It has become abundantly clear that the 2009 edition of the Tour de France will test the full specter of talents and strengths of each rider. The parcours do not really favor one style of rider, like the climber, or time trialist, nor do they favor the combination rider, like the climber/time trialist or the sprinter/climber. The route truly seems to be for the classic all-rounder. The Tour organizers have seen to that fact.
The number of mountain-top finishes, while exciting viewing for the average cycling fan, have been reduced and replaced in favor of mountain stages that take in the full expanse of the mountain, both ascent and descent. This fact has provided riders with more opportunities to attack, and whether they are aware of it or not, given them back the instinctual racing capabilities that many feel have been lost with the over abundance of in-race communications.
The outcome of today's Stage 8, covering 176.5km from Andorre-la-Vieille to Saint-Girons showed how difficult is it for one team to control the race, or for one rider to simply display his excellence in one particular cycling discipline.
The day was filled with continuous assaults out of the peloton providing a shuffling and reshuffling of the lead group. A group of four, including Luis León Sánchez Gil (Caisse d'Epargne), Mikel Astarloza (Euskatel-Euskadi), Sandy Casar (Francaise des Jeux), and Vladimir Efimkin (AG2R La Mondiale) would finally establish themselves up the final climb.
At the line, Sanchez would out think and then out sprint his breakaway companions to claim the victory.
Rinaldo Nocentini (AG2R La Mondiale) remained in yellow, as there was no significant change atop the General Classification. Thor Hushovd (Cervelo Test Team) would take some intermediate sprint points out on the course to move into the maillot vert lead in front of Mark Cavendish (Team Columbia - HTC), while Christophe Kern (Cofidis) would climb into polka-dots.
Stage 8 Results
1. Luis León Sánchez Gil (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne
2. Sandy Casar (Fra) Française des Jeux
3. Mikel Astarloza Chaurreau (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi
General Classification After Stage 8
1. Rinaldo Nocentini (Ita) AG2R La Mondiale
2. Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Astana
3. Lance Armstrong (USA) Astana
4. Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana
5. Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Garmin - Slipstream
6. Andreas Klöden (Ger) Astana
7. Tony Martin (Ger) Team Columbia - HTC
8. Christian Vande Velde (USA) Garmin - Slipstream
9. Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank
10. Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas
Jersey Leader's After Stage 8
Rinaldo Nocentini (Ita) AG2R La Mondiale
Thor Hushovd (Nor) Cervelo Test Team
Christophe Kern (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit en Ligne
Tony Martin (Ger) Team Columbia - HTCNext: Stage 9 - Saint-Gaudens to Tarbes (160.5 km)
The Hors Categorie, Col du Tourmalet looms large on the stage to Tarbes. Follow our LIVE Tour de France commentary on LIVESTRONG.com.
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