Frenchman Richard Virenque won the victory his nation had been waiting for in the first Alps stage of the Tour de France today, taking both the yellow and polka dot jerseys in the process. Virenque was supported by Quick Step team-mate Paulo Bettini early on but the Italian urged his team mate 'go for it' on the category one Col de Ramaz.
US Postal rider Vitor Hugo Pena wore the yellow jersey at the start but he took the role a domestique, collecting water behind the peloton as he and his team sought to protect four-time winner Lance Armstrong of America who finished the day 2min37 sec behind overall.
STAGE SEVEN 1 R Virenque Fra Quick Step 6:06:03hr 2 R Aldag Ger Telekom +2m29sec 3 S Chavanel Fra Brioches +3m45sec 4 M Rogers Aus Quick Step +4m03sec 5 S Garzelli Ita Vini Caldi' +4m06sec
GENERAL CLASSIFICATION (YELLOW JERSEY) 1 R Virenque Fra Quick Step 29h10m39s 2 L Armstrong US US Postal +2.37 3 R Aldag Ger Telekom +2:48
LEADING CLIMBER (POLKA DOT JERSEY) Richard Virenque Quick Step
LEADING SPRINTER (GREEN JERSEY) Alessandro Petacchi Fassa Bortolo
