Tour de France 2010: Stage 8

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January 1 - July 25, Station des Rousses, France, Road - GT

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Hello and welcome to the Cyclingnews live coverage of stage eight of the Tour de France.

The 189km stage is the first major rendezvous of the Tour, with a mountaintop finish at Morzine-Avoriaz.

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In fact it was right at the front of the bunch.  There was a touch of wheels and Gerrans and Sorenson were also among those who went down. Cadel Evans was caught up behind but is now safely back in the bunch.

Kiryienka has about ten seconds on the bunch. Meanwhile Jerome Pineau is chasing to get back on.

178km remaining from 189km

Kiryienka has been brought back and the peloton is getting stretched out. A lot of riders keen to get up the road before the serious climbing later in the stage.

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Cadel Evans is safely in the middle of the bunch in his rainbow jersey.

Now Christophe Moreau is trying to get a little group across to the man in front.

Moreau's group has bridged up to Taaramae. Also in there are Lars Boom, Simon Spilak and Cyril Gauthier.

Jerome Pineau is still trying to work his way back up to the peloton with Brent Bookwalter on his wheel.

168km remaining from 189km

Now on the first climb of the day, the 4th category Cote de la Petite Joux (2.3km, 4.3%). Omega Pharma-Lotto are chasing behind, they haven't got a man in the break up front and are pulling it back in again. 

Taaramae, Spilak, Moreau, Gauthier and Boom are the five up front on the climb. Taaramae is riding very aggressively today.

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Johannes Frohlinger (Milram) was second over the climb in a group of about twelve riders that is just ahead of the peloton.

Taaramae has been caught and now a new group led by Mario Aerts (Omega Pharma-Lotto) is pressing ahead.

A little group has been dropped off the back of the peloton, and it includes the Rabobank duo of Denis Menchov and Juan Manuel Garate. They would not have been expected to be in trouble this early on the stage, but the pace is very high. Tony Martin is also back there.

The peloton is completely strung out on the descent. Mario Aerts' group is 17 seconds clear at the moment.

Seven riders up front now, this could be the break that sticks. Benoit Vaugrenard (Francaise des Jeux) is also up there with Aerts. Meanwhile, Denis Menchov has made it back in to the main group.

153km remaining from 189km

The riders in the break are Mario Aerts (Omega Pharma-Lotto), Koos Moernhout (Rabobank), Benoit Vagrenard (FdJ), Christophe Riblon (AG2R), Imanol Erviti (Caisse d'Epargne), Sebastien Minard (Cofidis), Amael Moinard (Cofidis).

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Cadel Evans is now being attended to by Dr. Gerard Porte. He must have come down in that crash earlier on. Indeed, his shorts are torn. Meanwhile, a queue of riders is forming behind Evans, all waiting for some medical attention. It's like a mobile doctor's waiting room back there. 

Cadel Evans has been doing his rainbow jersey proud this year, and it seems that he’s so keen to show off his rainbow stripes that he turned down the chance to chase the yellow jersey yesterday. "I'm satisfied to be sitting in second place," said Evans after yesterday’s stage. "To have taken the yellow jersey today would put a lot of pressure on the guys and it's a long way yet to go.” It may also be an indication of his lack of confidence in the ability of his BMC team to control the race. Evans himself was riding a more or less perfect Tour until today's crash, we'll have to wait and see how it affects him later in the stage.

147km remaining from 189km

Roman Kreuziger is next up for some medical attention at the back of the bunch. He's taken care of relatively quickly, and now it's Jerome Pineau's turn again. His Quick Step team are slowing things on the front.

Damiano Cunego and yellow jersey Sylvain Chavanel are chatting in the middle of the bunch. The pace has relaxed significantly now. The break out front will be given their head until the serious business at the end of the stage.

Christophe Riblon is the best placed of the breakaways. He is in 45th place overall, 8:05 down on Sylvain Chavanel's yellow jersey.

The orange of Koos Moerenhout is a reminder that the first major summit finish of the Tour isn’t the only huge sporting event taking place today. It will be interesting to see if Holland’s participation in tonight’s World Cup final will have any effect on the numbers of Dutch fans on the roadside today. They always come in huge numbers to the Alps, they’re as much a part of the scenery as the mountains themselves.

Meanwhile, Alberto Contador knows he’s going to have to do something pretty special today to get some column inches in the Spanish papers tomorrow if Spain win...

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Andy Schleck dropped back to his team car briefly and is now making his way back up to the bunch. He's in the white jersey today, and is looking to equal Jan Ullrich in winning the young rider classification three years running. Ullrich was best young rider (though not white jersey wearer) in 1996, 1997 and 1998.

