June 18, 2005 – Spaniard Pablo Lastras won the 8th stage of the Tour of Switzerland, 162km from Lenk to Verbierl, counterattacking in the final stages of an uphill finish, which race leader Michael Rogers (Quickstep) finished comfortably in the same group as his main threat, Jan Ullrich (T-Mobile). Rogers continues to hold onto a 20-second lead overall.

The winning break was established very early in the race, counting up to 13 riders. The break maintained its lead until 6km to go, when a series of attacks whittled down the front group to three: Lastras, Carlos Barredo (Liberty Seguros) and Fabian Wegmann (Gerolsteiner). With three kilometres to go and the finish atop a cat. 2 climb, Barredo attacked sharply but was countered by Lastras, whose massive effort in the final stages preserved a slim 16-second lead.

Canadian Michael Barry (Discovery) had a tough day, finishing 40th, 4:31 behind the winner. But if his day was tough, others had worse: his result sees him move up five places to 22nd overall, 9:19 behind Rogers.

Results
1. Pablo Lastras (Spa) Illes Balears-Caisse d’Epargne 4.09.09 (39.061 km/h)
2. Carlos Barredo (Spa) Liberty Seguros-Würth Team 0.16
3. Fabian Wegmann (Ger) Gerolsteiner
4. Aitor Gonzalez (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi 0.19
5. Walter Beneteau (Fra) Bouygues Telecom 0.56
6. Daniele Righi (Ita) Lampre-Caffita 1.00
7. Koldo Gil Perez (Spa) Liberty Seguros-Würth Team 1.17
8. Frank Schleck (Lux) Team CSC 1.21
9. Daniel Atienza (Spa) Cofidis, Le Credit Par Telephone
10. Michael Rogers (Aus) Quick Step

40 Michael Barry (Can) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 4:31

GC after Stage 8
1. Michael Rogers (Aus) Quick Step 30.04.33
2. Jan Ullrich (Ger) T-Mobile Team 0.20
3. Bradley McGee (Aus) Française Des Jeux 0.22
4. Aitor Gonzalez (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi 0.36
5. Frank Schleck (Lux) Team CSC 1.27
6. Koldo Gil Perez (Spa) Liberty Seguros-Würth Team 1.38
7. Chris Horner (USA) Saunier Duval-Prodir 1.40
8. Beat Zberg (Swi) Gerolsteiner 2.32
9. Georg Totschnig (Aut) Gerolsteiner 2.41
10. Tadej Valjavec (Slo) Phonak Hearing Systems 3.12

22. Michael Barry (Can) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 9.19