This is a first fast-start for the Vuelta, with 53-kilomeres covered in the first hour..!
Is the fast start the reason why Rigoberto Uran is walking instead of cycling..?
No, Uran is making a slightly unorthodox bike change on the wrong side of the road..
Peter Weening is one of many trying to escape...
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Sky, with Flecha, is chasing everything down today - but they're marked by Green Edge...
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Tony Martin is a very strong cyclist, but even he is struggling to stay in the race...
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A six-man escape is finally let free after 75-kilometres - Buffaz and Meyer lead the way..!
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Time for Contador to change to his climbing bicycle - except the Saxo Bank car goes sailing by...
Contador's mechanic retrieves the new bike and prepares for the change...
Gracias Faustino - Contador climbs aboard his new bike...
Ben Swift has forgotten how to sprint in this race - the British rider of Sky is doing some hefty chasing of the new escape...
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Moinard and Buffaz direct the escape into Andorra, and the first of two nasty climbs...
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Uran is leading the chase for Sky, and he has Henao and Froome waiting behind him...
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Cameron Meyer is alone and in front as the final climb begins...
Alejandro Valverde attacks at the foot of the final climb, creating a move that will absorb Meyer before the finish...
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Meyer is about to be caught inside the last two-kilometres...
Behind the head of the race, Igor Anton and Benat Intxausti are trying to be part of the main event...
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Lampre's Acona and Rabobank's Gesink are just a bit further back...
Andrew Talansky is moving back into contention...
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Joachim Rodriguez is on the attack, he has Contador marking him...
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Froome attacks inside the last two-kilometres, but he has Contador and Rodriguez marking him...
Contador attacks, and this looks like the winning move..!
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Alejandro Valverde wins stage eight after catching Contador with 200-metres to go..!
Joachim Rodriguez is still the race-leader - and he's put time into Froome as well..!