Linus Gerdemann

(Newser) - Danish biker Michael Rasmussen showed off his mountain-climbing skills yesterday by winning Stage 8 of the 2007 Tour de France, a grueling 102.5-mile trek through the Alps, by over three minutes. Rasmussen, who was not heavily favored to win, now holds a 43-second margin over German Linus Gerdemann.

(Newser) - Linus Gerdemann, riding in his first Tour de France, won the 7th stage today, giving him the overall lead. The 24 year old, a member of Germany's T-Mobile team, holds a 1 minute 24 second lead over second place heading into tomorrow's stage 8, a grueling trek through the Alps....