Kim Kirchen pinches stage seven win in Switzerland

LUXEMBOURG'S Kim Kirchen grabbed victory in stage seven of the Tour de Suisse as Columbia High-Road continue to dominate in Switzerland.

It is the fifth time a Columbia High Road rider has captured stage victory this week, after GB's Mark Cavendish secured two victories, adding to Michael Albasini's Bernhard Eisel's wins.

Kirchen, 30, attacked in the final kilometre of an uphill finish and passed Roman Kreuziger of the Czech Republic just before the line of the 204km stage - the longest of the race.

Defending champion Kreuziger built up a 17-second lead over the chasing pack with just two kilometres to go but Kirchen timed his run to perfection to claim victory.

Slovenia's Tadej Valjavec of the AG2R team retained the overall race lead.

Saturday's 182-km eighth stage is from Le Sentier to Crans-Montana, while the nine-day race ends in Berne on Sunday with a 39-km individual time trial.