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...

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.

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