TOUR DE FRANCE 2007: RASMUSSEN WINS STAGE EIGHT AND TAKES YELLOW JERSEY
Click here to watch a highlights video of stage eight
Click here to see a gallery of photos from stage eight
Denmark?s Michael Rasmussen (Rabobank) won the tough Alpine stage to Tignes, pulled on the yellow jersey and took control of the climber?s polka-dot jersey on Sunday as the overall contenders showed their strengths and weaknesses for the first time in this year?s race.
Rasmussen jumped away from the peloton on the first big climb and then powered past a big early break. He was first over the two big category one climbs and also took maximum points by winning the stage in Tignes. He won by almost three minutes and took the yellow jersey from Saturday's winner Linus Gerdemann (T-Mobile) by 43 seconds.
Iban Mayo (Saunier Duval) finished second at 2-47 and moved up to third overall at 2-39. Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d?Epargne) finished third at 3-12, just ahead of Christophe Moreau (Ag2r), Frank Schleck (CSC), Cadel Evans (Predictor), Andrey Kashechkin (Astana) and Alberto Contador (Discovery Channel) after Moreau made an early attack at the start of the 18km climb to the finish in Tignes.
Alexandre Vinokourov and Andreas Kloden (Astana) were the big losers of the day. Vino was clearly unable to respond to Moreau?s attack and puffed and blowed up the climb sitting on Kloden?s wheel. The German gradually closed the gap by setting a solid tempo but in the final kilometres of the climb, Vino was in serious trouble and Kloden lost time by waiting for him and pacing him to the finish. The Astana duo finished 4-29 behind Rasmussen but more importantly lost a precious 1-16 to Valverde, Schleck, Evans and Moreau.
In the overall standing Vino is now 22nd overall, 5-23 behind Rasmussen, 2-32 behind Valverde and almost as much behind Evans, Moreau, Contador, Schleck and Denis Menchov (Rabobank). Kloden is better placed at 3-46 behind Rasmussen but for some reason sacrificed his chances to help Vino. They now have Monday?s rest day to recover and lick their wounds but could face similar attacks on Tuesday?s stage to Briancon that includes the Col du Galibier. The pair are clearly riding on the defensive and their rivals now know it.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
The stage was marked with several nasty crashes, with Michael Rogers (T-Mobile) forced to retire 30km from the finish after hurting his right shoulder. Fellow Aussie Stuart O'Grady (CSC) also crashed out, while Britain's Mark Cavendish (T-Mobile) quit at the mid-stage feed zone after being dropped early in the day.
Sprinters Robbie McEwen (Predictor-Lotto) and Danilo Napolitano (Lampre-Fondital) both finished outside the stage's time limit and are now out of the Tour. In total, eight riders droppped out on today's stage - the highest so far.
Click here to watch a highlights video of stage eight
Click here to see a gallery of photos from stage eight
TOUR DE FRANCE: STAGE EIGHT RESULTS
1 Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank 4.49.40 (34.18 km/h)
2 Iban Mayo Diez (Spa) Saunier Duval 2.47
3 Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 3.12
4 Christophe Moreau (Fra) AG2r 3.13
5 Frank Schleck (Lux) Team CSC
6 Cadel Evans (Aus) Predictor
7 Andrey Kashechkin (Kaz) Astana
8 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Discovery Channel 3.31
9 Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank 3.35
10 Carlos Sastre (Spa) Team CSC
18 Andreas Kloden (Ger) Astana
19 Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz) Astana both at 4.29
Mark Cavendish (GBr) T-Mobile did not finish
British riders
130 David Millar (GBr) Saunier Duval ? Prodir 39.07
144 Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Cofidis
159 Geraint Thomas (GBr) Barloworld
172 Charles Wegelius (GBr) Liquigas all same time
OVERALL CLASSIFICATION AFTER STAGE EIGHT
1 Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank 35.37.42
2 Linus Gerdemann (Ger) T-Mobile Team 0.43
3 Iban Mayo (Spa) Saunier Duval 2.39
4 Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 2.51
5 Andrey Kashechkin (Kaz) Astana 2.52
6 Cadel Evans (Aus) Predictor 2.53
7 Christophe Moreau (Fra) AG2r 3.06
8 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Discovery Channel 3.10
9 Frank Schleck (Lux) Team CSC 3.14
10 Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank 3.19
11 Carlos Sastre (Spa) Team CSC 3.35
12 Andreas Kloden (Ger) Astana 3.46
22 Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz) Astana 5.23
Other british riders
88 David Millar (GBr) Saunier Duval - Prodir 41.58
104 Charles Wegelius (GBr) Liquigas 50.43
151 Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Cofidis 1.06.14
160 Geraint Thomas (GBr) Barloworld 1.09.22
Click here to see a gallery of photos from stage eight
Click here to watch a highlights video of stage eight
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Founded in 1891, Cycling Weekly and its team of expert journalists brings cyclists in-depth reviews, extensive coverage of both professional and domestic racing, as well as fitness advice and 'brew a cuppa and put your feet up' features. Cycling Weekly serves its audience across a range of platforms, from good old-fashioned print to online journalism, and video.
-
Has cycling's most affordable pro bike brand just launched its aero machine?Van Rysel set to equip Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale with new RCR-F in 2025
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Even if you ride a lot, here's why you shouldn't skip leg day at the gymThink your legs get enough exercise? A little gym time can unlock big strength and performance gains.
By Greg Kaplan Published
