2009 Tour de France: France's sweetheart Thomas Voeckler solos to victory in stage 5

July 8, 3:22 PMPhiladelphia Cycling ExaminerAnne Rock

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AP Photo / Laurent Rebours

Thomas Voeckler, the Frenchman with the German sounding name, emerged a hero in the 2004 Tour de France by wearing the yellow jersey for nine days before it fell on eventual winner Lance Armstrong's shoulders.  

The French, desperate for a new cycling hero,  went ballistic for this young phenom.

Today Voeckler, of the BBox Bouygues Telecom squad, won the 122 mile race from Le Cap d'Agde to Perpignan.  He attacked the remaining riders in a six-man break with five kilometers to go, crossing the finish on his own and basking in the adoration of his compatriots.  

This spoiled the day for the sprinters who are running out of stages before the race heads into the Pyrenees.  This act of aggression further dispels Team Highroad rider Mark Cavendish's assertion that the other teams are racing like "juniors." 

Allez, Thomas!