Laurent Jalabert

Laurent Jalabert, affectionately known as "Jaja," is a distinguished French former professional road racing cyclist who made his mark in the sport from nineteen eighty-nine to two thousand two. His career was highlighted by numerous victories in one-day and stage races, and he achieved the remarkable distinction of being ranked number one in the world in the years nineteen ninety-five, nineteen ninety-six, nineteen ninety-seven, and nineteen ninety-nine.

Despite never clinching the coveted Tour de France title, Jalabert's prowess was evident when he triumphed in the Vuelta a España in nineteen ninety-five. In that same race, he not only secured the leader's jersey but also claimed both the sprinter's and climber's jerseys, becoming only the third rider in history to accomplish this feat in a Grand Tour. His legacy is further cemented as one of only five riders, alongside legends like Eddy Merckx and Mark Cavendish, to have won the points classification in all three Grand Tours.

Jalabert's career was not without controversy; a French Senate investigation in two thousand thirteen confirmed his use of EPO during his time with notorious cycling teams in the nineteen nineties. Nevertheless, his contributions to the sport remain significant, and he is remembered as the last French winner of any of the three Grand Tours.