LONDON, Sept 17, 2010 (AFP) – Slovenia’s Borut Bozic took out the seventh stage of the Tour of Britain on Friday after beating New Zealand’s Greg Henderson in a two-up sprint.

Bozic, who rides for Dutch outfit Vacansoleil, clocked 3hr 24min 15sec for the 152.3km stage between Bury St Edmunds and Colchester to chip away at his deficit to Italian Michael Albasini.

HTC-Columbia rider Albasini held an overnight lead of 1:26 and 1:27 on Bozic and Australian Richie Porte, and saw that advantage reduced to 1:05 and 1:14 respectively.

However unless catastrophe strikes, Albasini should secure overall victory after Saturday’s circuit race around the streets of London.

Porte, who rides for Saxo Bank, led home a group of riders three seconds behind Bozic and Henderson.

Classement de l’étape:
1. Borut Bozic (SLO/Vacansoleil) 3 h 24:15.
2. Greg Henderson (NZL/Sky) m.t.
3. Richie Porte (Saxo Bank) à 3.
4. Pierpaolo De Negri (ITA/ISD-Neri) m.t.
5. Koen De Kort (NED/Skil-Shimano) m.t.

Classement général:
. Classement général:
1. Michael Albasini (ITA/HTC-Columbia) 27 h 26:40.
2. Borut Bozic (SLO/Vacansoleil) à 1:05.
3. Richie Porte (AUS/Saxo Bank) 1:14.
4. Greg Henderson (NZL/Sky) 1:16.
5. Johnny Hoogerland (NED/Vacansoleil) 1:32.