1-20). Jorgenson’s therefore in pole position, but those three riders are close enough to put him under pressure today.

As for those who were dumped out of GC contention in those echelons, today could represent an opportunity for redemption via getting into the day’s break and targeting the stage win. We know the great form Lenny Martinez is in based on his victory two days ago, and now he’s way down in 23rd on GC at 9-58, he might have the freedom to get into the day’s break.

109KM TO GO

And they're off!

Mauro Schmid attacks right away and is being joined by others.

As expected, there’s lots of interest in getting into the break. 12 riders are up the road already.

Those twelve riders are: Kelland O’Brien, Mauro Schmid (Jayco AlUla), Alfred Wright (Bahrain Victorious) Marco Haller, Michael Storer (Tudor),  Pierre Thierry (Arkéa-B&B Hotels), Rasmus Tiller (Uno-X Mobility), Clément Izquierdo, Johan Jacobs (Movistar), Alexandre Démettre, Jordan Jegat (Total Energies) and Jakub Otruba (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA).

Here were the riders at the start.

100KM TO GO

That group has a lead of about 30 seconds, but the attacks aren't over yet. Julian Alaphilippe is involved in a move trying to bridge over to them.

CÔTE D’ASPREMONT

The riders are climbing the Côte d'Aspremont, a 9.3km that rises at 4.9%. This could provide a spingboard for strong climbers to establish themselves in a break.

That appears to be what Neilson Powless has in mind, as he attacks out of the peloton. The American is way down on GC at 15-53, having lost more time yesterday in the wind.

It seems it’s Anthony Perez rather than Johan Jacobs who is one of the twelve riders. Here’s the full list again:

Kelland O’Brien, Mauro Schmid (Jayco AlUla), Alfred Wright (Bahrain Victorious) Marco Haller, Michael Storer (Tudor),  Pierre Thierry (Arkéa-B&B Hotels), Rasmus Tiller (Uno-X Mobility), Clément Izquierdo,  Anthony Perez (Cofidis), Alexandre Démettre, Jordan Jegat (Total Energies) and Jakub Otruba (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA).

The make up of that group is chaning on the climb. Powless has joined them, while Otruba and Thierry have been dropped.

More attacks from the peloton, and by strong climbers - Armirail and Steinhauser are on the move.

Armirail has made it into the lead group.

Romeo, Tarling, Kung and Alaphilippe are among those also trying to bridge over. It's all action!

The highest place GC rider up the road is Michael Storer, who is 13th at 3-55. As the only rider within 10 minutes of Jorgenson, the other breakaway riders might be annoyed at his presence, as he gives the peloton a reason to chase that none of them do.

The chase group featuring Alaphilippe and Tarling has joined the leaders.

So we now have a lead group of 15 riders,  of high quality. We'll have a full run-down soon.

Here are the 15 leaders, as the near the top of the climb:

Julian Alaphilippe (Tudor)

Michael Storer (Tudor)

Georg Steinhauser (EF Education-EasyPost)

Neilson Powless (EF Education-EasyPost)

Kelland O’Brien (Jayco AlUla)

Mauro Schmid (Jayco AlUla)

Clément Izquierdo (Cofidis)

Anthony Perez (Cofidis)

Alexandre Delettre (Total Energies) 

Jordan Jegat (Total Energies) 

Josh Tarling (Ineos)

Ivan Romeo (Movistar)

Stefan Küng (Groupama-FDJ)

Alfred Wright (Bahrain Victorious)

Bruno Armirail (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale)

90KM TO GO

As they crest the climb, the break has a lead of 40 seconds over the peloton.

The peloton on the road. It's milder today, with temperatures up to over 10 degrees.

At the top of the climb, Delettre took the maximum 5 points on offer. He has his eye on Thomas Gachignard's KOM jersey. 

Here are the new KOM standings, with Delettre now just four points away from the top:

1 Thomas Gachignard 21

2 João Almeida 20

3 Alexandre Delettre 17

4 Lenny Martinez 14

Over a minute now for the breakaway, who looks well established. 

This is a very good group for Tudor Pro Cycling. They have both their best riders, Michael Storer and Julian Alaphilippe, present in it. If they manage to stay clear and contest for the stage win, Storer would arguably be the favourite to take the victory on the final climb.

The other top climbs who’d challenge Storer and Alaphilippe for the stage in would likely be Romeo, Steinhauser and Powless.

