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Live Reporting

Steve Sutcliffe

All times stated are UK

  1. Goodbye

    Right thanks for joining me. What a drama-filled stage that was.

    Julian Alaphilippe goes into Bastille Day in yellow, while a crash involving Geraint Thomas, 15km from the end literally dented the British riders hopes of defending his title.

    You can read our report which is building here.

    And you will be able to hear all about stage eight later on in the BeSpoke Podcast at the Tour.

  2. GC standings

    Absolutely nothing doing in the general classification today, here's how it looks aafter stage nine:

    1. Julian Alaphilippe (Fra/Deceuninck-Quick-Step) 38hrs 37mins 36secs

    2. Giulio Ciccone (Ita/Trek-Segafredo) +23secs

    3. Thibaut Pinot (Fra/Groupama-FDJ) +53secs

    4. George Bennett (NZ/Team Jumbo-Visma) +1mins 10secs

    5. Geraint Thomas (GB/Team Ineos)+1mins 12secs

    6. Egan Bernal (Col/Team Ineos) +1mins 16secs

    7. Steven Kruijswijk (Ned/Team Jumbo-Visma) +1mins 27secs

    8. Rigoberto Uran (Col/EF Education First) +1mins 38secs

    9. Jakob Fuglsang (Den/Astana Pro Team) +1mins 42secs

    10. Emanuel Buchmann (Ger/BORA-hansgrohe) +1mins 45secs

  3. Stage results

    1. Thomas de Gendt (Bel/Lotto-Soudal) 5hrs 00mins 17secs
    2. Thibaut Pinot (Fra/Groupama-FDJ) +6secs
    3. Julian Alaphilippe (Fra/Deceuninck-Quick-Step) same time
    4. Michael Matthews (Aus/Sunweb) +26 secs
    5. Peter Sagan (Slo/Bora-Hansgrohe) same time
    6. Matteo Trentin (Ita/Michelton-Scott)
    7. Xandro Meurisse (Bel/Wanty–Groupe Gobert)
    8. Greg van Avermaet (Bel/CCC)
    9. Egan Bernal (Col/Ineos)
    10. Geraint Thomas (GB/Ineos)
  4. 'It was a key moment in the race'

    Defending champion Geraint Thomas speaking to ITV 4 after crashing on stage eight: "I’m fine but it was just frustrating. It was a key moment in the race. [Michael] Woods crashed and took out Gianni [Moscon] and me and I just got tangled in Gianni's bike.

    "By the time I got up to the group I was gassed for a bit and obviously that's when they started to sprint away. It’s annoying and frustrating but to come back like I did (is pleasing).

    "If I hadn’t crashed I could have followed and it’s a totally different story then. Still a lot of racing to go though.

    "Thibaut Pinot and Julian Alaphillipe have a good kick and punch they are the guys to watch and beat."

  5. Post update

    That crash with 15km to go looks to have done Geraint Thomas a kipper.

    Still he showed some resilience to finish the stage in 10th.

  6. Get Involved

    #bbccycling

    Andrew: Can't believe what we've just witnessed, De Gendt is absolutely insane! One of his best ever wins and certainly the most memorable. Brilliant from Pinot to grab 28s on the other GC guys and congrats to Alaphilippe for yellow.

  7. 'I had amazing legs today'

    Stage eight winner, Lotto-Soudal's Thomas de Gendt speaking to ITV 4:

    With 70km to go we started to ride a bit faster. It was just [Alessandro] De Marchi and I and we kept riding full until the last climb. But the pack was closing and I had to go solo to try and stay ahead of them.

    "I had a really good feeling all day and with 70 kilometres to go I really started to believe in it.We didn’t push on the climb [on Cote d'Aveize] but then when we got over and heard gaps and went hard, nearly crashing on the descent.

    "So it was about 70 kilometres when I started believing in a possible victory but it hurts. It really hurts. I had amazing legs today."

  8. Alaphilippe regains the yellow jersey

    Julian Alaphilippe is going to be in yellow on Bastille Day.

    Giulio Ciccone had a real dig in the final couple of kilometres but the main group rolled in 20 seconds behind Thibaut Pinot in second and Alaphilippe in third.

    View more on twitter
  9. Thomas de Gendt wins stage eight

    Thomas De Gendt wins the stage. Absolutely magnificent.

  10. Post update

    Thomas de Gendt isn't going to be caught. He's got 11 seconds on Thibaut Pinot and Julian Alaphilippe.

    This is sensational.

  11. Post update

    The yellow jersey is in sight for Julian Alaphilippe.

  12. Post update

    Can Julian Alaphilippe and Thibaut Pinot catch Thomas de Gendt on the eve of Bastille Day?

    The Belgian has got about 15 seconds on them....

  13. Post update

    Thibaut Pinot started the day 5 seconds behind Egan Bernal and nine seconds back from Geraint Thomas.

    He's going to make up some serious ground here.

  14. Post update

    Thomas de Gendt has got 5km to go for pure glory.

    He looks like he's running on fumes now but he's still got a 35 second gap.

  15. Post update

    Thomas De Gendt is still out front though and took the eight second time bonus from the final climb and bonus sprint at La Jaillere.

    But Julian Alaphilippe and Thibaut Pinot hoovered up the rest of the time.

    As it stands Alaphilippe will be regaining the maillot jaunewhile the Groupama-FDJ rider will be gaining time on the general classification.

  16. Post update

    Julian Alaphilippe is absolutely flying here as Thibaut Pinto struggles to stay on his wheel.

    Is the Deceuninck-Quick Step man going to end tonight in yellow?

  17. Post update

    Vincenzo Nibali has cracked.

  18. Alaphilippe twists

    Looks like Julian Alaphilippe is twisting. The Frenchman launches himself off the front of the peloton and has taken 20 seconds out of the main group.

    He's got Thibaut Pinot for company though.

  19. Post update

    Geraint Thomas is ok. But he's having to weave in and out of team cars to get back on the peloton.

    How much energy is this burning up though?