KIRCHEN AND LOVKVIST RETAIN JERSEY'S

Team Columbia's Kim Kirchen held on to the yellow jersey today in the seventh stage of the Tour de France.  Kirchen finished in the front group, just seconds behind solo winner Luis Sanchez. 

On an undulating and challenging course Team Columbia worked hard to defend the jersey. Continual attacks made the job a tough one.

"We witnessed great teamwork today," explained Team Director Rolf Aldag.

"All of our guys went to their limit to protect the jersey."

"I personally in all my years of cycling haven't seen a day where it was harder to
defend the yellow jersey," he added.

Kirchen finished the day in fourth place, keeping both the maillot jaune and the
green points jersey.  Lovkvist finished just behind the second group and  held onto the white "young riders jersey."