French darling Thomas Voeckler has established himself as a unique rider in the professional peloton, making his name through a career of daring performances and a reputation for bold, gutsy riding.
Until recently, these traits saw him winning the hearts of the French public more often than the bigger name races. Yet a memorable week in yellow in the 2011 Tour de France has lead his many fans and observers to believe there may lie an unlocked Grand Tour potential behind his ‘sweetheart' status and trademark stuck-out tongue.
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Turning professional in 2000 for the Bonjour team, Voeckler has remained loyal to the team and its manager, Jean-René Bernadeau, throughout its various incarnations.
He burst to public recognition with a French national title and a ten-day stint in yellow in the 2004 Tour de France, defying the best efforts of Lance Armstrong to hold onto the jersey through the Pyrenees.
Voeckler's appetite for a breakaway is one of the most voracious of any rider, and not without good reason. Despite busy years for Bouygues-Telecom without matching the successes of 2004, a late attack from a break formed in the first kilometer gave him his first highly coveted stage win at the Tour in 2009.
His solo victory in 2010 into Bagnères de Luchon in the heart of the high mountains proved his attacking credentials and hinted at a climbing ability that was put to the test the following year.
Reportedly the sole reason for Europcar deciding to fill his team's sponsor void, Voeckler repaid their confidence with early season 2011 wins in the Tour Méditerrnéan, Tour du Haut Var, GP Cholet and two stages in Paris-Nice.
A memorable Tour de France stage in the Massif Central, which saw breakaway companions Juan-Antonio Flecha and Johnny Hoogerland scythed down by a television car, put Voeckler in yellow once more.
It took until the final day in the Alps for him to relinquish his jersey, yet his characteristic dogged performances in the mountains gave him a well-deserved fourth place on the GC and with it the tentative hopes of the French nation for the upcoming years.
In 2012, Voeckler took two stages of the Tour de France, including a repeat solo win in Bagnères de Luchon after a hard day in the Pyrenees which also put him in the King of the Mountains jersey.
Thomas Voeckler results
2013
Criterium du Dauphine; stage six
2012
Brabanste Pijl
Tour de France; stage 10
Tour de France; stage 16
2011
Tour de France; leader stages 9-18, fourth overall
4 Jours de Dunkerque; stage four
4 Jours de Dunkerque; overall classification
Giro del Trentino; stage two
GP Cholet
Paris-Nice; stage four
Paris-Nice; stage eight
Tour du Haut Var; overall classification
Tour Méditerranéen; stage 1
2010
GP de Québec
Tour de France; stage 15
French National Championships, road race
2009
Tour de France; stage five
Trophée des Grimpeurs
Tour du Haut Var; stage two
Tour du Haut Var; overall classification
Etoile de Bessèges; overall classification
2008
GP de Plumelec-Morbihan
Circuit de la Sarthe
2007
GP Ouest-France Plouay
Tour du Poitou-Charentes et de la Vienne
Paris-Nice; mountains classification
2006
Paris-Bourges
Route du Sud; overall classification
Route du Sud; stage one
Vuelta al Pais Vasco; stage five
2005
4 Jours de Dunkerque; stage three
2004
Tour de France; leader stages 5-14
French National Championships, road race
Route du Sud; stage four
A Travers le Morbihan
2003
Tour de l'Avenir; stage eight
Tour de Luxembourg; overall classification
Tour de Luxembourg; stage one
Tour de Luxembourg; stage 3a
Classic Loire Atlantique
Thomas Voeckler photos
Related links
Cycling Weekly Rider Profiles: index
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Richard Abraham is an award-winning writer, based in New Zealand. He has reported from major sporting events including the Tour de France and Olympic Games, and is also a part-time travel guide who has delivered luxury cycle tours and events across Europe. In 2019 he was awarded Writer of the Year at the PPA Awards.
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