Wiggins and Team Sky happy after taking lead

1. David Moncoutie – Cofidis     (4hours 38mins 00secs)

2. Benat Intxausti – Movistar        (+1:18)

3. Luis Leon Sanchez – Rabobank    (+1:18)

13. Bradley Wiggins – Team Sky    (+3:08)

34. Chris Froome - Team Sky          (+3:35)

Bradley Wiggins put in a powerful performance on the final climb to move into the race lead with Chris Froome holding on to second place overall to ensure a British 1-2 for Team Sky at the top of the standings after stage 11. David Moncoutie took the stage victory on the day with a well-timed attack on the mountaintop finish.

“I'm absolutely delighted to be in red and cannot thank my team-mates enough - they looked out for me and Froomey right the way through the stage and did a fantastic job.

“It was chilly out there on that final climb but I felt comfortable right the way to the finish. When Rodriguez attacked there was no point in trying to follow him and as always, I just kept a steady pace and worked my way to the top. To have Team Sky one and two on the podium is about as good as it gets really.

“Froomey rode tremendously well, as he seems to be doing every stage at the moment, and it was a really nice touch that he rode straight over to me and congratulated me at the end there.

“From now on, as it was today, it’s going to be all about defending this jersey and trying to hold on to it for as long as possible. It's been a tough old race so far but hopefully things will be a little easier tomorrow and I can keep myself out of trouble.”

“It was a really good day today for the team. They dropped (Jakob) Fuglsang there at the end and have some seconds now on him for GC. Brad is up there and I must say it was a really impressive ride today from the team.

“They took control when the group was away and they kept the time gaps controllable so it was a really impressive ride from the guys.

“Hat’s off to Chris.  He was in the lead but nothing changed with the position of Brad of course. He is our leader and he still was after the time trial. Chris was 100-per-cent happy with that and he did an amazing ride. Bradley will thank him for that I’m sure.

“It was a good stage to take control. It was a hard stage but there were a lot of small and twisty roads so it was better to ride at the front rather than sitting in the back that’s for sure. But the team rode great I’m really happy.”