Stage 8 on the road

With some major attacks expected, the peloton rolled out nervous this morning, likely contributing to a crash with just 5 kilometers ridden.

VS predictions: Hummer - Contador; Roll - A. Schleck; Sherwen - Armstrong; Liggett - Evans.

Caught in the crash were a couple of notable jerseys, the polka-dot King of the Mountains jersey of Jerome Pineau from QuickStep and the world champion's rainbow jersey of Cadel Evans. Pineau rode on, but clearly suffering at the back and off the back of the main field. The race doctor has taken a look at Evans' left elbow.

Côte de Petite Joux:
1) Taaramae +3 pts
2) Fröhlinger, Milram, +2 pts
3) Moreau, Caisse d'Epargne, +1 pt

A seven-man break finally got established with around 30k ridden. It included both Minard and Moinard from Cofidis, which will challenge my typing skills, Vaugrenard of FDJ, Moerenhout from Rabobank, Erviti of Caisse d'Epargne, and Riblon from AG2R. With 140 kilometers to ride, their gap was 3:50.

Côte de Gresin:
1) Riblon, AG2R, +3 pts
2) Morenhout, Rabobank, +2 pts
3) Moinard, Cofidis, +1 pt

Vulbens sprint:
1) Aerts, Omega Pharma-Lotto, +6 pts
2) Riblon, AG2R, +4 pts
3) Erviti, Caisse d'Epargne, +2 pts

At 95k to ride, the gap was 6:37.

Viuz-en-Sallaz sprint:
1) Moerenhout, Rabobank +6 pts
2) Minard, Cofidis +4 pts
3) Aerts, Omega Pharma +2 pts