Richie Porte emerged with the overall lead with a single stage remaining as the Criterium du Dauphine climbed into the clouds of the mountains.
You can rewatch STAGE 7 of 2021 Criterium du Dauphine HERE
The stage itself was won by an exultant Mark Padun (Bahrain Victorious), who threw back his head and laughed as he crossed the line at the La Plagne ski resort at 2072m above sea level.
“It’s incredible. An incredible moment for me”, Padun said at the finish. “It’s my first WorldTour victory in one of the hardest stages of the Criterium du Dauphine. Also honestly the last six stages I felt so bad it was incredible. Every day I was thinking it was maybe impossible to finish the race. When I crossed the finish line I had the feeling that I’d wake up in my bed, but it’s not a dream and thank Jesus for this fact!”
Porte, third in last year’s Tour de France, attacked from a kilometre out and only Miguel Angle Lopez was able to follow, the Colombian coming third on the day.
Overnight leader Alexey Lutsenko is now second overall at 17seconds with Geraint Thomas in third.
Sunday’s final stage in the Upper Savoy features some tough climbing but the finish line comes 16km after the final summit.
