With 55km to go, the breakaway pair's lead had shrunk to 5min 15secs - still significant, but down from over six minutes. A breakaway win would suit Canyon/Sram, as it would eliminate bonus seconds on the line. Vollering, definitely stronger in a sprint than Niewiadoma-Phinney, could look to cut the gap that way.
At 62km to go, the local steam train let off some whistles as riders passed en route to the intermediate sprint, a nice touch. Adegeest and Squiban took the 25 and 20 points respectively, but Wiebes pulled ahead of the peloton to snatch the 17 points for third.
By 72km to go, Squiban was kicking off at race officials because the UAE Team L'Imad car hadn't been supporting her with bidons and gels. Now they're up there, handing out cans of Coke, and she seems a little happier. Nothing says 'professional cycling' like a fizzy drink mid-stage.
78km to go and the distance is dropping rapidly on the descent. Average speed is nearly 50km/h, with splits in the peloton navigating down Col de Toutes Aures. This is the fun bit of being a pro rider - empty roads, incredible views. Yes please.
A cutaway interview with Kate Veronneau, director of women's strategy at Zwift (the Tour's title sponsor), revealed that 'we're not going to be having the same conversation next year about full coverage' and 'we're not even going to have an option' of not showing stages in full. She also hinted at extending the race beyond its current nine stages. Because why fix what isn't broken? Actually, it's broken, and they're fixing it.
95km to go: Squiban takes the mountains points. 99km: Coston is back with the peloton, break nearly six minutes ahead. Once over the category four climb, it's a lengthy descent towards the coast.
105km: Coston has no chance of catching the two leaders, gap over five minutes. She heads back. 110km: Adegeest takes two mountains points at Col des Robines. 113km: Coston is a minute ahead of the peloton but three minutes behind the lead pair. 123km: Morgane Coston (Ma Petite Enterprise) went off after the breakaway pair, 2min 35secs to make up. 137km: We have a breakaway - Maeva Squiban (UAE Team L'Imad) and Loes Adegeest (Lidl-Trek) are clear with 1min 30secs.
144km: Another Visma-Lease a Bike rider tries, Lieke Nooijen. 154km: Daniek Hengeveld (Visma-Lease a Bike) made an attack stick briefly, but only 12secs before being reeled in.
Yesterday's thrilling stage up Mont Ventoux set the scene. But pre-stage, Visma-Lease a Bike announced defending champion Pauline Ferrand-Prévot would not start stage eight due to illness. Statement: 'Unfortunately, Pauline was not feeling well this morning. In consultation with the medical staff, it has been decided that she will not start today. We wish Pauline a speedy recovery!' Translation: she couldn't keep up, but we're blaming a bug.
168km: Early attacks, nothing to write home about. Marion Rousse waves off riders, and we're on the road to Nice. Live pictures from TNT at 2.30pm BST.
Today's stage is listed as flat, but the first 75km are essentially an uphill drag, plus two category four climbs before Nice. Hard to see where GC contenders might attack, but it's not straightforward for sprinters either.
Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney was so impressive in snatching the yellow jersey, it's hard to imagine her crumbling now, but Demi Vollering is only some stage-win bonus seconds behind. This isn't over, but the window is narrowing for Vollering.
Lorena Wiebes sits pretty in green; if the SD Worx-Protime sprinter can manage the lumps, she's the obvious sprint candidate. Canyon - SRAM might have tactical advantages in getting someone in the break, so how they control the peloton is worth watching.
Given the momentum swings, one thing is certain: this won't be dull.