Groenewegen wins as July 14 fireworks mark bunch sprint with two disqualifications

Dutch ace Dylan Groenewegen sprinted to a second straight win on stage eight of the Tour de France on Saturday, edging Andre Greipel and Fernando Gaviria only for the second and third-placed riders to be disqualified for being too physical. Fourth-placed Peter Sagan was moved up to second with fifth-placed John Degenkolb promoted to third after a thrilling but rough sprint. Overall leader Greg Van Avermaet of BMC held on to the yellow jersey for a sixth day and most of the other leading contenders, including Chris Froome, Romain Bardet, Vincenzo Nibali, Nairo Quintana and Richie Porte came home safely in the peloton. The 25-year-old Groenewegen, who rides for the Dutch Lotto team, flew out of the pack on France's July 14 national holiday to leave Greipel, Gaviria and Sagan trailing in his wake after making his move at the last moment and showing for a second time that he has refound his form and above all his confidence. "I didn't see what happened behind me and can't comment on the decision," said the Dutch rider who also won Friday's seventh stage to join Sagan and Gaviria with two wins each from the first eight days' racing. Two riders who had a tough time of it were Dan Martin and Julian Alaphilippe, after a mass fall 17km from the line. Martin of UAE Team Emirates lost around a minute to his title rivals. After the fall Martin, who won stage six on Thursday at the Mur-de-Bretagne, was bleeding from the elbow and had a ripped hole showing blood on his back. Quick-Step's Alaphilippe, who started the day in fourth in the GC, crossed the line with Martin, wincing in pain as he rode.