Contador moves into Tour de France lead

BAGNERES-DE-LUCHON, France, July 19 (UPI) -- Defending Tour de France champion Alberto Contador grabbed the overall lead Monday in a stage won by Thomas Voeckler.

Voeckler led for about 60 miles and was in front up the late uncategorized climb in winning the stage. He completed the 116.25-mile run from Pamiers to Bagneres-de-Luchon in 4 hours, 44 minutes and 51 seconds.

But the drama was about 3 minutes back where Contador, who won the Tour de France in 2007 and 2009, crossed the finish line. He was 39 seconds ahead of Andy Schleck, which put Contador in the overall lead by 8 seconds.

Schleck had been the overall leader since Tuesday but had a chain pop on his bicycle Monday, a problem that let Contador pull away.

Contador becomes the fifth rider to wear the leader's yellow jersey this year.

Samuel Sanchez is 2 minutes behind Contador and Denis Menchov is fourth, 2:13 back of the leader.

Voeckler won Monday's stage by 1:20 over Alessandro Ballan and Aitor Perez Arrieta. Contador was in a group 2:50 off Voeckler's time while Schleck led another pack timed 3:29 behind the lead.

Tuesday's stage -- the 16th in the 20-stage race -- covers 123.7 miles from Bagneres-de-Luchon to Pau in southwestern France. The route begins with two Category 1 climbs in the first 25 miles followed by a pair of uncategorized climbs in the middle third and a nearly 5,000-foot descent over the final 38 miles.