Andy Schleck takes Tour de France lead

HUEZ, France, July 22 (UPI) -- Pierre Rolland claimed the final mountain stage of the 2011 Tour de France Friday and Andy Schleck took the overall lead with two stages left to be run.

Alberto Contador, who won three of the last four Tour de France general classifications, made an early break in an attempt to become a factor in this year's race. He held the lead for most of the day before Rolland and Samuel Sanchez caught him with about 1.5 miles to go.

Sanchez held with Contador but Rolland pulled away and picked up his first Tour de France stage win, covering the 68 miles from Modane to Alpe-d'Huez in 3 hours, 13 minutes, 25 seconds.

Sanchez was second, finishing 14 seconds later, and Contador came in third 23 seconds behind Rolland.

Behind the stage leaders cyclists positioned themselves in the general classification with the key riders all timed at 57 seconds behind Rolland.

Andy Schleck is 53 seconds ahead of his brother Frank Schleck in the overall standings. Cadel Evans is third another 4 seconds off the pace. Thomas Voeckler, who led the overall standings for 10 days but was 20th Friday, is fourth but 2 minutes, 10 seconds behind. Contador is sixth, 3:55 behind Andy Schleck.

Two stages remain, including Saturday's 26.4-mile time trial in Grenoble. The race concludes Sunday with a 59-mile ride from Creteil in the southeastern suburbs of Paris into the city.