Cyclist Voeckler to race horse and jockey

French Tour de France hero Thomas Voeckler is set to pit his cycling skills against horse and jockey at a race course in Sables d'Olonne next week, it was announced Thursday. Voeckler, who rides for Europcar, had the hosts of the world's premier cycling event dreaming of a first home winner since Bernard Hinault in 1985 when he spent 10 days in the yellow jersey last month. In the end the former French champion finished a commendable fourth overall, and nearly three weeks later he is still riding a wave of popular support that will see him take on top French jockey Eric Raffin on Wednesday August 17. Such challenges between horses and cyclists are not uncommon, although Voeckler will have the benefit of racing on an asphalt track which has been built parallel to the grass at the race course. Voeckler's success at the Tour de France proved a huge commercial boost to his team sponsor Europcar, and the regional authorities in the Vendee -- where the Frenchman learned his trade after moving to France from the Carribean -- have launched a "Thomas, the Vendean people want to say thank you!" poster campaign.