Cummings' win could open up the road to Rio

An "ecstatic" Steve Cummings made a late bid for an Olympic place by storming to the second Tour de France stage win of his career.

Dimension Data rider Cummings, from Liverpool, shrugged off his rivals up the imposing Col d'Aspin to claim victory on stage seven by more than a minute from South African Daryl Impey.

Belgium's Greg Van Avermaet extended his overall race lead to six minutes and 36 seconds over Julian Alaphilippe.

Cummings, who won a stage last year, said: "I'm ecstatic for the team - it was a brilliant day."

When asked about British Cycling's decision not to include him in the road race team for next month's Rio Olympics, the 35-year-old said: "If I was the coach I would (pick me)."

Belfast Telegraph