It is likely that a breakaway group of riders who combine climbing ability and road-racing savvy, but with little chance of gaining the title, will use the stage to try and snatch a famous victory.

This was the case Saturday, when Spaniard Luis Leon Sanchez outsprinted three other riders to win the eighth stage.

The 31-year-old Nocentini began the stage with a 6-second lead over Alberto Contador of Spain, with Contador's Astana teammate, seven-time champ Lance Armstrong, another 2 seconds adrift.

Nocentini struggled Saturday on less testing climbs than he will face Sunday and was able to retain the race leader's yellow jersey only because his team worked hard and because of Astana's repeated declaration that it was not in their interest to take the race lead so early in the Tour.

The Tour ends July 26 in Paris.