DESPITE slipping to ninth overnight in the overall Tour de France standings, former Armidale cyclist Cadel Evans has been tipped as the man to beat by one of the sport’s legends.

As Evans continues his quest to go one better than last year and become the first Australian to ever win the sport’s most prestigious event, a former champion has declared him the man to beat.

Triple Tour de France champion Greg LeMond tips Evans to win this year’s race and believes such a victory would confirm his belief that a new generation of drug-free cyclists is emerging.

LeMond, who became the first non-European to win the Tour in 1986 and also triumphed in 1989 and 1990 after nearly being killed in a shooting accident while hunting in 1987, was unequivocal in his praise for Evans.

Speaking in Auray before the start of stage two to Saint-Brieuc, the American said that Evans had forged his career as a clean rider in an era when doping had been rampant.

“He’s my favourite. He has been so consistent,” LeMond, 47, said.

“He was good - consistent, not at the top - during the height of all this doping issue.

“He might be the big talent [if] you start eliminating people getting the big advantage.”

LeMond believes Evans showed his potential during his career in mountain biking in which he twice won the World Cup.

Evans’s successes in the discipline quickly raised interest among the big road teams.

“He was very good in mountain biking and made a very good transition from mountain biking to road racing,” LeMond said.

“He [Evans] came into the sport when there were a lot of problems, but now the sport has cleaned up and he’s good at the right time.

“That cream rises to the top.”

A Frenchman hasn’t won his home event in 23 years but for just a day France can enjoy some tour celebration after the 208 km third stage from Saint Malo to Nantes saw French riders take the stage and the yellow jersey.

In a day that saw the sprinters teams caught out with a four man breakaway staying away after forming at the one kilometres mark, French cycling fans cheered the day’s winner.

The first was Samuel Dumoulin (Cofidis) who attacked near the finish to beat fast finishing American William Frischkorn (Team Columbia) and Frenchman Romain Feillu (Agritubel) and the last rider in the 201km break Italy’s Paolo Borghini Longo (Barloworld).

The second was Feillu who was the highest placed rider overall classification before the break began under Frishkorn’s impulsion and ended his day in the saddle as the new overall race leader.

He deposed Spain’s overnight leader Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d’Epargne) who was in the first of three groups that followed at 2 minutes and 3 seconds.

Heading that group home, and following a crucial split in the chasing bunch which left two yellow jersey hopefuls behind, Australian Robbie McEwen beat Germany’s Erik Zabel to the line.

It was Zabel’s 38th birthday, and his Aussie rival wasn’t in the mood for charity but gave him a friendly pat on the back.

Valverde, one of the major favourites for overall victory with Evans, is now fourth overall at 1 minute and 45 seconds.

Meanwhile, at time of press Evans has dropped to ninth at 1 minute 46 seconds.

Overnight a 29km time trial was held ahead of the 230km flat stage between Cholet and Châteauroux which will take place this evening (AEST).

The tour wraps up in Paris on July 27 after 3554 km.