Belgium's Philippe Gilbert said he was "in the game" for the green jersey, after a gutsy ride saw him finish second on Stage 8 and take the lead in the Tour's points classifcation.
Gilbert overtook Jose Joaquin Rojas after picking up 25 points on the day, and is now 34 points ahead of arch-rival, Britain's Mark Cavendish, in the race for the green jersey.
"I'm coming in the game," Gilbert told Ned Boulting. "I did what I had to do on the last climb, I made a good move for the green jersey so I think it's a good day."
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