Experienced French climber David Moncoutie claimed his fourth Tour of Spain stage win in four years on Wednesday while Britain's Bradley Wiggins took over as race leader.

Unbeaten in the King of the Mountains competition in the Vuelta since 2008, the 36-year-old Moncoutie raced clear with 12-km to go in the summit finish to Stage 11.

Benat Intxausti crossed the line in second place, 78 seconds back, and fellow Spaniard Luis Leon Sanchez finished third.

"This was a stage I had marked with a cross in the route book ever since the race began," Cofidis rider Moncoutie told reporters after the 167-km leg.

"I can't say if I'll win the King of the Mountains competition, there's guys like [stage nine winner Dan] Martin [of Ireland] who are pushing hard this year. But I'll do my best to get a fourth title."

Overnight leader Chris Froome of Britain dropped down to second overall after slipping back 3-km from the summit.

Wiggins is now seven seconds ahead of Sky team mate Froome. Defending champion Vincenzo Nibali of Italy is third, a further four seconds adrift.

"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," Wiggins told Roadcycling.com when asked to comment on the events of today's stage.

"I didn't really expect to be in this position, coming here off such a bad crash," said Wiggins referring to the broken collarbone he sustained in last month's Tour de France.

"Now it's like a dream. I'm leading the Vuelta and that's after a terrible start in Benidorm in the opening time trial."

"There are two or three difficult mountain stages that will decide this Vuelta, there are time bonuses as well and it's not over at all," said Wiggins. "But I'll give it 100 percent to take this lead all the way to Madrid."

He heaped praise on teammate Froome who unexpectedly took the race lead in Monday's time trial in Salamanca.

"Chris rode 100 percent for me today, he rode a fantastic race for me and that's what has made the team so special in this race," Wiggins said.

The 2011 Vuelta a Espana ends in Madrid on September 11.

Watch video highlights from all stages of the 2011 Vuelta a Espana in our video section.