Tour de France '09
Live Race Report 4:20
The biggest road race of the year, this year's Tour takes a clockwise loop round France, starting in London.
Distance covered: 165KM
Distance remaining: 0KM
That completes our live coverage of a very interesting eighth stage of the Tour de France. Monday is a rest day, so we'll be back on Tuesday for stage 9 between Val d'Isere and Briancon, starting 12:35 local time (11:35 BST).
Distance covered: 165KM
Distance remaining: 0KM
Provisional results
1 Michael Rasmussen (Den ¦ Rabobank) 4:49:40
2 Iban Mayo (Spa ¦ Saunier Duval - Prodir) 0:02:47
3 Alejandro Valverde (Spa ¦ Caisse D'Epargne) 0:03:11
4 Christophe Moreau (Fra ¦ Ag2R Prevoyance) 0:03:15
5 Frank Schleck (Lux ¦ Team CSC) 0:03:15
General classification after stage 8
1 Michael Rasmussen (Den ¦ Rabobank)
2 Linus Gerdemann (Ger ¦ T-Mobile Team)
Distance covered: 165KM
Distance remaining: 0KM
Gerdemann comes in at 5'04 - great ride too. He will slip to second on the general classification behind new leader Michael Rasmussen.
Distance covered: 165KM
Distance remaining: 0KM
Mayo has done a great ride in the last few kilometres to cut the gap to 2'47 at the finish. Valverde is third at 3'11, then Moreau., Schleck, Evans and Kash. Then Contador at 3'31 followed by Menchov and Sastre.
Distance covered: 165KM
Distance remaining: 0KM
Michael Rasmussen crosses the line in Tignes to win stage 8 after a really impressive ride!!!! Mayo will take second. The Moreau group sees Valverde get back on with 1km to go. They're going for third.
Distance covered: 164KM
Distance remaining: 1KM
Mayo is getting close to the summit with Evans, Moreau, Kash and Schleck chasing him. But it'll be Michael Rasmussen who wins this stage. Brilliant ride, and it will net him the yellow jersey!
Distance covered: 164KM
Distance remaining: 1KM
Mayo finally attacks the Moreau group, gaining a small advantage. Pity Moreau, who is getting no help. Evans tries to do a turn. Rasmussen is at 1km to go.
Distance covered: 163KM
Distance remaining: 2KM
Back with Moreau and co. They have caught and passed Arroyo, so they're going for second place behind Michael Rasmussen, who is 2km from the finish. Moreau is with Mayo, Schleck, Evans, Valverde and Kash. Then Contador on his own, then Sastre and Menchov. Then Kloden and Vino in a group.
Distance covered: 162KM
Distance remaining: 3KM
Now the Kloden group breaks up as Vino can't follow the pace. He'll just try to limit the damage. Menchov, Sastre catch Contador. Vino comes back a bit. He's not done yet. Kloden waits for him.
Distance covered: 162KM
Distance remaining: 3KM
Contador, who was with Moreau's group, is now back in the peloton. But there's no stopping him and he's making his way up to the Moreau group again. Houdini style.
