Young Belgian rider Greg Van Avermaet (Silence-Lotto) improved on an already good year by taking the first  Grand Tour stage victory of his career. He got away in a group of 11 riders after approximately 53 kilometres of racing managed to outpsrint Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner), Juan Antonio Flecha (Rabobank), Rinaldo Nocentini (AG2R La Mondiale), Damiano Cunego (Lampre) plus the other six riders at the finish. Quite an impressive run.

Egoi Martínez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) was also in the break group and crossed the line in 10th place, one place ahead of David Moncoutie (Cofidis). Martinez did some driving in the break and earned enough time bonuses to take over the maillot oro. Astana teammates Levi Leipeimer and Alberto Contador are 11 and 32 seconds back respectively.

Tags: alberto contador, astana, Cofidis, Damiano Cunego, david moncoutie, David Moncoutie (Cofidis), Egoi Martínez, Euskaltel-Euskadi, Greg Van Avermaet, Juan Antonio Flecha, Levi Leipeimer, Levi Leipheimer, Rabobank, Rebellin, Silence-Lotto, stage 9, tour of spain 2008, vuelta a espana 2008