July 14, 2002 – (Plouay, France) – Today was France’s National holiday,
Bastille Day, but really it seemed more like a day for the Dutch. After a
barrage of attacks from eager French riders, it came down to a 7-man break
that held off the peloton. Karsten Kroon (Rabobank) took the win over last
year’s Paris-Roubaix winner Sergais Knaven (Domo/Farm Frites). Kroon’s
teammate Erik Dekker (Domo-Farm Frites) was 3rd.

The overall remains the same, and there were no late crashes like yesterday,
which cost Lance Armstrong (USPS) and Laurent Jalabert (CSC-Tiscali) just
under half a minute. Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano (ONCE/Eroski)
still leads over his teammate Joseba Beloki (ONCE/Eroski). Another casualty
of the Tour today: Stage winner and current World Champion Oscar Friere
(Mapei/QuickStep) withdrew today due to injuries in his back as a result of
a crash yesterday.

Stage 8 – St-Martin de Landelles – Plouay, 217.5 km

1. Karsten Kroon (Ned) Rabobank 4.36.52

2. Servais Knaven (Ned) Domo-Farm Frites

3. Erik Dekker (Ned) Rabobank

4. Franck RÈnier (Fra) Bonjour

5. SÈbastien Hinault (Fra) Credit Agricole

6. Stephane AugÈ (Fra) Jean Delatour

7. Raivis Belohvosciks (Lat) Lampre Daikin

8. Robbie McEwen (Aus) Lotto-Adecco 1.55

9. Erik Zabel (Ger) Telekom

10. Baden Cooke (Aus) FDJeux.com

Overall:

1. Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano (Spa) ONCE-Eroski 32.18.46

2. Joseba Beloki (Spa) ONCE-Eroski 0.04

3. J—rg Jaksche (Ger) ONCE-Eroski 0.12

4. Abraham Olano (Spa) ONCE-Eroski 0.22

5. Isidro Nozal (Spa) ONCE-Eroski 0.27

6. JosÈ Azevedo (Por) ONCE-Eroski 0.28

7. Marcos A.Serrano (Spa) ONCE-Eroski 0.30

8. Lance Armstrong (USA) US Postal Service 0.34

9. Tyler Hamilton (USA) CSC-Tiscali 0.53

10. Andrea Peron (Ita) CSC-Tiscali