Tour de France 2011: Stage seven - in pictures

The seventh stage of the Tour de France covers 218km (135.5 miles) from Le Mans to Chateauroux in central France Photograph: Christophe Ena/AP

There are plenty of curious sights and spectators along the way ... Photograph: Joel Saget/AFP/Getty Images

These kids have taken advantage of a straw-bundle mountain. Their banner says: 'Tour de France 2011, Long life Touraine's riders' Photograph: Joel Saget/AFP/Getty Images

More creative use of straw, here. It's meant to look like a bicycle, in case you're wondering Photograph: Pascal Pavani/AFP/Getty Images

Hard to know who's more perplexed - the horse or the cyclists Photograph: Stefano Rellandini/Reuters

The cows don't seem overly fussed Photograph: Christophe Ena/AP

Over the Montrichard bridge they go Photograph: Denis Balibouse/Reuters

Some obligatory sunflowers provide a colourful backdrop Photograph: Michael Steele/Getty Images

Thor Hushovd, in the yellow jersey, is well placed within the pack as they pass through the village of Lavardin Photograph: Christophe Ena/AP

A French cameraman performs a delicate balancing act. Imagine the carnage there'll be if he falls off Photograph: Laurent Cipriani/AP

Speaking of carnage, Bradley Wiggins has just hit the deck as part of major crash in the main pack. No no, it wasn't the cameraman's fault. Just too many riders and too little tarmac Photograph: Christophe Ena/AP

Wiggins, who was placed sixth in the overall standings, holds his left shoulder and makes no effort to clamber back onto his bike - it must be something serious Photograph: Christophe Ena/AP

Indeed it is. The Sky rider is taken to hospital with what is suspected to be a broken collar bone. That's the end of his Tour Photograph: Christophe Ena/AP

Those who escaped the crash are now bearing down on the finish line ... Needless to say Britain's Mark Cavendish, right, is in the hunt Photograph: Laurent Rebours/AP

The HTC rider beats Italy's Alessandro Petacchi to the finish line Photograph: Nathalie Magniez/AFP/Getty Images

Cavendish looks overwhelmed. It has doubtless brought back memories of his first ever stage win, which he achieved here in 2008 Photograph: Michael Steele/Getty Images

Cavendish and his team-mates celebrate another successful sprint finish. The Manxman is now in the top 10 on the all-time list for stage victories Photograph: Bryn Lennon/Getty Images