Rui Costa wins stage as Hushovd keeps yellow jersey

Costa was part of a nine-man breakaway that broke clear early on in the 189km undulating stage from Aigurande to Super-Besse in the Massif Central.

The 24-year-old Movistar rider dropped his three remaining co-escapees with 3km left to ride before holding off the charge of Astana's Alexandre Vinokourov, who attacked from the peloton on the penultimate climb of the day but faded on the final climb.

Belgian Philippe Gilbert (Omega Pharma-Lotto) picked up second place, 12 seconds down, and in the process amassed enough points to return to the top of the green jersey standings.

Australia's Cadel Evans (BMC) led a select group of riders - including race favourites Alberto Contador (Saxo Bank) and Andy Schleck (Leopard Trek) as well as yellow jersey Hushovd (Garmin-Cervelo) - over the line a further three seconds back.

It was the biggest win of Costa's short career, which in 2010 hit a snag when he and his brother Mario tested positive for a banned substance - but were subsequently cleared by the World Anti-Doping Agency.

"It's the most important win for me," Costa said after another rain-soaked day on the Tour. "To win a stage on the Tour de France has always been a dream and I can't believe it. I attacked at the right moment when my fellow escapees were tiring. When I saw Vinokourov was coming I thought he would catch me, but I did all I could and held on. The emotion is astonishing. I'm just so happy.

"It's great for the team. We've had some difficult moments this year and this will help us overcome them," Costa added, referring to the tragic death of his Movistar team-mate Xavier Tondo who died in May in a freak domestic accident.

Costa crossed the summit of the penultimate climb of the stage - the second category Col de la Croix Saint-Robert - just behind American Tejan Van Garderen (HTC-Highroad), the new owner of the polka dot jersey as King of the Mountains.

Tour de France Stage Eight, Aigurande - Super-Besse Sancy:
1. Rui Alberto Faria Costa (Por) Movistar Team 4:36:46
2 Philippe Gilbert (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto 0:00:12
3 Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team 0:00:15
4 Samuel Sanchez Gonzalez (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi - same time
5 Peter Velits (Svk) HTC-Highroad - same time
6 Dries Devenyns (Bel) Quickstep Cycling Team - same time
7 Damiano Cunego (Ita) Lampre - ISD - same time
8 Alberto Contador (Spa) Saxo Bank Sungard - same time
9 Andy Schleck (Lux) Leopard Trek - same time
10 Frank Schleck (Lux) Leopard Trek - same time

General classification after Stage Eight:
1. Thor Hushovd (Nor) Team Garmin-Cervelo 33:06:28
2. Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team - at one second
3. Fränk Schleck (Lux) Leopard Trek - at four seconds
4. Andreas Klöden (Ger) Team RadioShack - at 10 seconds
5. Jakob Fuglsang (Den) Leopard Trek - at 12 seconds
6. Andy Schleck (Lux) Leopard Trek - at 12 seconds
7. Tony Martin (Ger) HTC-Highroad - at 13 seconds
8. Peter Velits (Svk) HTC-Highroad - at 13 seconds
9. David Millar (GBr) Team Garmin-Cervelo - at 19 seconds
10. Philippe Gilbert (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto - at 30 seconds