Frank Schleck of Luxembourg has won the mountainous 15th stage of the Tour de France, while American cyclist Floyd Landis reclaimed the overall lead.
Schleck broke away from Damian Cunego of Italy in the final two kilometers Tuesday. He completed the uphill finish of the 187-kilometer stage, which included three tough climbs, in 4:52:22.
Cunego was 11 seconds behind in second place, while his countryman, Stefano Garzelli, was third, 0:01:10 back. Landis and Andrea Kloden of Germany finished with the same time as Garzelli.
Landis moved 10 seconds ahead of Oscar Pereiro in the overall standings, after the Spaniard had held the race lead for the past two days. Cyril Dessel of France is third, 0:02:02 behind.
The 15th stage was the first of three straight grueling Alpine stages. The mountain stages, along with the final time trial on Saturday, are expected to determine who wins the first Tour de France in the post-Lance Armstrong era.
World champion Tom Boonen of Belgium dropped out of the race after one of the difficult climbs Tuesday.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.