Karsten Kroon led home a Dutch 1-2-3 to claim the 217.5 kms eighth stage of the Tour de France from St-Martin-de-Landelles this afternoon. The Rabobank rider out-sprinted his six breakaway companions to lead in a Dutch treble - on Bastille Day. Former Paris-Roubaix winner Servais Knaven was second and Kroon's team mate Erik Dekker finished third. Spain's Igor Gonzalez Galdeano retained his overall leader's yellow jersey.
As in previous stages, riders with no chance for overall victory tried their luck and broke clear of the peloton. This time it was Kroon, Dekker, Knaven, Latvian Ravis Belohvosciks as well as Frenchmen Sebastien Hinault, Franck Renier and Stephane Auge, all three hoping for a French Bastille Day win. The seven riders attacked after 108 kms and 40 kms later their lead had reached six minutes.
Monday's ninth stage is a 52-kms individual time trial between Lanester and Lorient and could prove to be a race turning point. Three-times champion Lance Asrmtrong, unebeaten in long-distance time trials for three years, will be challenged by Gonzalez Galdeano and Colombian Santiago Botero.
Filed by Shane Murray
