Source: CCTV.com

07-16-2007 10:26

The eighth stage of the Tour de France saw a second successive day of gruelling alpine climbs. But that's not something that concerned climb specialist Michael Rasmussen of Denmark too much, who took the stage as well as the yellow jersey off Germany's Linus Gerdemann.

The eighth stage featured no less than three Category One climbs.

A group pulled clear halfway, including climb specialist Michael Rasmussen and Michael Rogers. But the Australian crashed on the descent and later pulled out.

That left Rasmussen to go solo on the last climb to Tignes.

A group of top contenders including Australian Cadel Evans, Luxembourg's Frank Schleck and Frenchman Christophe Moreau, then pulled clear of the chasing group. Moreau was the chief instigator behind the offensive, which left Stage Seven winner Linus Gerdemann and race favorite Alexander Vinokourov trailing.

Rasmussen eventually crossed the line in a time of four hours, 49 minutes and 40 seconds to take the overall race leader's yellow jersey from Gerdemann.

 

Editor:Liu Fang