Trek Factory Racing continued where they left off yesterday with another aggressive start in the 165.7-kilometer stage seven Monday despite a lack of hills and a pancake flat parcours.

Stagiaire Syzmon Rekita jumped into the early breakaway of six that looked promising as they built almost a half minute’s lead, but the peloton, not content with the formation, brought everything together and allowed the next move of four the freedom to ride.

“It was again the same scenario we have had every day. The race again was easily controlled and the last men from the break were caught at 3km to go,” explained director Adriano Baffi. “We tried to have Rekita in the break, to do something different, but the for the peloton it was not a good break. Anyway, it’s nice to see him and the rest of the team execute the plan, every day we do our maximum that is permitted with these type of roads.”

Everything ended in the seventh straight mass sprint, however, the usual suspects were unable to capitalize resulting in a new stage winner as German Tino Thomel (RTS-Santic) upset the race leader Sacha Modolo (Lampre-Merida) and second overall Andrea Palini (Skydive Dubai) – each with two wins – to claim the victory.

Fabio Silvestre made perhaps his best sprint of the race and was inches from taking his second podium as the top riders rushed across the line tightly bunch – but when the dust settled he landed in a familiar seventh place. His sixth top 10 in the tour.

“It was a straight shot of 3kms to the finish,” said Baffi.  “There was a slight front wind and practically 10 riders came across the finish line together. Fabio was again 7th but today I have to say he was very close to the victory. Straight after the line he was in front, but it was a bit too late.

“It has been good to see the guys all motivated and in a good mood. Everybody is going very well in the race. I am sad for Fabio today; he did a really nice sprint and only in the final meters did he lose the chance for a podium or victory.”

Tomorrow the Tour of Hainan will face its first big climbs in the queen stage of the nine-day race, and the GC, which to now has been a battle of seconds, will see it’s first and only test. Julien Bernard and Matthew Busche, quietly biding their time and staying out of trouble for the first seven days, will be ready to fire on all cylinders in Tuesday’s crucial penultimate stage.