Frenchman Lilian Calmejane won stage eight of the Tour de France on Saturday, while Britain’s Chris Froome retained the leaders’ yellow jersey.

The Direct Energie rider launched a late break at the end of the 187.5km stage to finish 37 seconds ahead of Dutchman Robert Gesink and claim the polkadot king of the mountains jersey.

Ireland’s Nicolas Roche was fourth, 50 seconds behind Calmejane.

‘It’s huge, I can barely believe it, it’s pretty much everything I was dreaming of at the start,’ said Calmejane, who is riding his first Tour.

‘Last year at the Vuelta I won in a similar manner; it’s my first Tour, the eighth stage: a wonderful victory.

‘Four kilometres from the end and at the finish I had cramps every time I straightened my leg and I wasn’t far away from a catastrophe. But today was my day.’

Froome thanked his Sky teammates for helping him to keep the yellow jersey.

‘That was a tough day,’ he added. ‘Especially with Sunday’s decisive day to come.’

Stage eight result:

1. Lilian Calmejane (Fra/Direct Energie) 4hrs 30mins 29secs
2. Robert Gesink (Ned/LottoNL) +37secs
3. Guillaume Martin (Fra/Wanty) +50secs
4. Nicolas Roche (Ire/BMC Racing) Same time
5. Roman Kreuziger (Cze/Orica)
6. Fabio Aru (Ita/Astana)
7. Michael Valgren (Den/Astana)
8. Rafal Majka (Pol/Bora)
9. Nathan Brown (US/Cannondale)
10. Romain Hardy (Fra/Fortuneo)

General classification after stage eight:

1. Chris Froome (GB/Team Sky) 33hrs 19mins 10secs
2. Geraint Thomas (GB/Team Sky) +12secs
3. Fabio Aru (Ita/Astana) +14secs
4. Daniel Martin (Ire/Quick-Step) +25secs
5. Richie Porte (Aus/BMC Racing) +39secs
6. Simon Yates (GB/Orica) +43secs
7. Romain Bardet (Fra/AG2R) +47secs
8. Alberto Contador (Spa/Trek) +52secs
9. Nairo Quintana (Col/Movistar) +54secs
10. Rafal Majka (Pol/Bora) +1min 01secs

Photo: Tour de France