Tour de France:Thomas Voeckler gave the host country its first victory in this year's Tour de France on his lucky day, winning the fifth stage from Le Cap d'Agde to Perpignan on his own today.
Five years ago to the day, he shot to fame in France by seizing the yellow jersey and kept the lead for five days.
"I waited for so long for this to happen I had almost ceased to believe in my chances of winning a Tour stage," the 30-year-old Bouygues Telecom rider said at the finish.
Since he became a revelation in 2004, the year he also became French champion, Voeckler has shone intermittently, winning respected races like Paris-Bourges, the Grand Prix de Plouay or the Tour du Haut Var this year.
His early season form has been excellent -- he also won the opening Etoile de Besseges and Trophee des Grimpeurs in the spring -- but the Frenhcman has been hampered by the broken collarbone he sustained in April's Paris-Nice race.
"I never believed in our chances to go all the way," he said of the six-man break he joined on Wednesday after 12km in the 196.5-km stage.
"I went in the finale because I was not the best sprinter in the break and 300 metres from the line I realised that was it. I was helped by the wind, I would never have succeeded otherwise," he said.
His lucky day is also the 53rd birthday of his Bouygues Telecom team manager, Jean-Rene Bernaudeau, who has coached him since his professional debut.
"I don't know how old Jean-Rene is today and I'm glad to offer him this gift but actually this win is more for me and my family," Voeckler said.
But he hoped his victory could help Bernaudeau find a new sponsor, with Bouygues Telecom having announced its withdrawal from the sport from the end of 2010 at the latest.
Ireland's Nicolas Roche finished 44th and lies in 48th place overall - 3 mins 16 secs off the lead.