Christopher Froome finished on the podium in the 2011 Vuelta a España, and now the Team Sky rider wants the same success in 2012 Tour de France. On the first mountaintop finish of the 2012 Tour de France, Froome was the only one who could match Cadel Evans (BMC) in the final 100 meters of the climb up La Planche des Belles Filles in the seventh stage and Froome even topped the Australian, with Sky's Bradley Wiggins in third.

Fabian Cancellara tried to remain in yellow, but the climb was too long and hard and he had to drop back on the final climb. Wiggins moved into the overall lead, with Evans in second at 10 seconds. Vincenzo Nibali is third at 16 seconds.

“It wasn't the plan to go for the stage, it was just keeping Brad up there,” said Froome. “But we came to see the climb previously and I knew what the finish was like. I thought, 'I'm there, I've got the legs, why not give a kick and see what happens?' I gave it a nudge and couldn't believe when Cadel didn't follow my wheel."

Froome and Wiggins' Team Sky was the dominant team at the climb, where they dropped several big names along the way. The team set a high speed and in the end, Froome and Wiggins led the leading group with Evans and Nibali into the final kilometer. Evans was the first to jump from the group and only Froome could go with him. As the finish came closer, Froome passed the Australian to claim his first Tour de France stage victory.

“I was expecting someone to surge on that flat bit, and Cadel came through. I jumped onto his wheel. I could see him slowly hurting as the climb got steeper. that was fantastic for us. Having Bradley right there 2 seconds behind, We couldn't ask for more. It puts the team in a fantastic position going forward.

“I'm speechless. That was a dream come true. I never thought of winning a stage here. I'm chuffed to bits.”