Today's seventh stage of the Criterium du Dauphine was the queen stage of the French tour. No less than five climbs of the first category and one of the third category had to be completed on 155 kilometers.

BORA – ARGON 18 has been shown actively from the start. First Björn Thurau was part of a fourteen-men lead group that went clear after just four kilometers. On the mountainous profile, the next group with Jose Mendes and Bartosz Huzarski was able to attack from the peloton after 30 kilometers. Dominik Nerz also jumped in this group before they joined Thurau’s lead group.

Further attacks downsized the new big lead group again, but Bartosz Huzarski could always keep in touch with the leaders and it wasn’t before the last four kilometers that he had to let them go. While the victory went to Chris Froome (Sky), Emanuel Buchmann reached the finish as the best rider of BORA – ARGON 18 in rank 25.

The stage was overshadowed by a crash of Dominik Nerz. On the descent of the Col des Aravis the 25-year-old German crashed in an unlit tunnel. Nerz suffered some severe pain in his knee and had to be hospitalized in order to clarify his injuries. The checks revealed that nothing is broken. Nerz has suffered a bruised knee and abrasions. His start at the Tour de France is not in danger.

"After yesterday's stage, which was not satisfactory for most riders, we have seen a reaction today. The guys wanted to show what they are capable of and they rode very aggressively. Today we fought for a top ranking. Of course it is something special to be represented with four men in the leading group. Today Dominik has felt really well for the first time here. He would certainly having finished in front if he had not crashed in this tunnel. Fortunately, nothing worse happened. Then Bartosz tried again in the finale, but the big favorites were a bit fresher today. For tomorrow our riders have a free role and we hope for a good result in the stage“, comments Team Manager Ralph Denk on the great team performance.