Landis takes overall lead from Dessel

Russian Denis Menchov outsprinted Americans Levi Leipheimer and Floyd Landis to win the gruelling 206.5-km eleventh stage of the Tour de France through the Pyrenees from Tarbes yesterday.

Landis claimed the yellow jersey from Frenchman Cyril Dessel by eight seconds.

After a long stage, the battle among the contenders for overall victory on July 23 took place on the final ascent, the first-category Pla-de-Beret.

Spaniard David De La Fuente (Saunier Duva) claimed the best climber's polka-dot jersey from Dessel after breaking away with three other riders.

The arduous high mountain passes and the heat took their toll on the pre-race favourites, with Italian Paolo Salvoldelli, winner of the Giro d'Italia in 2005, and American Yaroslav Popovych, both Discovery Channel, struggling.