Voeckler gets thumbs-up from Schlecks, Armstrong

Seven years ago little-known Frenchman Thomas Voeckler caught the eye during a 10-day spell in the lead of the Tour de France, before finally handing the yellow jersey to Lance Armstrong. During the 14th stage here Saturday, retired seven-time champion Armstrong was backing the Frenchman to stun the cycling world by continuing to hold off more authentic champions. "If Voeckler makes it to the finish with the leaders today then we have to say he can win the TDF," Armstrong said in a Twitter message during the gruelling 168.5km ride from Saint-Gaudens to Plateau de Beille. If anyone knows the climb to Beille, it is Armstrong. He won the stage there in 2004 ahead of Italian Ivan Basso the same day Voeckler, on his second participation, raced his heart out to save the yellow jersey by a handful of seconds. On Saturday, a far more convincing Voeckler had the French dreaming of celebrating a first home-grown winner since the legendary Bernard Hinault in 1985. As the Schleck brothers Andy and Frank launched a series of accelerations early on the 15.8km climb in a bid to drop their rivals, Voeckler remained defiant. With the support of Europcar teammate Pierre Rolland, the former French champion countered and, further on, even appeared to threaten an attack when the battle reached a stalemate. In the end Voeckler came over the finish line in the company of Australian Cadel Evans, Alberto Contador and Frank Schleck at 48sec behind stage winner Jelle Vanendert of Belgium. Voeckler has spent the past three days in the Pyrenees saying he expects to lose the jersey to one of the big pre-race favourites. But even the Schlecks are beginning to take notice. "Voeckler is not a surprise," said Andy. "We were counting on him to be strong. We know he is good, and the yellow jersey only makes him better." Frank added: "He's a great rider that races with a lot of panache. We fully expected him to be with top contenders at the finish today." Voeckler still has a lead of 1min 49sec on Frank Schleck ahead of Sunday's mostly flat 15th stage from Limoux to Montpellier, which is set to finish in a bunch sprint. Monday's rest day precedes three consecutive days in the Alps, and if they don't separate the contenders from the pretenders the 20th stage penultimate time trial should. Evans, too, appears to be wary of Voeckler: "I think he's going to go a few more days at least. As long as they don't have the jersey on the Champs Elysees." Despite his current form, however, Voeckler said the legs he has now would have been no match for Armstrong in 2004. "I've progressed since 2004," explained Voeckler, who has won a stage in the past two editions of the race. "Right now I think I have the best form of my career. But even if I'd had the same condition in 2004, I don't think I would have been able to follow Armstrong."