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Pitch took hold on intellect forfeiting a commanding lead (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

bitumen

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'pitch' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.

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(Other definitions for bitumen that I've seen before include "material that surfaces" , "Road's topping" , "Road-surfacing material" , "coverage on the streets?" , "Asphalt" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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