Calzati wins eighth stage

Cycling : Frenchman Sylvain Calzati masterminded a remarkable breakaway to claim victory in stage eight of the Tour de France…

Cycling: Frenchman Sylvain Calzati masterminded a remarkable breakaway to claim victory in stage eight of the Tour de France with Ukrainian Serhiy Honchar holding onto the yellow jersey.

The 27-year-old, riding for the A2R team, produced a dominant display to win all four categorised climbs before breaking away from a six-man pack with 28km remaining to win with ease.

Kjell Carlstrom and Patrice Halgand finished second and third, respectively, in the 181km stage while a strong sprint finish saw Australian Robbie McEwen retain the green jersey.

"It's the most beautiful day of my life," said Calzati.

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After a first breakaway attempt was caught by the peloton, six riders then tried their luck after the village of Plouguenast 135 kms from the finish.

CSC American rider David Zabriskie, German Matthias Kessler (T-Mobile), Belgian Mario Aerts (Davitamon Lotto), Calzati and  Carlstrom (Liquigas) were joined by Halgand (Credit Agricole) and opened a seven-minute gap, but it was Calzati who asserted in the end.

They were cheered by thousands of spectators on the Mur de Bretagne, a two-km third-category ascent in a region which is the heart of cycling in France.

Before the start, the Tour paid tribute to Louison Bobet, born in St Meen-le-Grand, who was the first man to win the race three times in a row from 1953-55.