The 23-year-old Scot, riding for the French Cofidis team, won the opening short time trial around the Futuroscope theme park near Poitiers.

Armstrong was fast - but not fast enough to stop Millar

He emulated the performance of Chris Boardman, who also won on his first appearance in the race in 1994.

Millar is only the fourth Briton in history to wear the most famous jersey in the sport, joining Boardman, Sean Yates and Tom Simpson in a small hall of fame.

Millar's initial aim at the start of the stage around the Futuroscope theme park was to take the white jersey awarded to the best young rider aged under 25.

Germany's Jan Ullrich was a second behind the time of Jalabert, with David Canada of Spain completing the top five.

Laurent Jalabert set a good early time but had to settle for third

Multinational Scot

After Boardman had to pull out of this year's Tour due to illness, Millar was left as the only Briton in the race.

The young Scot was born in Malta and then lived in Inverness, Hong Kong and Berkshire before moving to France to compete four years ago.

In the past three years with Cofidis he has posted results which suggest that he is the best British cycling hope for years.

This potential was confirmed on the flat roads around the futuristic architecture of the western France theme park.

Millar's life is about to change as a result, with the whole of continental Europe and much of the rest of the world about to learn his name.

"It's a dream. I can't even talk," he said after the stage before bursting into tears upon realising his feat.

"It's still fairly incredible. I'm going to sleep in the jersey tonight and in fact I'm not going to take it off for years!" he added.

"I hope I showed something today. I knew I was doing well but this is completely different.

"I've waited all my life for the Tour."