Favorites challenge on final climb of Vuelta's Stage 8

Many of the pre-race contenders for the Vuelta a Espana showed their cards on Saturday, battling for the lead on the final climb of Stage 8.

As France's David Moncoutie (left, Cofidis) survived a day-long breakaway to take a solo victory, the General Classification contenders attacked each other on the 22% final lick of the Xorret de Catì.

Joaquin Rodriguez (Katusha) was the first of this group to cross the finish line, but he ended up ranked second in the GC, locked in a tie with Igor Anton (Euskaltel Euskadi).

Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas) is in 3rd place, 2 seconds behind, and Xavier Tondo (Cervelo) placed 4th overall, 42 seconds behind.

Attacks

Those four were among a group of cyclists who attacked the peloton on the steep slopes of Xorret de Catì, the final climb of the day. Also finishing near the front was former Tour de France winner Carlos Sastre (Cervelo) and American Tom Danielson (Garmin-Transitions). Another American, Tejay Van Garderen (HTC-Columbia) finished well enough to retain a spot in the Top 10.

A five-man breakaway of Moncoutie, Serafin Martinez (Xacobeo Galicia), Johan Tschopp (Bbox-Bouygues Telecom), Jose Luis Arrieta (Ag2r-La Mondiale) and Assan Bazayev (Astana) led the peloton over the first four climbs of the day, but appeared spent by the time they reached the final climb.

King of the Mountains

As Nibali's Liquigas team attacked to close the gap, Moncoutie appeared to be the only rider in the break with any energy remaining. He won, finishing 54 seconds ahead of breakaway mates Martinez, Tschoop and Arrieta. Moncoutie is a two-time winner of the King of the Mountains jersey, and it's clear that he wants to win it again in 2010.

The General Classification contenders took turns attacking on the climb, with Sastre even making an attempt.

More sorting out may occur on Stage 9 on Sunday, as the peloton faces six Category 2 and 3 climbs.

Top 10 overall

1. Igor Anton (Euskaltel-Euskadi)

2. Joaquin Rodriguez (Katusha)

3. Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas) – 2 seconds behind

4. Xavier Tondo (Cervelo) – 42 seconds behind

5. Mario Bruseghin (Caisse d'Epargne) – 1:10 behind

6. Ruben Plaza (Caisse d'Epargne) – 1:15 behind

7. Ezequiel Mosquera (Xacobeo) – 1:18 behind

8. Nicolas Roche (AG2R) – 1:19 behind

9. Peter Velits (HTC-Columbia) – 1:26 behind

10. Tejay Van Garderen (HTC-Columbia) – 1:26 behind

Others

12. Tom Danielson (Garmin-Transistions) – 1:42 behind

13. Frank Schleck (Saxo Bank) — 1:47 behind

More results at CyclingNews and the Vuelta a Espana website.