Sagan takes centre stage

Peter Sagan won yesterday’s seventh stage of the Tour de France into Albi, just about seeing off the challenge of fellow fast-men John Degenkolb (Argos-Shimano) and Daniele Bennati (Team Saxo-Tinkoff) after the 205-kilometre trek from Montpellier.

The Slovakian, who had finished second three times already in this Tour, tasted victory after an outstanding performance from his Cannondale team, who forced the pace of the peloton for much of the day to drop his major sprint rivals early in the stage.

Daryl Impey (OricaGreenEdge) was close behind to ensure he retained the yellow jersey for another day with Team Sky’s Edvald Boasson Hagen and Simon Gerrans (Orica-GreenEdge) in second and third.