Laurent Jalabert became the toast of France with his second stage victory of this year’s Tour. He gave the French public exactly what they wanted on Bastille Day, by riding a perfect and astute race and celebrated with a two handed salute. The 32-year-old attacked on every descent of the 162.5km stage and won alone in Colmar. The Frenchman’s ride brought back memories of his emphatic victory in Mende, on this very day in 1995. That year ‘Jaja’ won the points jersey and finished fourth overall. By wining once again on Bastille Day, Jalabert joins an elite group of riders to win twice on this day .
He now lies second overall behind new yellow jersey holder Jens Voigt. The German had started the day second overall behind Stuart O’Grady, but followed Jalabert into a lead group of five that came home nearly five minutes ahead of the lead pack, containing Lance Armstrong and Jan Ullrich. Although O’Grady lost out he is still third in the general classification and can now concentrate on his battle with Erik Zabel of Telelkom for the Green jersey.

Jalabert’s win helps rescue a season that only got going two months ago. The CSC rider fell down a ladder and could not participate in the spring classics. He now looks set a for finish in Paris and the possibility of winning a third stage, as Erik Dekker did last year, is not out of the question.

Stage Strasbourg-Colmar 162.5km

1st Laurent Jalabert (France, CSC) 4h’06m’04s

2nd Jens Voigt (Ger, CA) at 11s

3rd Laurent Roux (Fra, Jean Delatour) at s.t

4th Inigo Cuesta (Esp, Cofidis) at 13s

5th Ivan Basso (Ita, Fasso) at 1’36

6th David Etxebarria (Esp, Euscatel) at 4’28

7th Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz, Telekom)

8th Laurent Brichard (Fra, Jean Delatour)

9th Matteo Tosatto (Ita, Fasso)

10th Frank Bouyer (Fra, Bonjour) at s.t

Overall standings

1st Jens Voigt (Germany, CA) 29h’51m’29s

2nd Laurent Jalabert (Fra, CSC) at 2’34

3rd Stuart O’Grady (Aus, CA) at 4’03

4th Bobby Julich (US, CA) at 4’26

5th Igor Galdeano (Esp, ONCE) at 5’00

6th Joseba Beloki (Esp, ONCE) at 5’10

7th Carlos Satre (Esp, ONCE) at 5’11

8th Jorg Jaksche (Ger, ONCE) at 5’15

9th Christophe Moreau (Fra, Festina) at 5’20

10th Ivan Gutirrez (Esp, ONCE) at 5’23

15th Lance Armstrong (US, USPS) at 5’56

17th Santiago Botero (Col, Kelme) at 6’23

19th Jan Ullrich (Ger, Telekom) at 6’23

21st Roberto Heras (Esp, USPS) at 6’37