FTDF Stage 8 - Costa Super on Super-Besse

Rui Costa won the stage up Super-Besse today. Not only did he get the first Tour stage win for the Movistar Team, but he's also the first man to survive from a break.

He only just made it though, as Pip Gilbert was only 19 seconds behind.

And then along came Cadel Evans and pretty much all the other favorites. As well as Thor Hushovd. He did a grand ride to hold onto the race lead, for hopefully a few more days. Thor's exploits are doing the Bile Beans no harm at the top of the table.

Robert Gesink wasn't in the big-boys group. He's still feeling the effects of that stage 3 crash, and he lost about 1:30 on the main group. Not good news for the Bile Beans or Keep 'em Gesink. Maybe Robert will feel better after the rest day on Monday. He'll have to make it through tomorrow first though. It could be another day for a plucky breakaway.