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In Vélo Magazine’s pre-Tour special, they rode up the climb of Avoriaz and rather sniffily suggested that it was a mountain for rouleurs and that the real climbing will come in the Pyrenees.
Fabian Cancellara will certainly hope they’re right. He suffered horribly yesterday and finished 14:12 behind Chavanel to relinquish his yellow jersey. “It was just too much, I just couldn’t do any more,” said the Swiss rider afterwards. “I’ve had great days in the yellow jersey, but in my normal jersey things will be a bit more calm, and less stressful.”
 

We’ve seen some legendary finishes in Morzine over the years, both in the town itself and atop Avoriaz. The last time the Tour finished at Morzine-Avoriaz was in 2003, when Richard Virenque held on up front to take the stage and yellow. In 1994, Piotr Ugrumov beat Marco Pantani and Miguel Indurain up here in a time trial in the Tour’s final week.

Amaël Moinard is riding his third Tour de France. He was a fine 15th in his first Tour in 2008, and was disappointed to finish 65th last time around. This season has gone quite well for him so far, he took a fine stage win at Paris-Nice in March and the mountains classification. Speaking of which, Jerome Pineau has dragged his polka dots back up to the front of the bunch.

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For those of you playing our Easton-Cyclingnews Wheelset a Day Giveaway during the Tour de France, here is your trivia question for the day:

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Benoît Vaugrenard is from Vannes, one of the heartlands of Breton cycling. He'll be disappointed that the Tour isn't visiting the western peninsula this year. Indeed, before the Tour, he spoke of his intentions to start building his season around other events from next year on. He had a very solid 8th place in Liege-Bastogne-Liege last year. This year he has won stages in the Quatre Jours de Dunkerque and the Volta ao Algarve.

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Another Morzine memory. Of all of Marco Pantani’s victories, one of his most underrated is his win into Morzine in 1997. His attack on the Joux Plane was arguably the most clinical of his career, as the Festina and Telekom teams looked the other way en masse, nobody wanting to try to match his pace. His daredevil descent down into town sealed the stage.

Cofidis have two men in the lead group. It's clearly been a tactic of theirs to get men in the early break today, as Rein Taaramae was especially aggressive in the early part of the stage.

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Sylvain Chavanel is looking pleased to back in the yellow jersey. Whatever else happens in the Tour, he can be pleased with his work to date. If he manages to hold on to yellow in Morzine, it would be yet another bonus in what has been a dream race for the Frenchman.

Of course, the last time the Tour was in Morzine was in 2006. Floyd Landis was first across the line that day, he turned the race on its head with some Fausto Coppi-era time gaps to take back the yellow jersey he had lost the day before. We all know what happened next…

Landis is a major story in the background of this year’s Tour, given his recent confessions and allegations in relation to the US Postal team. It’s a story that’s set to run and run over the coming months.

Indeed, UCI President Pat McQuaid spoke exclusively to Cyclingnews last week and had this to say on the Landis allegations. “Doping has been going on in sport for centuries. Do we really want to go backwards all the time and keep opening investigations for accusation that someone makes? I'd rather concentrate on the present and future. Since becoming UCI President I've tried to work on today and tomorrow. That's where I we can make a difference.”

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A quick reminder of the men in this breakaway group.

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The average speed for the second hour of racing was 40km/h but the average speed to date is 45.4km/h. It just shows how tough the start of the stage was, there was a flurry of attacking in the opening kilometres. Things have settled down considerably now, and there are a lot of heavy legs in the peloton that will be glad of that.

The cameras pan out for the obligatory "horse riding alongside peloton" shot. The bunch has slowed as they pass through the feed zone.

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Lance Armstrong isn't looking especially happy in the bunch. He's been in the wars in this Tour, and his woes are continuing this weekend it seems. He told L’Équipe that he’s been suffering from saddle sores that are making it difficult to sit on the saddle. He certainly isn't looking as comfortable as usual on the bike.

Armstrong has kept us all entertained with his macabre references to hammers and nails that have been a recurring motif of his thoughts on this year’s race.

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The next difficulty is the 1st category Col de la Ramaz, which is 14.3km at 6.8%. We're still about 30km away from the foot of the climb mind.

Johannes Frohlinger (Milram) has just crashed at the back of the bunch. He fell all by himself, he clipped a traffic island. It was a temporary loss of concentration that could have cost him dearly but he's back in the saddle with just a front wheel change to report.

Meanwhile the peloton bowls past an accordian player who hams it up agreeably for the cameras. It's pretty relaxed now in the middle of the stage as we touch along the Swiss border near Geneva.

