'I felt like a kid again out there, just trying to race my bike as fast as I could'
Chris Froome won stage eight of the Tour de France with a daring descent down the Col du Peyresourde

The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thank you for signing up to The Pick. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
Chris Froome tried something new on stage eight of the Tour de France. Attacking on a descent and winning a flat finish was something that the Team Sky leader had not experience before at the Tour, but the gamble paid off and propelled him into the yellow jersey.
The 31-year-old tried to get away from his rivals on the final climb, the Col de Peyresourde, but couldn't distance himself enough to make a decisive move.
But one final burst just before the summit saw the two-time Tour winner extend a lead down the fast descent and all the way to the finish line in Bagnères-de-Luchon.
"I felt like a kid again out there just trying to race my bike as fast as I could," Froome said while sitting in his latest yellow jersey.
"It was such a hard stage – there was barely time for a nature break. It really was one of the hardest stages I’ve done in a long time. I thought I needed to make the most of it, so I gave it a go on the climb and that didn’t really work."
Watch: Tour de France stage eight highlights
Froome took the 10 KOM points on offer at the top of the Peyresourde, but more importantly for him he took a slight advantage over the likes of Nairo Quintana (Movistar) and Tejay van Garderen (BMC).
The descent lasted almost until the finish line, with a twisting final kilometre through the town not necessarily working in Froome's favour.
But the Sky man held on to cross the line 13 seconds ahead of Dan Martin (Etixx-Quick Step) and Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha), among others, to lead the race by 16 seconds.
"I thought I’d give it one more go at the top of the climb and try and pull away on the descent," he said.
"I’m really glad I did take that risk. I didn’t take a massive gap but I’m in yellow this evening and that’s a massive surprise."
Stage nine in Andorra features the race's first real summit finish, taking the peloton to 2,240m in Andorre Arcalis.
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
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.
-
-
Cannondale CAAD Optimo 4 review - an entry-level racer for a good price
A value-oriented aluminum road bike with predictable handling on flat and level roads
By Greg Kaplan Published
-
Team USA announces all-star lineup for the UCI Gravel World Championships
With 23 elite riders led by Swenson and Stephens, Team USA hopes to claim a medal at the second-ever event in Italy
By Kristin Jenny Published
-
'I thought I was more in the door than I was' - Luke Rowe bares all on Vuelta a España snub
Welshman will not race a Grand Tour this year after he missed out on selection by Ineos Grenadiers
By Tom Davidson Published
-
‘I hope I get a cow’ - Josh Tarling aiming for the top prize at World Championships
Welshman competing in elite men’s individual time trial on Friday afternoon
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'All being well I’ll still be racing next year' but 'it's coming to an end' - Geraint Thomas on Ineos Grenadiers future
'It's nice to be arriving at a Worlds in decent nick' says the Welshman ahead of individual time trial in Stirling
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Carlos Rodriguez credits BMX skills with Tour de France stage win
Ineos Grenadiers rider dedicates his victory to his parents
By Vern Pitt Published
-
Chris Froome 'absolutely not' worth multi-million euro salary says his team boss
The four-time Tour de France winner was not selected for this year's Tour de France for performance reasons, Israel-Premier Tech boss Sylvan Adams says
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
'We just have to keep trying': Ineos Grenadiers ready to attack at the Tour de France
'You never know' British team's DS Steve Cummings says anything is still possible at French Grand Tour
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Disappointed on stage one, pleased with stage two: Tom Pidcock gaining confidence at Tour de France
Ineos Grenadiers rider satisfied with performance on the road to San Sebastián after difficult opening stage
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tom Pidcock: Beating the likes of Pogačar and Vingegaard to a Tour de France stage would be ‘a step up’
Ineos Grenadiers rider heads into second Tour aiming for general classification and stage wins
By Tom Thewlis Published