Nicolas Roche has taken the overall lead at the Vuelta a Espana, following a superb third place finish in the eighth stage, in Andalusia. Roche elads his enarest challenger - Christopher Horner of the Radioshack team - by 17 seconds.

Roche’s rise to the top spot provides welcome good news for Irish cycling, following Dan martin’s withdrawal with injury sustained in a serious crash during yesterday’s seventh stage.

 Image: Nicolas Roche riding for Ireland at 2012 Olympic games ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy