Victor Lafay claims first pro stage victory

Ireland's Dan Martin had a day to forget as whe was forced to make multiple stops and bike changes

OUT ON HIS OWN: Team Cofidis rider Victor Lafay celebrates his first stage win as a professional on the Giro d'Italia this afternoon.

Victor Lafay of Cofidis claimed his first stage victory as a professional when he won stage eight of the Giro d'Italia on Saturday while Caleb Ewan, who won two stages this week, was forced to abandon the race due to pain in his knee.

Frenchman Lafay, 25, was among a group of nine in the breakaway on the final climb of the 170km stage and held off a late surge from Eolo-Kometa's Francesco Gavazzi who finished second with Team DSM's Nikias Arndt third.