Romeo’s been in great form this year, having finished fourth overall at the UAE Tour; Steinhauser proved his climbing credentials with a stage win in the Dolomites at the Giro last year; and Powless has long been established as a quality climber.

The gap’s getting bigger. It’s grown to over 1-30.

After taking on a false flat after the previous climb, the riders are now descending for the first - and only - time today.

Lidl-Trek is the team leading the peloton. Are they going to try to challenge the yellow jersey with leader Mattias Skjelmose? He’s currently 3rd overall, at 59 seconds. 

70KM TO GO

1-30 is the gap as they reach the bottom of the descent. Lidl aren't letting them grow much of a lead.

The weather might be milder, but it's still grim. It's started to rain.

Here's a look at the breakaway at the front of the race.

It seems Stefan Küng went down in a crash. He's having to make his way back into the lead group.

We have our first DNF of the day - Alexander Kristoff.

60M TO GO

The gap has grown again, as they start the long drag to the foot of the final climb. It’s up to aout 2-30 now.

The weather continues to have an adverse effect. The rain is heavier now.

Küng is still having to chase back from his crash earlier. 

Back in the peloton, UAE Team Emirates are leading the peloton, along with Visma-Lease a Bike. They clearly still fancy the chances of Almeida, despite the time he lost yesterday.

Yesterday's winner Mads Pedersen is dropped out of the peloton.

CRASH

Skjelmose has gone down.

The Dane has fallen heavily after trying to avoid a traffic island.

He's still on the floor, and looks likely to abandon.

50KM TO GO

50km to go, the gap between the peloton and the break is 2-40.

Mechanical for Affini of Visma-Lease a Bike, who's out the back of the peloton getting it sorted. 

Visma-Lease a Bike leading the peloton earlier.

SKJELMOSE DNF

Skjelmose has abandoned the race. He was so well-poised on GC, in third overall.

The break's lead is up to 3 minutes. For the stronger climbers in it, there's a real chance for a stage win developing. 

The man second on GC, Florian Lipowitz, is back with his Red Bull-Bora Hansgrohe team car. He doesn’t seem to have a significant problem though.

40KM TO GO

The gap remains at about 3 minutes, but UAE Team Emirates are lending men to the chase in the peloton, and the pace is high. 

UAE's Almeida does have a real shot at the podium, now just 1-20 off it following Skjelmose's abandon. But their work seems to be as much about targeting the stage win as it is GC, as the pace they're setting suggests they want to bring the break back.

For all their work though, the gap is holding steady, and remains at about 3-10.

The weather is ok out on the road for now with the rain having relented. But not at the finish at the top of the climb - up there, it’s currently snowing. This is going to be another grim finale for the riders.

Lidl-Trek have an update on Skjelmose. He's being taken to hospital in an ambulance.

30KM TO GO

Still over three minutes for the break. This is still looking good for them.

Merlier is dropped out the back of the peloton. The gradient is already a little too hard for a sprinter like him.

Other teams are joining the case in the peloton. Astana and Red Bull-Bora Hansgrohe are taking over from Visma and UAE.

The work from these teams is beginning to have an effect. The gap is starting to come down, to 2-50.

The peloton is thinning out under the pace. More riders are dropping back and forming an autobus. 

UAE Team Emirates are helpind Red Bull and XDS-Astana again. There's some real firepower in this chase now.

20KM TO GO

The gap's down a little more, to 2-40. This is going to be a tight one. 

Interestingly, Storer rolls through to take the bonus seconds at the intermediate sprint from the break. He has more on his mind than just the stage win.

Storer is currently pushing for a podium finish on the virtual GC.

Another DNF to report - Anthony Turgis. 

And another - Jefferson Alveiro Cepeda. Drop-outs are understandable in such foul weather. 

15KM TO GO

2-30 now is the gap. Just 8km until the official start of the climb. 

It's raining again, just as the race is about to get hard.

It’s also clearly very cold. In the break, Alaphilippe is desperately trying to get blood circulating in his hands, having been unable to get his gloves on in the cold.  

10KM TO GO

The gaps's come down some more, to 2-08. We're only a couple of kilometres away from the start of the climb proper. 

AURON

We're on the final climb now, the gap having just dipped below 2 minutes

Delettre is the first victim of the gradients in the break. He's dropped already.

