Halgand celebrates 'best-ever win'

Halgand was a dominant force throughout

Patrice Halgand declared his victory in the 10th stage of the Tour de France as his greatest ever.

Stage 10 results

Halgand restores French pride

The Frenchman, who is the first home rider to win a stage this year, set a blistering pace to complete the course in three hours and 15 seconds.

His average speed of 48.932 kmh was the third-fastest ever on a Tour stage behind Mario Cipollini (50.355 kmh) and Johan Bruyneel (49.417 kmh).

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"I gave it my all today," he said. "I really wanted to win one stage on the Tour.

"This is really great, it's my best victory even if I have won two good races this season."

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Halgand won a stage in the Dunkirk Four Days and another in the Dauphine Libere earlier this season.

His decision to attack was justified as he surprised fast finishers Stuart O'Grady and Ludo Dierckxsens.

Fellow Frenchman Jerome Pineau, who eventually finished second, was the other member of the group to be left behind.

"I'm the one who launched the move when four of us broke away and eight kilometres from the finish, I told myself, let's go for it," said Halgand.

"I knew Stuart and Dierckxsens were good sprinters and I had to finish on my own to win today."