Dessel takes yellow jersey

Cycling : Cyril Dessel claimed the overall lead in the Tour de France after finishing second to Juan Miguel Mercado on stage…

Cycling: Cyril Dessel claimed the overall lead in the Tour de France after finishing second to Juan Miguel Mercado on stage 10 between Cambo-les-Bains and Pau, the first mountain stage of the race.

And the Frenchman, riding for the AG2R Prevoyance team, also snatched the lead in the King of the Mountains standings, his 54 points on the day's three climbs handing him the polka dot jersey as well as the prized yellow.

Mercado was named as the most aggressive rider for the stage, and took victory on the day after a thrilling sprint finish over the last 200m.

Tomorrow's 11th stage will take the peloton from Tarbes over 206.5 kms with five climbs including the last ascent to the finish at the summit of the Plat-de-Beret.