TOURNUS, France (AP) — Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland is defending the Tour de France leader’s yellow jersey as 187 riders set off into the mountains for the first time.
Saturday’s seventh stage is a 101-mile route from Tournus to Station des Rousses, with six low- to mid-grade climbs in the Jura range.
Cancellara, a time trial specialist, could struggle against better climbers such as two-time Tour runner-up Cadel Evans of Australia who holds third place overall, 39 seconds back.
Other strong climbers include last year’s runner-up, Andy Schleck of Luxembourg, who is sixth, defending champion Alberto Contador of Spain in ninth place and Lance Armstrong of the United States, who is 18th overall.
