Froome takes stage eight and yellow jersey

Cycling - Tour de France cycling race - The 184-km (114,5 miles) Stage 8 from Pau to Bagneres-de-Luchon, France - 09/07/2016 - Team Sky rider Chris Froome, new yellow jersey leader, reacts on the podium after winning the stage. REUTERS/Juan Medina

By Julien Pretot

BAGNERES DE LUCHON, France (Reuters) - Briton Chris Froome took advantage of passive rivals to take the overall leader's yellow jersey in the Tour de France as he won the eighth stage after attacking on the final descent on Saturday.

The Team Sky rider sped away from a group of overall favourites at the top of the last of four gruelling climbs in the Pyrenees and never looked back as he raced down at breakneck speed towards the line.

The defending champion, who is chasing a third Tour title, finished 13 seconds ahead of Ireland's Dan Martin (Etixx-Quick Step) and Spaniard Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha).

Last year's runner-up Nairo Quintana (Movistar), who failed to attack on a searing hot day, was in the group featuring Martin and Rodriguez.

Double champion Alberto Contador lost further ground after being dropped near the top of the Col de Peyresourde, the last ascent of the 184-km stage.

(Editing by Ken Ferris/Rex Gowar)