Tour de France - the weekend in pictures

Stage eight was the first major mountain stage of this year's Tour. Here, the peloton passes through countryside during the 195km journey from Castres Photograph: Bryn Lennon/Getty Images

The pack climbs towards Pailheres pass in the Pyrenees Photograph: Christophe Ena/AP

This part of southwestern France has some wonderful scenery... Photograph: JOEL SAGET/AFP/Getty Images

... and some colourful spectators too. Here, France's Pierre Rolland rides amongst the crowd Photograph: PASCAL GUYOT/AFP/Getty Images

Chris Froome of Team Sky was the dominant force during stage 8 and won emphatically. He attacked early into the day’s second big climb up to Ax 3 Domaines and was 51 seconds ahead of second-placed Richie Porte Photograph: John Berry/Getty Images

Exhausting stuff, as Jean-Christophe Peraud and Romain Bardet can attest Photograph: Bryn Lennon/Getty Images

Froome took over the leader's yellow jersey, well ahead of former champion Alberto Contador and former race leader Daryl Impey Photograph: John Berry/Getty Images

Stage nine was a 168.5km race from Saint-Girons to Bagneres-de-Bigorre Photograph: JEAN-PAUL PELISSIER/REUTERS

Spectators lined the route Photograph: Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

There were plenty of farm animals along the way too Photograph: Joel Saget/AFP/Getty Images

Chris Froome is seen here in his yellow jersey Photograph: John Berry/Getty Images

Fans line the route as riders climb La Hourquette d'Ancizan Photograph: Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

Ireland's Daniel Martin, riding for Garmin-Sharp, won the stage, with Froome safely among the peleton just 20 seconds behind Photograph: JEAN-PAUL PELISSIER/REUTERS