The Frenchman has been one of the most controversial cyclists in recent seasons.

After being kicked off the 1998 Tour, when drugs were found in his team's vehicles, he denied involvement for more than two years.

But he finally confessed all in a French courtroom, and served a belated ban - months after former team-mates such as Alex Zuelle had taken their punishment.

That kept him out of the 2001 Tour, when old rival Laurent Jalabert stole the hearts of the French fans and the jersey Virenque came to regard as his own.

The darling of the French public retains his popularity with most, although he is lampooned by some for his melodramatic 18 months of denial.

But he remains a major threat for his favoured King of the Mountains jersey.

And he showed in last autumn's Paris-Tours one-day classic that he has lost none of his class and style.

He has walked away with the polka dot jersey on five occasions and has finished a best place of second in the overall standings.