Gary Imlach and Chris Boardman present highlights of stage eight. A major mountain stage through the Pyrenees, with no less than 45km of climbing, including the towering Col du Tourmalet, 19km at a gradient of 7.4 per cent in the first half. Three major climbs follow, culminating in the Col de Peyresourde at 7.1km at 7.8 per cent. A long and technical descent leads the peloton into Bagneres-de-Louchon, where, among others, Thomas Voeckler has won in the recent past. Commentary by Ned Boulting and David Millar with Daniel Friebe reporting from the roadside.