And now Alaphilippe's done. He'd done lots of work for Storer, and is still visibly cold. 

Lots of teams in the peloton now fighting for positon on the lower slopes of the climb.

UAE's Jhonatan Narváez is leading the peloton, and causing damage. Is he setting up an Almeida attack?

The gap's coming down quickly, to just 1-30.

Impressively, Mads Pedersen is second in line in the peloton behind Narváez, despite having been dropped earlier.

O'Brien is the latest dropped out the lead group.

 Izquierdo, Armirail, Wright also dropped.

Kung now slipping back.

In the peloton, Narváez is finished.

Ineos take over. They didn't contribute to the chase earlier, but have a stake in the game with Arensman virtually third on GC.

Powless has been dropped out the break.

Storer has attacked the break and leads the race, with just Schmid on his wheel.

Steinhauser is closing down on them.

Steinhauser isn't getting any close to Storer and Schmid.

Schmid is losing Storer's wheel.

Storer is clear alone at the front of the race, with just 2.6km left to climb.

He's still 1-37 ahead of the peloton - he's looking good for the stage win!

Attack from Lenny Martinez in the peloton.

He's been shut down.

Counter-attack from Felix Gall.

Martinez is on Gall's wheel, and the pair have a gap.

UAE are leading the chase, but aren't making inroads on Gall and Martinez

Almeida has been dropped.

There are only about 10 riders in the peloton ahead of him.

Amazingly, Pedersen is still up there, on Almeida's wheel.

1KM TO GO

Final kilometre for Storer, and he still has 1-26 over the peloton. Surely the stage is his.

Gall has dropped Martinez, and has Armirail pacing him having dropped bac from in front. He's nearer than the peloton, but at 1-08, still surely has too much ground to make up.

Storer is starting to smile as he comes to witin 500m of the line.

MICHAEL STORER WINS

Victory for Michael Storer!

Schmid arrives home 19 seconds later for 2nd place.

And Steinhauser is next home for third.

Romeo is 4th, Jegat 5th.

Gall's work is only enough to earn him 6th, with Martinez behind in 7th.

Lipowitz attacks to the line, and will gain a few seconds on the yellow jersey.

Lipowitz gains 3 seconds on Jorgenson, who arrives home alongside Mads Pedersen(!)

That means Jorgenson comfortably defends the yellow jersey for another day, his lad only reduced marginally to 37 seconds to Lipowitz.

Storer is also set to storm up the GC, to either 3rd or 4th overall (depending on where Arensman finished). 

Arensman finished with Jorgenson, which means he stays 3rd overall while Storer moves up to fourth. Almeida was also in the small Jorgenson group, meaning he stays 5th.

Here’s how the top ten looks now, with just one stage left to ride:

1 Matteo Jorgenson

2 Florian Lipowitz at 0-37

3 Thymen Arensman at 1-20

4 Michael Storer at 2-25

5 João Almeida at 2-40

6 Magnus Sheffield at 2-54

7 Brandon McNulty at 3-05

8 Clément Champoussin at 3-22

9 Tobias Foss at 3-28

10 Harold Tejada at 3-36

Special mention to Mads Pedersen, who produced one of the climbing performances of his career to finish 10th, ahead even Matteo Jorgenson in the yellow jersey.

He might have been looking to solidify his hold on the green jersey - by finishing 10th he picks up an extra point, extending his lead to 2 over Tim Merlier.

In the KOM classification, Gachignard keeps hold of the polka-dot jersey despite not being in the day's break. Storer took 20 points at the finish though, and is now only 1 point behind.

Storer reveals at the finish that the team’s plan was only for Alaphilipe to get into the break, not both of them. It worked a treat in the end though, with the Australian claiming his first win since the summer of 2023, and moving up to 4th overall.

Storer looks very cold. You can hear his voice quiver as he answers interview Seb Piquet’s questions. Mercifully he’s now been let go!

“Come to Paris-Nice”, they said. “It’s the Race to the Sun”, they said.

Thanks for joining us today. There weren't many attacks among the GC favourites, but things are still well set up for a final showdown for yellow tomorrow. 

Can Matteo Jorgenson defend the 37 second lead he holds over Florian Lipowitz, over the three category one climbs awaiting them? We’ve seen many dramatic changes in leadership on this familiar Paris-Nice finale over the years, so it could go either way.