PORRENTRUY, Switzerland – Thibaut Pinot gave France its first victory in the Tour de France this year by winning the eighth stage Sunday as Bradley Wiggins retained the overall lead after conquering seven mid-size climbs as the race entered Switzerland. The Frenchman broke away from the pack during a steep, final climb he overcame to win the 157.5-kilometer stage from Belfort to the Swiss town of Porrentruy. Cadel Evans of Australia was second, 26 seconds behind. Tony Gallopin of France was third, and Wiggins was fourth in a small group that included most of the remaining pre-race favorites. In the last, mostly flat 10 kilometers of the stage, the Tour favorites relayed each other skillfully in a frenzied chase of Pinot. The 22-year-old Frenchman, who is the youngest rider in the peloton, held on. Sunday's stage win was by far Pinot's biggest achievement. His previous top performance was at the 2010 the Tour of Romandie, where he won the best-climber award. “I will remember this day my entire life,” Pinot said as teammates were embracing him. “I can't yet get my mind around it.” Overall, Wiggins leads defending champion Cadel Evans by 10 seconds. The Australian mounted a late, but unsuccessful attack on the Briton. Italy's Vincenzo Nibali was third, 16 seconds behind the leader. Sunday's race was marred by another crash that ended with a high profile withdrawal from the Tour. Defending Olympic champion Samuel Sanchez pulled out after a crash 65 kilometers into the stage. He broke his right hand and injured his left shoulder, and could miss the London Games. — AP