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Wiggins and Cancellara are back in the bunch. Cunego is among the cars, it's looks like he went back for some mechanical help.

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Andy Schleck is looking very smooth in the bunch. Today is a big, big day in his Tour de France challenge.

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Garmin may have lost Christian Vande Velde to injury and Bradley Wiggins to Team Sky, but might Ryder Hesjedal be their surprise package in this year’s Tour?

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Crash in the peloton. Armstrong was among those who went down. He's back up straight away and is chasing back on with his RadioShack team.

The back of Armstrong's jersey is scuffed and torn, but he doesn't seem to be hurt himself. He had a bike change but is having to fight hard to get back on. The pace was just beginning to go up when he fell, it was a bad time to have a tumble. 

Armstrong is at the back of a string of RadioShack riders chasing the peloton. He doesn't appear to be injured, but his morale must really be taking a battering in this Tour. He's 30 seconds off the back of the bunch.

Garmin-Transitions are on the front of the bunch.

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We're on the Col de la Ramaz now. 14.3km at 6.8%. Juan Antonio Flecha is on the front of the bunch for Team Sky. Meanwhile there's an autobus forming at the back. Freire, Hushovd and Cavendish are all there together. So too is Alessandro Petacchi.

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Moerenhout has opened out a bit of a gap on his breakaway companions. Sky are a very visible presence at the front of the bunch. Bradley Wiggins is very well placed. Damiano Cunego is among those struggling at the back.

Moinard and Aerts have set out in pursuit of Moerenhout. The Ramaz is shattering the day's early breakaway.

Sky are laying down the pace now at the front of the bunch. Wiggins is in third position in the line.

44km remaining from 189km

Aerts and Moinard have worked their way up to Moerenhout at the front.

Sky seem determined to lay down a marker on this climb. Their pace is dropping men off the back of the bunch, but not making any sort of selection among the big hitters just yet.

David De La Fuente (Astana) and Yaroslav Popovych (RadioShack) have been dropped. Two key lieutentants for Contador and Armstrong are gone. Jerome Pineau has also been dropped. Sylvain Chavanel is still near the front in his yellow jersey, as is Cadel Evans.

41km remaining from 189km

Sky are still on the front of the peloton, with Flecha in first place, followed by Lofkvist and Wiggins. All of the major favourites are still here. Contador, Andy Schleck, Armstrong, Evans and Basso all towards the front. Sylvain Chavanel is still very prominent in his yellow jersey.

Flecha has blown and dropped off the front. It's an interesting tactic from Sky. They're shedding riding from the rear of the bunch but Wiggins is now also tiring out his own support for the final climb. At the same time Sergio Paulinho is gone out the back for RadioShack.

Sylvain Chavanel has been dropped. He was looking quite comfortable earlier on the climb, but the Sky pace has clearly taken it's toll.

Mario Aerts is setting a steady tempo at the front with Moerenhout and Moinard on his wheel. The lead trio are riding very sensibly to maintain 3:05 over the Sky-led group and 3:47 over Chavanel who looks to have blown completely. Understandable, he rode his heart out yesterday. Vladimir Karpets is in the group with Chavanel.

Christophe Le Mevel has been dropped by the Sky pace. This is somewhat surpising, he came here looking for a top ten finish. 3km from the top of the climb.

Saxo Bank now taking up the pace on the front and Janez Brajkovic has been dropped for RadioShack.

Lance Armstrong has been dropped! He appears to have blown. He's pedalling very slowly with his jersey wide open and his head dropped. He's already over 20 seconds down on Contador, Schleck et al.

Armstrong had been looking uncomfortable all day, even before his crash. Astana have gone to the front of the group of the main favourites.

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Vinokourov and Kloden have also been dropped now. Astana picking up the pace.

Alberto Contador has Cadel Evans on his wheel. Both men looking relatively comfortable in this group. As things stand, Cadel Evans is riding his way into yellow, but there's still a lot of climbing to go.

A kilometre to the summit for the leading trio. Armstrong is 40 seconds behind the Astana-led group of the favourites. Vinokourov has got back on and is at the front now.

Armstrong's pedal strokes are leaden at this stage. It's going to be a long day for the Texan.

34km remaining from 189km

It's 1:55 back to the group of favourites and 2:45 back to Armstrong near the top of the Ramaz.

Armstrong is really suffering now. The gap to Contador is rising all the time. Horner and Brajkovic are staying with Armstrong, but it's hard to see them bringing him back up. He is in a decent-sized group, but it's a group of tired riders.

The Astana-led group are on the rapid descent to Fry. Andy Schleck is in this group, and now he's dropped back to speak with his team car.

