Tour of Switzerland: Chavez wins as Tony Martin extends lead

Chavez won the eighth and penultimate stage of the Tour of Switzerland

Colombia's Esteban Chavez mounted a late attack to win Saturday's eighth stage of the Tour of Switzerland.

The Orica-GreenEdge rider finished three seconds ahead of Roman Kreuziger and Bauke Mollema to win in a time of five hours 11 minutes 16 seconds.

Germany's Tony Martin crossed 17 seconds back to extend his general classification lead to 51 seconds over Tom Dumoulin going into the final day.

Britain's Mark Cavendish had another tough day as he came home 141st.

Saturday's stage out of Delemont was the longest of the race at 219km with an elevation gain of 2,541 metres, ensuring the field was well strung out by the finish.

Sprint specialist Cavendish was among the last to cross the line, nearly 20 minutes down on Chavez.

Fellow Briton Sir Bradley Wiggins was forced to withdraw from the race on Wednesday after injuring his thigh in a crash the previous day.

Sunday's final stage is a 157km ride from Martigny to Saas-Fee.

Stage eight result:

1. Esteban Chaves (Colombia / Orica) 5:11:16"

2. Roman Kreuziger (Czech Republic / Tinkoff - Saxo) +3"

3. Bauke Mollema (Netherlands / Belkin)

4. Eros Capecchi (Italy / Movistar) +16"

5. Janier Acevedo (Colombia / Garmin) +17"

6. Philip Deignan (Ireland / Team Sky)

7. Tony Martin (Germany / Omega Pharma - Quick-Step)

8. Davide Formolo (Italy / Cannondale)

9. Rui Costa (Portugal / Lampre)

10. Mathias Frank (Switzerland / IAM Cycling)

General Classification:

1. Tony Martin (Germany / Omega Pharma - Quick-Step) 28:54:16"

2. Tom Dumoulin (Netherlands / Giant) +51"

3. Rui Costa (Portugal / Lampre) +1:05"

4. Mathias Frank (Switzerland / IAM Cycling) +1:14"

5. Bauke Mollema (Netherlands / Belkin) +1:41"

6. Davide Formolo (Italy / Cannondale) +1:47"

7. Roman Kreuziger (Czech Republic / Tinkoff - Saxo) +1:50"

8. Janier Acevedo (Colombia / Garmin) +2:07"

9. Eros Capecchi (Italy / Movistar) +2:29"

10. Cadel Evans (Australia / BMC Racing) +2:30"