in the ninth stage of the 2011 tour de france, voeckler crossed the line second, taking the overall lead and therefore wearing the "maillot jaune" (yellow jersey). he kept the yellow jersey for 9 stages, but lost it on stage 19. voeckler finished the tour in fourth place 3min 20sec behind the winner, cadel evans. this is his best career placement in the tour so far. it was the best finish of any frenchman in the tour since christophe moreau came fourth in 2000.