Stage 8 was a tough test for many of the peloton’s riders, who had to climb seven categorized hills and mountains.
The stage started with several breakaway attempts, but non of them succeeded as the riders couldn’t agree on how to best work together. Jens Voigt would have none of that and started his own breakaway. There were many counter attacks and finally Voigt had to give up, but he had started something.
Later FDJ-Big Mat’s Thibaut Pinot broke away, and won the stage with 26 seconds. However Tony Gallopin had enough power in his legs to secure a 3rd place right after Cadel Evans.
Other Radioshack Nissan Trek riders showed good form. Haimar Zubeldia, Frank Schleck, Chris Horner and Maxime Monfort ended on 9th, 10th, 11th and 15th places, which means that Radioshack Nissan Trek now leads the Team GC ahead of Sky, the previous Team GC leaders.
Radioshack Nissan Trek comments
Johan Bruyneel
Not being @ the Tour & having some time 2 c the race from a different angle, I’m amazed how many cycling “experts” r out there in full force.
Jens Voigt
Well, as expected it was a hard stage and hey- i did get permission to mingle with the attacks, loved it and still it in my legs now…
Fabian Cancellara
Big team effort, big Tony Gallopin and legend Jens Voigt caused the first break. Was nice to see thousands of Swiss…
Chris Horner
Good day for RSNT – race full gas from mile zero – thanks to Jens Voigt. Drag race from the final climb to the line with four in the front.
Top 10, Stage 8
1 Thibaut Pinot (Fra) FDJ-Big Mat 3:56:10
2 Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team 0:00:26
3 Tony Gallopin (Fra) RadioShack-Nissan
4 Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Sky Procycling
5 Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale
6 Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Bel) Lotto Belisol Team
7 Christopher Froome (GBr) Sky Procycling
8 Denis Menchov (Rus) Katusha Team
9 Haimar Zubeldia Agirre (Spa) RadioShack-Nissan
10 Frank Schleck (Lux) RadioShack-Nissan 0:00:30
Radioshack Nissan Trek, Stage 8
3 Tony Gallopin (Fra) RadioShack-Nissan
9 Haimar Zubeldia Agirre (Spa) RadioShack-Nissan
10 Frank Schleck (Lux) RadioShack-Nissan
11 Christopher Horner (USA) RadioShack-Nissan
15 Maxime Monfort (Bel) RadioShack-Nissan
30 Andreas Klöden (Ger) RadioShack-Nissan
70 Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr) RadioShack-Nissan
79 Jens Voigt (Ger) RadioShack-Nissan
90 Fabian Cancellara (Swi) RadioShack-Nissan
Top 10 GC, after stage 8
1 Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Sky Procycling 38:17:56
2 Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team 0:00:10
3 Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale 0:00:16
4 Denis Menchov (Rus) Katusha Team 0:00:54
5 Haimar Zubeldia Agirre (Spa) RadioShack-Nissan 0:00:59
6 Christopher Froome (GBr) Sky Procycling 0:01:32
7 Maxime Monfort (Bel) RadioShack-Nissan 0:02:08
8 Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Bel) Lotto Belisol Team 0:02:11
9 Nicolas Roche (Irl) AG2R La Mondiale 0:02:21
10 Rein Taaramae (Est) Cofidis, Le Credit En Ligne 0:02:27
Radioshack Nissan Trek GC, after stage 8
5 Haimar Zubeldia Agirre (Spa) RadioShack-Nissan 0:00:59
7 Maxime Monfort (Bel) RadioShack-Nissan 0:02:08
11 Tony Gallopin (Fra) RadioShack-Nissan 0:03:13
14 Christopher Horner (USA) RadioShack-Nissan 0:03:43
15 Frank Schleck (Lux) RadioShack-Nissan 0:03:47
19 Andreas Klöden (Ger) RadioShack-Nissan 0:04:24
36 Fabian Cancellara (Swi) RadioShack-Nissan 0:13:36
83 Jens Voigt (Ger) RadioShack-Nissan 0:30:18
91 Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr) RadioShack-Nissan 0:32:07
By Jens S. Christensen
Photo: Dana Gardner
