Summary

  • Blel Kadri wins stage eight

  • Spain's Alberto Contador second

  • Italian Vincenzo Nibali finishes third to retain lead

  • Stages covered 161km (100 miles) Tomblaine-Gerardmer La Mauselaine

  • Britain's Simon Yates involved in breakaway

Live Reporting

Mike Henson

  1. Froome update

    Chris FroomeAP

    The injuries and withdrawals of the first week of the Tour continues to jostle for column inches with those who are still competing.

    There were two medical bulletins yesterday. First, from defending champion Chris Froome, confirming that he had sustained fractures to his left wrist and right hand in three crashes over stages four and five.

    His decision to withdraw before the cobbles could test those crumbling mits seems eminently sensible.

  2. Timings

    Today's stage begins in Tomblaine, the suburb of Nancy that hosts the town's football club and so is well known to the likes of France legend Michel Platini, former Coventry City cult hero Mustapha Hadji and ex-Republic of Ireland figurehead Tony Cascarino.

    The peloton rolled out at 12:30 BST with racing just about under way after a pootle around the backstreets.

    There is an intermediate sprint at 100km which should arrive at around 15:00 BST with the first serious ascent, the Col de la Croix des Moinats, beginning about an hour later.

    Expect the stage winner across the line any time from 16:20 BST.

  3. Today's stage

    Tour de France stage eight profileTour de France

    After the thrills, spills, mud and millions of the first week, it is a classic French teaser of a stage to test the peloton today.

    One hundred and thirty clicks of regulation rumble, before things get a little spicy at the business end with a trio of climbs that offer a few breakaway chances.

    This is how Team Sky bodyguard Geraint Thomas sees it panning out in his BBC Sport stage-by-stage guide.

    "It won't be a big day for the General Classification riders but there could be a few splits, with a few seconds being gained or lost here or there," he says.

    "A breakaway could succeed. The climbs aren't too severe so it's a stage I'd look to try and win if I wasn't looking after Richie Porte."

  4. Chris FroomeMichellecound

    After making close friends with the tarmac in the first few stages, Britain's two leading lights are resting up.

    Mark CavendishMark Cavendish

    But there is a bike race to win and the show must go on. All aboard for stage eight.

    Tanel KangertAstana