After seven categorized climbs, French cyclist Thibaut Pinot captured victory on Stage 8 in the 2012 Tour de France. Pinot overtook Fredrik Kessiakoff, who led for a long stretch of kilometers, in the final several kilometers and never let up, winning a stage as the youngest racer in this year's Tour. Cadel Evans launched a late attack, but he wasn't able to overcome the 20-plus second difference. The chase eventually caught up with Evans, but he finished in second.
Pinot races for FDJ-BigMat and down the final stretches of the race team manager Marc Madiot could be seen from the team's race car encouraging and yelling at Pinot to keep his pace.
Bradley Wiggins still remains in first place with a 10 second lead over Cadel Evans.
Here are the top 10 finishers for the day (times from NBC's coverage immediately after race ended):
1. Thibaut Pinot, 3:56:10
2. Cadel Evans, +0:26
3. Tony Gallopin, s.t.
4. Bradley Wiggins, s.t
5. Vincenzo Nibali, s.t.
6. Jurgen Van Den Broeck, s.t.
7. Chris Froome, s.t.
8. Denis Menchov, s.t.
9. Haimar Zubeldia, s.t.
10. Frank Schleck, +0:30
SB Nation Denver is your source for 2012 Tour de France updates on Team Garmin-Sharp, and be sure to visit cycling blog Podium Cafe as well.
