Cycling: Landis claims Tour yellow jersey

Floyd Landis of the United States is the new race leader after the 11th stage of the Tour de France overnight (NZ time).

Russian Denis Menchov won the tough 206.5km stage through the Pyrenees, which caught out several leading riders.

After over six hours in the saddle, Menchov outsprinted American Levi Leipheimer and compatriot Landis.

Landis relieved Frenchman Cyril Dessel of the leader's jersey thanks to bonus points.

Dessel, who came home in 18th at four minutes, 45 seconds behind Menchov, is now second overall, eight seconds behind Landis with Menchov in third at 1:01.

Evans' compatriot Michael Rogers finished 12th to be in seventh place overall.

Landis, who announced on Monday he would undergo hip surgery after the Tour, said he could not pass up the chance to snare the yellow jersey.

"I would just as soon have waited to get the yellow jersey and race easy just to let someone else do the work but you can't turn down the chance," he said.

Landis, a former lieutenant of Lance Armstrong, quit Discovery Channel to join Phonak in 2005.

On an exhausting stage, the decisive battle was waged on the final ascent, the first-category Pla-de-Beret.

Menchov, Leipheimer and Landis were among the first group of eight riders to reach the 7.5km slope, which has an average gradient of 5.5 per cent.

Christophe Moreau of France, Andreas Kloeden of Germany and Michael Boogerd of the Netherlands were soon dropped, followed by Spaniard Carlos Sastre and Evans.

Menchov, Leipheimer and Landis were left to force their way between two undulating walls of orange-clad Spanish supporters.

Spaniard David De La Fuente 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 big names such as Italian Paolo Savoldelli, winner of the Giro d'Italia in 2005, and Ukraine's Yaroslav Popovych.

In addition, Discovery Channel leader George Hincapie finished 21 minutes off the pace and Euskaltel's Iban Mayo, sixth overall in the 2003 Tour, struggled from the Tourmalet and, deserted by his team-mates, finally pulled out.

Tonight's 211.5km 12th stage is from Luchon to Carcassonne.

- REUTERS