Marcel Kittel beat Edvald Boasson Hagen in a photo finish on stage seven of the Tour de France on Friday.

It was the German’s second consecutive stage win at this year’s event and third overall.

‘On the finish line I thought this is going to be close, but at 150m I thought there were 200m to go and then I had to pray that the door goes open on the right-hand side and it was just enough,’ said Kittel. ‘I’m really, really proud … the team did a good lead-out and it’s just crazy. I’m so happy.’

The stage win saw Kittel take the green jersey, while Britain’s Chris Froome kept hold of the leader’s yellow jersey.

Stage seven result:

1. Marcel Kittel (Ger/Quick-Step) 5hrs 03mins 18secs
2. Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor/Dimension Data) Same time
3. Michael Matthews (Aus/Sunweb)
4. Alexander Kristoff (Nor/Katusha)
5. John Degenkolb (Ger/Trek)
6. Dylan Groenewegen (Ned/LottoNL)
7. Ruediger Selig (Ger/Bora)
8. Nacer Bouhanni (Fra/Cofidis)
9. Andre Greipel (Ger/Lotto)
10. Daniel McLay (GB/Fortuneo)

General classification after stage seven:

1. Chris Froome (GB/Team Sky) 28hrs 47mins 50secs
2. Geraint Thomas (GB/Team Sky) +12secs
3. Fabio Aru (Ita/Astana) +14secs
4. Daniel Martin (Ire/Quick-Step) +25secs
5. Richie Porte (Aus/BMC Racing) +39secs
6. Simon Yates (GB/Orica) +43secs
7. Romain Bardet (Fra/AG2R) +47secs
8. Alberto Contador (Spa/Trek) +52secs
9. Nairo Quintana (Col/Movistar) +54secs
10. Rafal Majka (Pol/Bora) +1min 01sec

Photo: Tour de France