TOUR DE FRANCE : Jalabert Trades Hospital Gown for Yellow Jersey

Exactly one year after falling and being forced to drop out of the Tour de France, Laurent Jalabert gained the overall lead Monday.

Jalabert took over from Jacky Durand in the overall standings with the help of bonus seconds in sprints.

Favorite Miguel Indurain, seeking his fifth consecutive Tour victory, was 22nd for the stage and 15th overall, only 34 seconds from the lead.

Last year, Jalabert took a hard fall during a sprint finish in the first stage at Chaussee Armentieres. He suffered severe facial injuries, and he missed the remainder of the season.

“It was a symbolic anniversary,” Jalabert said. “Last year I was in the hospital.”

Mario Cipollini won the second stage in a sprint finish. Cipollini edged another Italian, Giovanni Lombardi, with Djamolidine Abdoujaparov of Uzbekistan third in the second stage of 146 miles, from Perros Guirec to Vitre.

Fabio Baldato of Italy, winner of Sunday’s first stage, was fourth.

Jalabert, runner-up to Baldato in the first stage, finished seventh and has a five-second lead over Laurent Brochard, as Frenchmen held the first five places.

Durand, who led after Saturday’s prologue, dropped to fourth. Durand was France’s national champion in 1993 and 1994. This year’s champion, Eddy Seigneur, dropped out of the stage in the 50th mile because of knee problems.

Today is the team time trial, from Mayenne to Alencon, 41.6 miles.