Reuters
T-Mobile team rider Linus Gerdemann of Germany reacts on the podium after winning the seventh stage of the Tour de France between Bourg-en-Bresse and Le Grand-Bornand yesterday.

LE GRAND-BORNAND, France (Reuters):

GERMAN LINUS Gerdemann of the T-Mobile team took the Tour de France yellow jersey yesterday with victory on the seventh stage.

The 24-year-old, who was part of a 15-man breakaway, attacked decisively on the ascent of the category-one Col de la Colombiere towards the end of the stage, a 197.5-km trek from Bourg-en-Bresse to Le Grand-Bornand.

Riding his first Tour de France, Gerdemann finished 40 seconds ahead of Spaniard Inigo Landaluze of the Euskaltel team. Another Spaniard, Saunier-Duval's David De La Fuente, came home third, 1:39 off the pace.

On Bastille Day, the first Frenchman was Laurent Lefevre in fifth for Bouygues Telecom.

As expected, Swiss time trial world champion Fabian Cancellara surrendered the overall lead after finishing behind the peloton. He dropped to 108th in the standings, 22:15 adrift of Gerdemann.

"It's just incredible. I have to thank all those who believed in me and supported me, especially the team," said Gerdemann. "It was hardly anything automatic they'd support a young cyclist like me.

Could hardly pedal

"We knew it was going to be very hard today. We were all working for the captain (Michael Rogers). When I realised I was stronger, I tried to attack. It was so hard 300 metres from the finish. My legs were so heavy that I couldhardly pedal anymore."

Astana riders Alexander Vino-kourov and Andreas Kloeden, who sustained injuries in separate crashes on Thursday, finished in the main pack.

Kloeden, sixth in the overall standings 3:39 behind compatriot Gerdemann, is the best placed of the race favourites.

"It was a bit better than yesterday," Vinokourov said. "I still suffered a lot. It was important to get past the first pass. It's almost a victory for me.

"I hope it will be better tomorrow. I wanted to stay with the favourites. Then, we'll see," the Kazakh added.

Today's eighth stage will start from Le Grand-Bornand to a summit finish in Tignes after a 165-km ride and three category-one climbs.