A French win on Bastille day is always something special and Laurent Jalabert duly delivered on Saturday.

In the 88th running of the race, Jalabert escaped from four breakaway companions in the closing kilometres into Colmar.

It is the second time Jalabert has managed to win on 14 July during his long and illustrious career. The previous occasion being on the runway at Mende airfield back in 1995.

Public rehabilitation

His two stage wins in this year's race are all the more impressive considering his season may have been over before it even started in February.

Jalabert fell off a ladder at home and broke vertebrae in his back. Fortunately, he was able to recover and take his place in the Tour.

His recovery also provided the ticket into the race for the Danish CSC squad of which he is a member.

The victory also completes his rehabilitation with the French public.

Three years ago he quit the race in protest at the way the riders were being treated during the Tour's big drug scandals, when some felt he should have stayed out of respect for the Tour.

He then refused to race in France for the next two years as the new French reforms were being introduced, but now it seems all is forgiven.

He is back in the fold and is once more the toast of France.