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.