Posted: Jul 16, 2010 6:29 PM by Jordan Mason
Updated: Jul 16, 2010 6:35 PM
MENDE, France (AP) - Joaquin Rodriguez of Spain has won the 12th stage of the Tour de France along five mid-grade climbs and a short but feisty ascent. Andy Schleck narrowly retained the overall race lead.
Rodriguez edged two-time Tour champion Alberto Contador in Friday's 131-mile course from Bourg-de-Peage to Mende in deeply rural southern France.
Schleck, from Luxembourg, crossed several seconds behind Contador and was set to retain his yellow jersey. But with a dent in the 41-second lead he had over Contador when the stage began.
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