Spain’s Rodriguez wins 12th stage of Tour de France, Andy Schleck clings to lead

Rodriguez wins Tour’s 12th stage

MENDE, France — 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.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

BOURG-DE-PEAGE, France (AP) — Andy Schleck of Luxembourg is defending his slender 41-second lead over defending champion Alberto Contador of Spain as riders set off on the 12th stage of the Tour de France.

Friday’s 131-mile trek from Bourg-de-Peage to Mende features five mid-grade climbs, and ends with a short but feisty ascent up La Croix Neuve pass.

Schleck’s Saxo Bank team director Bjarne Riis thinks the climb is too short for Schleck to increase his lead over Contador before the race hits four grueling days of climbing in the Pyrenees.

“I don’t see much happening,” Riis said.

Samuel Sanchez of Spain started the stage in third place, 2:45 behind Schleck, while Denis Menchov of Russia was 2:58 back in fourth.