Mark Cavendish (Dečuninck-Quick Step) was in the breakaway group on stage 7, further separating his rivals in the battle for the Tour de France green jersey.

The Manxman, who has already won two races this year, leads the points standings by 66 points over Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin Phoenix).

The green jersey was the only major sprinter to enter the big break that formed on the road from Vierzon to Le Creusot.

Vincenzo Nibali, Toms Skuzins, Yasper Steiven (Trek-Segafredo), Philippe Gilbert, Harry Sweeney, Brent Van Meer (Lotto Soudal), Mathieu Van Der Pol, Xandro Muelisse ( Alpecin Phoenix), Wout Van Aert, Mike Theunissen (Jumbo Visma), Kasper Asgreen, Mark Cavendish (Detunink Quickstep), Imanol Erbiti, Ivan Cortina (Movistar), Magnus Korto ), Ruben Guerreiro (EF-Nippo), Michael Schar, Dorion Godon (AG2R Citroen), Jan Bakelants Boy Van Poppel (Intermarché Wanty-Gobert), Simon Yates (Team Bike Exchange), Dylan Van Barre ( Ineos Grenadiers), Patrick Konrad (Bora-Hansgrohe), Christophe Laporte (Cofidis), Victor Kampenaerts (Cubeka Next Hash), Soren Kragh Andersen (Team DSM), Matej Mohoric ( Bahrain Victorious), Hugo Houle (Astana-Premier Tech), and Franck Bonnamour (B&B Hotels) escaped after a fierce competition.

In Saint-Bénin d'Azi, an intermediate sprint took place at the 115km mark, and sprinters looking to take the green jersey had to be careful.

Cavendish was without his main rivals, including Philipsen, Michael Matthews (Team BikeExchange), and Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe).

In Saint-Bénin d'Azi, Asgreen gave Cavendish a perfect leadout, with the former road race world champion and 2011 green jersey winner defeating Van Poppel and Mohoric for the maximum 20 points.

Cavendish now leads Philipsen by 66 points.

1 Mark Cavendish (GBr) Deceuninck-QuickStep 168

2 Jasper Philipsen (Bel) Alpecin-Fenix 102

3 Nasser Bouhanni (Fra) Team Arkea- Samsic 99

4 Michael Matthews (Aus) Team BikeExchange 96

5 Mathieu Van Der Pol (Ned) Alpecin- Fenix 84

6 Julien Alaphilippe (France) Deceuninck- QuickStep 84

7 Peter Sagan (Sweden) Bora Hansgrohe 72

8 Sonny Colbrelli (ITA) Bahrain Victorias 66

9 Tadej Pogacar (Slo) UAE Team Emirates 64

10 Tim Mellier (Belgium) Alpecin Phoenix 62 [35