Groenewegen wins his second straight stage as Dan Martin loses time in crash

Gaviria and Greipel declassified on stage 8 after Greipel blocked Gaviria and Gaviria head butted Greipel

The final sprinter's stage at the Tour de France was uneventful until the final 20 kms and the sprinter's team came to the front and turned up the gas.

With 17kms to go there was an almighty crash, which saw blood dripping from Dan Martin's left elbow, with his team around him, UAE Emirates time trialed in a desperate attempt to catch up, over 2 minutes behind the peloton.

Julian Alaphilippe was also held up in the crash and although unhurt, dropped out of the top 10 on GC as a result.

Gaviria and Greipel were relegated to last place on the stage for the altercation, in dramatic video, Gaviria is seen pushing and head butting Greipel who has slowly drifted in front of him, blocking him from overtaking.

The stage was a quiet affair, as most riders including the breakaway artists wanted to conserve their energy.

Marco Minaard (Wanty-Groupe Gobert) and Fabien Grellier (Direct Energie) established the breakaway of French riders celebrating Bastille Day and built up a lead of over 5 minutes before the peloton started to chase.

After the big crash with 10 kms to go Minaard was caught by the main peloton and then Grellier was also reeled back in.

With 2.5 kilometres to go, Philippe Gilbert (Quick-Step Floors) attacked but was reeled back in as the sprint trains increased their speed.

Quick-Step Floors lead out Fernando Gaviria who launched his sprint with Peter Sagan (Bora-hansgrohe). Andre Greipel (Lotto-Soudal) following, with and Dylan Groenewegen just behind behind. Groenewegen times his final sprint to perfection and came round Gavira and Sagan to take his second straight stage vistory.

Gaviria and Greipel were relegated after clashing near the left hand barriers.  Sagan second and John Degenkolb (Trek Segafredo) third.

Dan Martin arrived with his UAE teammates 1m 15 secs down, losing a huge chuck of time, now in 31st place, 2m 47 secs behind on GC.

Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) keeps the Yellow Jersey as Sagan gains more points in the Green Jersey.

Tomorrow's stage over the Cobbles to Roubaix is one that strikes fear into the whole peloton, it's a stage where the Tour de France can be lost due mechanicals and crashes. The GC riders will have no choice but to ride at the front to stay in contention and out of trouble. It could produce some of the best racing in this year's Tour before it heads south into the high cols of the Alps.

2018 Tour de Frace Stage 8 Top 10

1 Dylan Groenewegen (Ned) LottoNL-Jumbo 4:23:36 
2 Peter Sagan (Svk) Bora-Hansgrohe   
3 John Degenkolb (Ger) Trek-Segafredo   
4 Alexander Kristoff (Nor) UAE Team Emirates   
5 Arnaud Demare (Fra) Groupama-FDJ   
6 Thomas Boudat (Fra) Direct Energie   
7 Nikias Arndt (Ger) Team Sunweb   
8 Mark Cavendish (GBr) Dimension Data   
9 Yves Lampaert (Bel) Quick-Step Floors   
10 Andrea Pasqualon (Ita) Wanty-Groupe Gobert

2018 Tour de Frace Stage 8 GC after Stage 10

1 Greg Van Avermaet (Bel) BMC Racing Team 32:43:00 
2 Geraint Thomas (GBr) Team Sky 0:00:07 
3 Tejay van Garderen (USA) BMC Racing Team 0:00:09 
4 Philippe Gilbert (Bel) Quick-Step Floors 0:00:16 
5 Bob Jungels (Lux) Quick-Step Floors 0:00:22 
6 Rigoberto Uran (Col) EF Education First-Drapac p/b Cannondale 0:00:49 
7 Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Movistar Team 0:00:55 
8 Rafal Majka (Pol) Bora-Hansgrohe 0:00:56 
9 Jakob Fuglsang (Den) Astana Pro Team 0:00:57 
10 Richie Porte (Aus) BMC Racing Team