Sanchez justifies leader status with stage win

ST GIRONS, France (Reuters) - Spain's Luis Leon Sanchez outsprinted his breakaway companions to win the 176.5km eighth stage of the Tour de France between Andorra and St Girons on Saturday.

Sanchez, one of the most promising riders in the bunch, surged on the final stretch to beat Frenchman Sandy Casar, fellow Spaniard Mikel Astarloza and Russia's Vladimir Efimkin.

Despite numerous attacks in the two first category climbs of the day, which put his leader's spot in jeopardy, Italian Rinaldo Nocentini retained the yellow jersey.

The 25-year-old Sanchez, winner of Paris-Nice and six other races this season, was a stage winner on the Tour in Aurillac last year.

His latest victory came on the day when his team mate Oscar Pereiro, the 2006 Tour winner, called it quits.

Sanchez became the flag bearer for the team after Alejandro Valverde decided against entering the Tour because he is banned from racing in Italy, with the race due to pass through Italian territory.

Sanchez decided to add Leon to his first name in memory of his older brother, also a professional rider, who was killed in a motorbike accident in 2005.

"I'm lucky to be in such a team. I dedicate this victory to my team mates, to my father and my brother who is up there," he said.

ATTACK STALEMATE