the tour de france again opted for national rather than sponsored teams. aimar chose to lead the french 'b' team rather than be a support rider in the 'a' team. he finished seventh, coming second behind roger pingeon on stage two, in the chartreuse. the same two riders broke away in the national championship on a demanding circuit at aubenas (ardèche). aimar beat him in the sprint, collecting the blue, white and red jersey of national champion that he had refused to wear the previous year in solidarity with désiré letort.