FRENCHMAN Sylvain Chavanel won his second stage of the Tour de France to reclaim the leader’s yellow jersey in the ski resort of Les Rousses.

The Quick Step rider won stage seven with a dramatic solo attack on the final climb of the day in the Jura Mountains to seize the maillot jaune from Saxo Bank’s Fabian Cancellara, who lost more than 14 minutes after cracking on the decisive ascent, the second category Cote de Lamour.

In what was a remarkable day for both Quick Step and France, Chavanel’s team-mate and compatriot Jerome Pineau consolidated his lead in the King of the Mountains classification by taking maximum points over five of the day’s six peaks.

Chavanel, who led the race for one day in the opening week, now leads Australia’s Cadel Evans (BMC) by 1 minute and 25 seconds in the overall standings, with Canadian Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin-Transitions) third at 1:32.

The 165.5 kilometre stage from Tournus into the Jura Mountains was brought alive by an early break by the polka-dot jersey Pineau, who attacked early on with four other riders.

Under fierce sun and in temperatures that rose to a sweltering 34 degrees centigrade, the leading quintet had built up a solid gap of 8:30 by the time they reached the first test of the day, the third category Cote de l’Aubepin.

A pattern soon emerged, with Pineau being allowed by his companions to take maximum points over all the summits. Meanwhile, the group’s lead was being whittled down to below the three-minute mark.

On the start of the penultimate climb of the day, the second category Col de la Croix de la Serra, the race burst into life when Thomas Voeckler of Bbox

Bouygues initiated an attack from the peloton, taking a handful of riders with him, including Damiano Cunego (Lampre), Juan Manuel Garate (Rabobank) and team-mate Cyril Gautier.

Chavanel was not part of the initial attack, but soon launched himself from the peloton in pursuit of the chasing group, which he joined just ahead of the summit. (Eurosport)