Martin wins eighth stage of Tour of Switzerland

Tony Martin of Germany won the eighth stage of the Tour of Switzerland, and Tadej Valjavec of Slovenia retained the overall lead.

Martin finished the 182-kilometre route in 4 hours, 12 minute, 31 seconds to record the sixth stage win in the race for Team Columbia-Highroad. Four others riders with the American team have also won stages.

He edged Damiano Cunego of Italy, with Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland two seconds back. Valjavec was fourth.

Cancellara collected enough time bonuses to cut Valjavec's overall lead to four seconds. Roman Kreuziger, the defending champion from the Czech Republic, is 28 seconds behind Valjavec in third place after placing eighth Saturday.

Sunday's final stage time trial is set up for Cancellara, who won the opening stage against the clock and held the lead for three days and who is the Olympic time trial champion. The 39-kilometre route starts and finishes in his home city of Bern.

The nine-day race, covering 1,355 kilometres, is a warmup for the Tour de France, which starts July 4.

AP