Chris Froome grabs Stage 8 Win and Yellow Jersey

After one week of first time Tour de France leaders, such as Peter Sagan (Tinkoff Team) and Mark Cavendish (Dimension Data), photo finishes and little news from the pre-Tour favorites, the top teams and riders stepped forward today in the Pyrenees. Chris Froome of Team Sky pulled away from the lead group on the descent from the Col de Peyresourde with an aggressive descent style of pedaling while perched on the top tube of his Pinarello. He forged a small gap and maintained it to get the stage victory.So after a week of a variety of action and results, the top teams and riders assert themselves.

The 183 km (113 mile) stage from Pau to Bagnères-de-Luchon promised to be a very tough stage with one Category 2 climb, Hourquette d’Ancizan, two Category 1 climbs, Col de Val Louron Azet, and Col de Peyresourde and one Hors Categorie, Col de Tourmalet. The climbs come in quick succession and are over 1500 meters (4921 Ft) each with the Col De Tourmalet reaching 2115 m (6939 ft). This was a tough day for the sprinters and domestiques.Tomorrow’s Stage 9 promises more climbing in the Andorra region of Spain.

A breakaway group of 13 riders formed just before the Col de Tourmalet climb including, Luis Leon Sanchez (Astana Pro Team), Tom Dumoulin (Team Giant-Alpecin). The group broke up on the climb. Rafal Majka (Tinkoff) and Thibaut Pinot (FDJ) attacked and crossed over the top of the Tourmalet first. Meanwhile, Greg Van Avermaet (BMC), the Tour leader, was dropped on this climb, as well as Vincenzo Nibali (Astana Pro Team).Team Sky came forward to lead the peloton up the climb. Tony Martin (Etixx–Quick-Step) joined the other two riders in front of the peloton.

The trio were caught by the peloton on the Col de Val Louron-Azet, 42 km (26 miles) from the finish. Team Sky lead the peloton up the Hourquette d’Ancizan. Froome pulled away on the descent, with the other contenders giving chase; Alejandro Valverde and Nairo Quintana of Movistar Fabio Aru (Astana Pro Team), Richie Porte and Tejay Van Garderen of BMC Racing, Roman Bardet (AG2R La Mondiale), Roman Kreuziger (Tinkoff), Dan Martin (Etixx - QuickStep, Adam Yates (Orica-BikeExchange), and Bauke Mollema (Trek-Segafredo). Froome pedaled down the mountain toward the finish balanced on the top tube of his bike.

Stage 8 Results

1	Chris Froome	Team Sky	4:57:33
2	Dan Martin	Etixx - Quick-Step	0:00:13
3	Joaquim Rodriguez	Team Katusha
4	Romain Bardet	AG2R La Mondiale
5	Roman Kreuziger	Tinkoff Team
6	Fabio Aru	Astana Pro Team
7	Adam Yates	Orica-BikeExchange
8	Alejandro Valverde	Movistar Team
9	Bauke Mollema	Trek-Segafredo
10	Richie Porte	BMC Racing Team

General Classification Standings

1	Chris Froome	Team Sky	39:13:04
2	Adam Yates	Orica-BikeExchange	0:00:16
3	Joaquim Rodriguez	Team Katusha
4	DanMartin	Etixx - Quick-Step	0:00:17
5	Alejandro Valverde	Movistar Team	0:00:19
6	Nairo Quintana	Movistar Team	0:00:23
7	Fabio Aru	Astana Pro Team
8	Tejay Van Garderen	BMC Racing Team
9	Romain Bardet	AG2R La Mondiale
10	Bauke Mollema	Trek-Segafredo

News and Notes

Alberto Contador has agreed to ride for two years with Trek-Segafredo starting next season.

Michael Morkov (Team Katusha) was the first rider to abandon the Tour this year.