Calzati got himself in a six-man break after 47km

Calzati made his move having joined a six-man breakaway after 47 of the 181km from Saint-Meen-le-Grand to Lorient.

Two other escapees, Frenchman Patrice Halgand and Finn Kjell Carlstrom, were second and third, with Robbie McEwen winning a bunched sprint for fourth.

Ukraine's Serhiy Honchar remains in the yellow jersey before Monday's rest day.

It's the most beautiful day of my life Sylvain Calzati

He still leads by a minute from American Floyd Landis, with no change in the top 10 overall.

After an eight-man attack after 15km was swiftly repelled by the peloton 30km later, Calzati spearheaded the crucial break also featuring David Zabriskie (CSC), Mario Aerts (Davitamon), Carlstrom (LIQ), Matthias Kessler (TMO), and Halgand (CA).

The riders pass through the village of Saint-Goueno on stage eight

Zabriskie was stung by a bee soon afterwards, but recovered sufficiently to win the second intermediate sprint after 112km.

Calzati, who turned down a professional football contract in favour of cycling, won all four of the categorised climbs on the otherwise flat stage.

With around 30km remaining, the 27-year-old caught the rest of the escapees on the hop, quickly stretching his lead to nearly three minutes with a punishing solo burst, and eventually finishing more than two minutes clear.

"It's the most beautiful day of my life," he said later.

"I never thought I could do something like this this year. It's amazing.

"I feel like I'm in a dream. I'm sure I will only realise what I've done tomorrow. All I know right now is that I've won a race."

Calzati, 27, whose father is Italian, added: "I think a lot of people will be disappointed, but I'm supporting Italy [in the World Cup final]. I've chosen my side, and that's it."

McEwen, with three stage wins to his name already this year, maintained his superiority over Tom Boonen in the battle of the sprinters, extending his lead in the green jersey standings to 17 points.

The riders were to be swiftly transfered to Bordeaux by plane at the conclusion of Sunday's stage, so they could be at their hotels in time to watch football's World Cup final between France and Italy.

After a rest on Monday, the Tour resumes on Tuesday with the ninth stage, 169.5km from Bordeaux to Dax, the last flat stage before the Pyrenees.

Results from stage eight:
1. Sylvain Calzati (Fra/A2R) four hours 13 mins 18 secs
2. Kjell Carlstrom (Finn/LIQ) +2:05
3. Patrice Halgand (Fra/CA) +2:05
4. Robbie McEwen (Aus/DAV) +2.15
5. Daniele Bennati (Ita/LAM) +2.15
6. Erik Zabel (GER/MIL) +2.15
7. Bernhard Eisel (AUT/FDJ) +2.15
8. Luca Paolini (ITA/LIQ) +2.15
9. Tom Boonen (BEL/QST) +2.15
10. David Kopp (GER/GRL) +2.15
Selected others:
42. Bradley Wiggins (Gbr/Cofidis) +2:15
139. David Millar (Gbr/Saunier Duval) +2:15