27km remaining from 189km

Ryder Hesjedal is still up there with the Contador group on the descent. He's now in second place overall on the road.

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Anthony Charteau has got across to Vinokourov at the foot of Les Gets. He's been very active today.

Aerts, Moerenhout and Moinard are still off the front, with Charteau trying to get across. Astana controlling matters on the front of the Contador group.

Alberto Contador is sitting in the wheels looking very calm. Andy Schleck is two riders bike observing him intently.

21km remaining from 189km

Aerts led over Les Gets from Moerenhout and Moinard. They have just about two minutes of an advantage over the group led by Contador's platoon of Astana riders.

Armstrong's group looks to have sat up. It may be that he simply doesn't have the legs to even attempt to chase back on.

Disaster for Armstrong! Egoi Martinez crashed in front of him just as they crested the top of Les Gets.

Armstrong didn't fall but he had to get off his bike to avoid hitting the deck. He wasn't even angry at this misfortune. His morale seems to be broken completely. At moments like this, he must be wondering why he came back.

Back at the front of the race, the three leaders are approaching the sprint in the town of Morzine ahead of the final climb to Avoriaz.

Anthony Charteau has been recaptured by the Contador group.

14km remaining from 189km

Sastre is suffering on the back of the Contador group at the foot of the final climb as Astana set a locomotive pace.

Alberto Contador, Andy Schleck, Cadel Evans and Bradley Wiggins are all up here near the front of this rapidly-moving group. For now Astana's pace is discouraging any would-be attackers.

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Sastre is at the back of the Contador group. He always struggles in the early part of the major climbs, but he's hanging on in there.

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Andy Schleck, Cadel Evans and Ivan Basso are queuing up in Contador's wheel. Someone is surely going to make a move soon.

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Joaquim Rodriguez has accelerated out of the Contador group. There is no response behind.

Alexandre Vinokourov has been dropped by the Contador group.

Let's remind ourselves that if the stage ended now, Cadel Evans would be in the yellow jersey with 30 seconds over Schleck and a minute over Contador. There are still 7km of climbing to come mind.

Moerenhout has been caught by the Astana train, who are really starting to eat up the terrain.

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Joaquin Rodriguez is just about to catch Moinard and Aerts.

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It's all come back together again as they spread across the road.

Robert Gesink attacks down the left hand side of the road. Samuel Sanchez follows, and now Contador, Schleck and Evans are safely across.

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Andy Schleck attacks under the red kite and Contador can't respond. Evans struggling at the back.

Samuel Sanchez has joined Schleck. Contador doesn't have the legs to follow!

Sanchez leads Schleck with about 10 seconds over the rest.

Sancheza and Schleck will sprint it out.

Schleck gets it! His first stage win in the Tour de France. Gesink leads the rest of the main contenders over the line ten seconds further back.

It's only ten seconds, but a huge psychological blow for Andy Schleck. Cadel Evans takes over the yellow jersey.

Wiggins crosses the line1:45 down. He lost all of that time in the last 3km. It doesn't augur well for the rest of his Tour.

Overall Evans will have 0:20 over Andy Schleck and 1:01 over Alberto Contador.

Lance Armstrong is looking nailed to the road. He's riding in towards the finish without any thought for time.

Andy Schleck was delighted with that stage victory. It will be interesting to see Contador's response to this minor setback.

Sylvain Chavanel looks completely exhausted as he inches his way towards the top of the climb. He is the deserving recipient of some generous and warm applause, he's been outstanding thus far in the race.

Provisional stage result:

Provisional General classification after stage 8

Inside the last kilometre for Armstrong. He has lost an awful lot of time today.

Armstrong crosses the line 11:44 down, just behind Sylvain Chavanel.

A tough day on the bike for Armstrong, and some potentially tougher days ahead for him on all fronts.

The selection came from the back rather than the front on today's stage, but as ever on the first real day in the mountains in the Tour, we have found out who won't win the Tour. Meanwhile, up front, the race is very nicely poised.

Thanks for joining us for today's stage. Tomorrow is the Tour's first rest day, but we'll be back here on Tuesday for the 204.5km stage to Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne.

Stage result:

1 Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank 4:54:11
2 Samuel Sánchez Gonzalez (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi 0:00:00
3 Robert Gesink (Ned) Rabobank 0:00:10
4 Roman Kreuziger (Cze) Liquigas-Doimo 0:00:10
5 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Astana 0:00:10
6 Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team 0:00:10
7 Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto 0:00:10
8 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Team Radioshack 0:00:10
9 Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas-Doimo 0:00:10
10 Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank 0:00:10

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