After a great lead out of Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team, British champion Mark Cavendish won  stage 7 of Tour of Britain. This was his second stage win, with another sprint possible in London on the final stage tomorrow.

OPQS worked all day to reel in an escape group. When the four riders were caught with 6km to go, the complete OPQS team worked at the front of the peloton in order to get Cavendish in a perfect spot for the sprint. With 1.4 kilometers to go, Cavendish still had two OPQS riders in front of him. Alessandro Petacchi did a great job as the final lead out man by creating a small gap in the technical final meters. Cavendish launched his sprint from a perfect position.

Elia Viviani (Cannondale) approached on the left side, but with a powerful final jump, Cavendish secured the stage win. Gerald Ciolek (Team MTN-Qhubeka) was 3rd. This was the 55th win for OPQS (53rd road) in three disciplines in 2013.

"With four riders in the breakaway, we knew we had a chance to control and try to go for the win," Sport Director Brian Holm said. "Cannondale worked with us all day. Petacchi did a great leadout, but Viviani came on very strong in the final meters. The sprint was almost too long, but Cav [Cavendish]had a second acceleration. I know the sprint from last year — when Cav also won — and it's a very hard sprint. I have to say Mark is in good shape because to beat Viviani and Ciolek on the cobblestones and on an uphill sprint, you have to be in good condition. But the guys also did a great job getting him to the sprint. They worked on the front all day. I'm happy about the team and our attitude here at Tour of Britain. Tomorrow we will give it a try again, this time in London."

"Today was a beautiful stage, I really enjoyed riding it," Cavendish said. "The team did a great job controlling the race from the beginning. The guys controlled with five riders pulling for the sprint. Julien Vermote, Iljo Keisse, and Martin Velits were on the front all day, and then Michal Golas and Alessandro Petacchi did great work in the final. I'm really proud of them. Heading into the sprint, they rode so hard they did some damage in the peloton from putting on the pressure. Then inside the last kilometer, Peta [Petacchi] led me out as usual. I went probably a bit too long, last year I did the same thing as well. I saw Viviani was coming up on me so I had to do the second kick to pass him again. I am really happy because it was a good move and a good sprint, especially since it wasn't so easy being uphill and on the cobbles. I am happy about it and looking forward to the next stages."