BAGNERES-DE-LUCHON, France (AP) " Belgian rider Greg Van Avermaet's nearly six-minute lead of the Tour de France ought to come under threat in the second consecutive stage in the Pyrenees on Saturday. Julian Alaphilippe of France was third, 5:51 behind, and Alejandro Valverde of Spain fourth, 5:53 back. Although it does not feature a mountain-top finish, Stage 8 is a tough 184-kilometer ride with four major ascents, including the legendary Col du Tourmalet, a punishing 19-kilometer climb at an average gradient of 7.4 percent. Van Avermaet, riding for BMC, leads Adam Yates of Britain by 5 minutes, 50 seconds.

Source: New Zealand Herald July 09, 2016 10:41 UTC