Gorka Izaguirre won stage eight of the Giro d'Italia ©Getty Images

Spain’s Gorka Izaguirre won the eighth stage of the Giro d’Italia as part of a four-man breakaway group in Peschici.

A large group of riders, featuring no general classification contenders, was eventually allowed to develop during the 189km stage from Molfetta to Peschici.

Heading towards the final 30km of racing, five riders were able to pull away off the front, with Izaguirre joined by Italy’s Giovanni Visconti and Valerio Conti, Spain’s Luis Leon Sanchez and Austria’s Lukas Pöstlberger.

The latter would slip out of contention as the race drew towards its conclusion, with the peloton starting to close in.

Izaguirre emerged as the victor in a time of 4 hours 24min and 59sec, with Visconti ending 5sec behind.

Sanchez finished in third place as he crossed the line 10sec behind, with the peloton crossing just two further back.

“The stage was very hard, I took the breakaway,” said Izaguirre, after the Movistar rider earned his first Grand Tour stage win.

“The average speed was very high.

“Visconti was probably the most dangerous rival for the stage victory in the front group.

“I'm very happy that I won.

“I got an opportunity and I'm glad I didn't miss it.”

The top of the general classification remained unchanged after the stage ©Getty Images
The top of the general classification remained unchanged after the stage ©Getty Images

The top of the general classification remained unchanged, with the overall contenders safely crossing the line in the peloton.

Luxembourg’s Bob Jungels of Quick-Step retained the overall lead, with Team Sky’s Geraint Thomas 6sec behind.

Thomas’ fellow Briton Adam Yates is a further four seconds behind, along with defending champion Vincenzo Nibali of Italy and 2014 winner Nairo Quintana of Colombia.

The International Cycling Union (UCI) WorldTour race will continue tomorrow with a 149km stage from Montenero di Bisaccia to Blockhaus.

The third stage of the women's Tour of California saw American Coryn Rivera claim a sprint victory, edging out Cuba's Arlenis Sierra and Italy's Giorgia Bronzini.

Katharine Hall retained the overall lead, but the American's advantage over Dutch rival Anna Van der Breggen is now just one second.

Van der Breggen picked up a two second bonus in the intermediate sprint to move closer to the leader.

Racing will continue tomorrow, with the men's race also set to get underway.