Frenchman Patrice Halgand won the 10th stage today to claim his, and his Jean Delatour team's first win on the Tour de France.
The 28-year-old Halgand escaped from a four-man group, which had broken away from the peloton some time earlier, with less than 10km to race in the 147km from Bazas, just south of Bordeaux to hand the jewellery suppliers Delatour a welcome success.
In the race for the yellow jersey Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano, of the Spanish ONCE team, retained the lead after a stage that was marred by the death of a seven-year-old boy killed by one of the Tour's advertising vehicles.
America's three-time champion Lance Armstrong remained in second as both riders came in with the main peloton.
Australian champion Robbie McEwen gathered enough points over the stage to snatch the green jersey for points from six-time winner Erik Zabel of Germany.
McEwen, who only had a two-point deficit prior to the stage, came in ahead of the Telekom team leader but was beaten by compatriot Baden Cooke in their sprint for the line.
Halgand, a former Festina rider who turned professional in 1996, crossed the finish line in 3hr 00min 15sec, with another Frenchman Jerome Pinaut, of the Bonjour team, coming second at 27secs.
Australian Stuart O'Grady took third spot at 33 ahead of breakaway companion Ludo Dierckxsens of the Lampre team.
Halgand said his win was down to hard work, and his determination to win a stage in the race.
"I gave everything I had today, and I was really geed up for a win. I said a few months ago I would be on form in July, so this just shows that all my hard work has paid off."
In the overall standings Gonzalez de Galdeano, who on Wednesday was at the centre of controversy over his positive test for an asthma medicine for which he has medical permission, holds a 26-sec lead over US Postal's Armstrong.
His ONCE team-mate Joseba Beloki still sits in third spot overall at 1min 23sec.
AFP