MUR DE BRETAGNE: Frenchmen Alexis Vuillermoz won the eighth stage of the Tour de France on Saturday with a late attack on the final climb to become the first home victor this year, while British rider Chris Froome kept the leader’s yellow jersey.

The mostly flat 181.5kilometre (112.5mile) ride started in Rennes and finished with a short and sharp 2kilometre (1.2mile) climb up Mur de Bretagne.

After Vuillermoz of AG2r-La Mondiale made an early move, Froome counter-attacked about 850 metres from the end and briefly moved into the lead.

But the 27-year-old former mountain biker responded with a strong attack and then raised both his arms in the air when he crossed the line.

Ireland’s Dan Martin of Cannondale-Garmin was second at 5seconds and Spaniard Alejandro Valverde finished third for Movistar at 10seconds.

The climb took its toll and defending champion Vincenzo Nibali lost time as he dropped off the front group.

According to provisional results, Froome holds a 11-second lead over Peter Sagan. American Tejay van Garderen remains in third place, 13 seconds back.

Published in Dawn, July 12th, 2015

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