Risks pay off as Dessel takes Tour lead

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 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.