French climber takes stage win

Xorret Del Cati - French climber David Moncoutie has won the eighth stage of the Spanish Vuelta and Spain's Igor Anton has claimed the overall race lead.

Moncoutie, riding for Cofidis, crossed the line in a descent from the 1 100m Alto Xorret del Cati peak in 5 hours 14 minutes 32 seconds.

Serafin Martinez of Spain, Johan Tschopp of Switzerland and Spain's Jose Luis Arrieta all crossed the line next on the same time, 54 seconds behind.

Although Anton took the standings lead, fellow Spaniard Joaquin Rodriguez shares the same overall race time of 32 hours 28 minutes 49 seconds.

The race was marred by a fall 11km from the start, which involved a number of the leading riders.

Sunday's stage is a 187.7km ride from Calpe to Alcoy.

Stage Eight Results:

1. David Moncoutie, France, Cofidis, 5 hours, 14 minutes, 32 seconds.
2. Serafin Martinez, Spain, Xacobeo Galicia, 54 seconds behind.
3. Johan Tschopp, Switzerland, Bbox Bouygues Telecom, same time.
4. Jose Luis Arrieta, Spain, AG2R La Mondiale. same time.
5. Joaquin Rodriguez, Spain, Katusha, one minute, 29 seconds behind.
6. Vincenzo Nibali, Italy, Liquigas-Doimo, same time.
7. Igor Anton, Spain, Euskaltel Euskadi, same time.
8. Assan Bazayev, Kazakhstan, Astana, 1:32 behind.
9. Xavier Tondo, Spain, Cervelo Test Team, same time.
10. Carlos Sastre, Cervelo Test Team, 1:35 behind.

Overall Standings

1. Igor Anton, Spain, Euskaltel Euskadi, 32 hours, 28 minutes, 49 seconds.
2. Joaquin Rodriguez, Spain, Katusha, same time.
3. Vincenzo Nibali, Italy, Liquigas-Doimo, 2 seconds behind.
4. Xavier Tondo, Spain, Cervelo Test Team, :42.
5. Marzio Bruseghin, Italy, Caisse D'Epargne, 1:10.
6. Ruben Plaza, Spain, Caisse D'Epargne, 1:15.
7. Ezequiel Mosquera, Spain, Xacobeo Galicia, 1:18.
8. Nicholas Roche, Ireland, AG2R La Mondiale, 1:19.
9. Peter Velits, Slovakia, Team HTC-Columbia, 1:26.
10. Tejay Van Garderen, United States, Team HTC-Columbia, 1:26.