Alexis Vuillermoz gave the home fans something to cheer as he earned France its first win on this year’s Tour de France. Stage 8 from Rennes to Mur
Alexis Vuillermoz gave the home fans something to cheer as he earned France its first win on this year’s Tour de France.
Stage 8 from Rennes to Mur de Bretagne saw several breakaways with the big four riders all vying for position at the front of the pack.
But the final breakaway of the 181.5 km stage settled podium places.
Vuillermoz, a former mountain bike rider, attacked twice in the last climb and countered overall leader Chris Froome less than a kilometre from the line. His final kick proving too hot to handle for the big guns.
Ireland’s Dan Martin was five seconds back with Spain’s Alejandro Valverde ten seconds behind in third.
Britain’s Chris Froome retained the leader’s yellow jersey. The Team Sky rider is now half a minute in front of his closest rival, Spain’s Alberto Contador while defending champion Vincenzo Nibali of Astana lies 13th.
Sunday is the Tour’s final day in Brittany and the ninth stage is a 28-km time trial before a well earned rest day. Then the Tour heads to the mountains.