Arvesen outdoes Bettini

The CSC rider proved the strongest in a 22-man break-away after joining the escape group on his own with just under 100 kilometres to ride after the Cat. 3 Sestola climb.

It was the second consecutive day of disappointment for Bettini, as the Italian was relegated to third in Saturday's seventh stage by Italian Alessandro Petacchi and Norwegian Thor Hushovd.

After Emanuele Sella launched an attack in the final kilometre, Bettini led the charge to chase down his compatriot before being overtaken at the line by Arvesen.

The 32-year-old Norwegian adds a second Tour of Italy victory to his stage ten win in 2003.

T-Mobile's Marco Pinotti retains the pink jersey with a 28 second lead over Liquigas' Andrea Noè, who moves into second-place after finishing with the lead group after the 200-km stage from Barberino di Mugello to Fiorano Modenese.

Monday's ninth stage takes the peloton 177-km from Reggio Emilia to Lido Di Camaiore.