July 12, 2003 – Richard Virenque (Quick.Step/Davitamon) last wore the yellow jersey in 1992 when riding for RMO, his 'break out' year as a pro. Today, eleven years later, after an up and down career marred by drugs, scandal, and highlighted with five climbers' jerseys, Virenque wears yellow again. Today's hilly stage saw him attack on the first climb, bridging up to a five-rider breakaway that saw them build an nine-minute lead on the chase group. Ultimately, Virenque launched from the group, which, apart from Rolf Aldag (Team Telekom) was swept up in a US Postal-led chase. Aldag finished second on the stage, two-and-half minutes behind the Frenchman. Armstrong now sits in second, and on paper, it appears this is a great strategy for the American team. Virenque and his QuickStep team will be eager to defend the jersey, which means Armstrong can sit and wait – planning his next move….

Stage 7: Lyon – Morzine, 230.5 K

1. Richard Virenque (Fra) Quick.Step-Davitamon       6.06.03 (37.78 km/h)
2. Rolf Aldag (Ger) Team Telekom                2.29
3. Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) Brioches La Boulangere        3.45
4. Michael Rogers (Aus) Quick.Step-Davitamon          4.03
5. Stefano Garzelli (Ita) Vini Caldirola-So.Di         4.06
6. Christophe Moreau (Fra) Credit Agricole
7. Laurent Dufaux (Swi) Alessio
8. David Millar (GBr) Cofidis, Credit Par Telephone
9. Georg Totschnig (Aut) Gerolsteiner
10. Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz) Team Telekom

Overall:

1. Richard Virenque (Fra) Quick.Step-Davitamon       29.10.39
2. Lance Armstrong (USA) US Postal-Berry Floor         2.37
3. Rolf Aldag (Ger) Team Telekom                2.48
4. José Luis Rubiera (Spa) US Postal-Berry Floor        2.59
5. Roberto Heras (Spa) US Postal-Berry Floor          3.03
6. Joseba Beloki (Spa) ONCE-Eroski               3.09
7. Jorg Jaksche (Ger) ONCE-Eroski               3.14
8. Manuel Beltran (Spa) US Postal-Berry Floor         3.15
9. Jan Ullrich (Ger) Team Bianchi
10. José Azevedo (Por) ONCE-Eroski               3.37