"I began to struggle on the last climb but that's normal a day after you've been in a 200km breakaway, " Nocentini said.

BBC: Sanchez secures stage eight win

Nocentini was briefly dropped but his AG2R team-mates helped him back into contention and ensured he stays in yellow for a second day.

BBC: Sanchez secures stage eight win

There were no attacks from any of this year's big-hitters here as the main bunch of riders, which contained Nocentini, Contador and Armstrong, came home one minute and 54 seconds back.

BBC: Sanchez secures stage eight win