In stage seven, the first in the Pyrenees, Steve Cummings (Team Dimension Data) soloed over the final climb, the Col d'Aspin, and descended into the finish at Lac de Payolle where he took victory.
Van Avermaet came fifth and extended his lead.
Orica–BikeExchange's Adam Yates attacked the chasing group and as he passed underneath the one kilometer to go arch it collapsed on top of, and injured, him.
In the following stage Chris Froome attacked the front of the race of overall favourites as they passed the summit of the Col de Peyresourde, descending to the finish in Bagneres de Luchon to take a solo victory by thirteen seconds.
This put him in the yellow jersey, sixteen seconds ahead of Yates in second, with Rafał Majka (Tinkoff) taking the polka dot.
In the Tour's queen stage, the ninth, Tom Dumoulin of Team Giant–Alpecin broke clear of the large breakaway to claim the win at the Andorra-Arcalis.
Thibaut Pinot took the lead of the mountains classification.
Contador abandoned the race, citing a fever which had developed overnight.
The next day was the first rest day of the Tour.
Another breakaway succeeded in stage ten, with Orica–BikeExchange using their advantage of having three riders in the small group to give Michael Matthews the win.
Sagan, who came second, took the lead in the points classification.

On stage eleven, Sagan forced a move in the final 12 km (7.5 mi) with his teammate Maciej Bodnar, who were followed by Froome and his teammate Geraint Thomas.
They opened up a lead of over twenty seconds and held it to six seconds at the finish, where Sagan beat Froome in a sprint.
A successful breakaway saw De Gendt win stage twelve at the finish at Chalet Reynard, which was changed from the intended summit finish at Mont Ventoux, 6 km (3.7 mi) later, due to dangerous winds.
In the chasing group of overall favourites, a leading group of Porte, Froome and Bauke Mollema (Trek–Segafredo) crashed into the back of a camera motorbike that was stopped by the encroaching spectators.
Froome's bike was unrideable and he was forced to run until he was given a bike from a neutral service car; although it did not fit him he managed to ride until he received his team bike.
The race jury gave Froome and Porte the same time as Mollema, who later criticised the jury's decision, suggesting that they would have acted differently if he was the one to go down.
De Gendt took the lead of the mountains classification.
Stage thirteen's 37.5 km (23.3 mi) individual time trial was won by Dumoulin, 1:03 ahead of Froome, who extended his lead over his nearest rival (Mollema) to one minute and forty-seven seconds.
Cavendish won his fourth stage the next day with a bunch sprint at the Parc des Oiseaux.
In stage seven, the first in the Pyrenees, Steve Cummings (Team Dimension Data) soloed over the final climb, the Col d'Aspin, and descended into the finish at Lac de Payolle where he took victory. Van Avermaet came fifth and extended his lead. Orica–BikeExchange's Adam Yates attacked the chasing group and as he passed underneath the one kilometer to go arch it collapsed on top of, and injured, him. In the following stage Chris Froome attacked the front of the race of overall favourites as they passed the summit of the Col de Peyresourde, descending to the finish in Bagneres de Luchon to take a solo victory by thirteen seconds. This put him in the yellow jersey, sixteen seconds ahead of Yates in second, with Rafał Majka (Tinkoff) taking the polka dot. In the Tour's queen stage, the ninth, Tom Dumoulin of Team Giant–Alpecin broke clear of the large breakaway to claim the win at the Andorra-Arcalis. Thibaut Pinot took the lead of the mountains classification. Contador abandoned the race, citing a fever which had developed overnight. The next day was the first rest day of the Tour. Another breakaway succeeded in stage ten, with Orica–BikeExchange using their advantage of having three riders in the small group to give Michael Matthews the win. Sagan, who came second, took the lead in the points classification.
On stage eleven, Sagan forced a move in the final 12 km (7.5 mi) with his teammate Maciej Bodnar, who were followed by Froome and his teammate Geraint Thomas. They opened up a lead of over twenty seconds and held it to six seconds at the finish, where Sagan beat Froome in a sprint. A successful breakaway saw De Gendt win stage twelve at the finish at Chalet Reynard, which was changed from the intended summit finish at Mont Ventoux, 6 km (3.7 mi) later, due to dangerous winds. In the chasing group of overall favourites, a leading group of Porte, Froome and Bauke Mollema (Trek–Segafredo) crashed into the back of a camera motorbike that was stopped by the encroaching spectators. Froome's bike was unrideable and he was forced to run until he was given a bike from a neutral service car; although it did not fit him he managed to ride until he received his team bike. The race jury gave Froome and Porte the same time as Mollema, who later criticised the jury's decision, suggesting that they would have acted differently if he was the one to go down. De Gendt took the lead of the mountains classification. Stage thirteen's 37.5 km (23.3 mi) individual time trial was won by Dumoulin, 1:03 ahead of Froome, who extended his lead over his nearest rival (Mollema) to one minute and forty-seven seconds. Cavendish won his fourth stage the next day with a bunch sprint at the Parc des Oiseaux.
2016 Tour de France