Tour Auvergne - Rhône-Alpes Stage 7

The Lanterne Rouge Cycling Podcast delivers a gripping recap of Stage 7 of the Dauphiné, a brutal mountain stage centered on the newly upgraded Grand Colombier climb—now 10.1% average with stretches up to 20%. Host Benji recounts his own grueling 50k ultramarathon in Andorra, where he pushed 700g of carbs and finished under 10 hours, crediting Morton nutrition for zero stomach issues. The stage itself was defined by chaos: a mid-race crash that took out favorite Paul Seixas, a controversial decision by the organizers to neutralize the race due to gravel on a descent, and a heated debate over whether the peloton should have waited for the crash victim. Despite the drama, the race unfolded with tactical brilliance—Del Toro executed a masterclass in patience, letting rivals like Ayuso and Tuckwell exhaust themselves before launching a decisive attack on the final climb. Ayuso impressed with a strong climb, while Tuckwell, though still in yellow, lost critical time. The GC battle is now razor-close: Del Toro sits just seven seconds behind Jorgensen, with Seixas potentially out of contention. The podcast ends with a bold prediction: Del Toro will win the overall, not by brute force, but by waiting, pacing, and striking at the perfect moment—proving that in cycling, the smartest rider often wins. The episode dives deep into the psychology of racing, questioning whether waiting for a crash victim is honorable or just bad strategy.