PLATEAU-DE-BEILLE, France -- Veteran Frenchman Laurent Jalabert proved once again that he was still one of the best riders in the bunch during the 12th stage of the Tour de France.

"He doesn't have the mentality of a pensioner," said three-time Tour champion Lance Armstrong, who won the stage after a long solo ride from the 33-year-old Frenchman during the first climbs of the day.

"He's a great professional. He's a legend," the American added.

For the second successive day, Armstrong had the final say but Jalabert launched the debate, reaching three of the day's five climbs in the lead.

In all, Jalabert, who will retire at the end of the season, has won five of the eight second to super category climbs of the Tour so far.

Armstrong admitted Jalabert deserved a better fate after beating him to the finish in the last two stages. Jalabert finished the 12th stage in 49th , over 11 minutes behind Armstrong.

"It's a shame and he deserves to win a stage. But as I told him yesterday, we had no choice, we're here to win the yellow jersey and we had to ride as fast as possible until the classification is really set," Armstrong said.

The Texan added that he thought it was a pity Jalabert was going to call it quits.

"The thing that I can't get over, is that somebody who is going to retire rides like he does," Armstrong said. "Other riders would take it easy and relax at the back of the pack. But he has such a mentality of a fighter.

"Everyday he's going to attack, that's what made him Laurent Jalabert for the past 10 or 12 years," Armstrong added.

Jalabert said he was enjoying his last Tour a lot and was hoping to win his second king of the mountains jersey after the one he took to Paris last year.

"I'm very happy about my Pyrenees. It's very near home here and I consider them to be my mountains," Jalabert said. "I've had two fantastic days. But it's my last Pyrenees and I'm glad I passed them well."

The Frenchman said he had planned to attack in the first climbs to score as many points as possible for the mountains classification, which he leads with 142 points to Armstrong's 84.

"I'm very happy. Everything took place the way I planned. My aim was twofold, to earn points for the polka-dot jersey in the first climbs and to lose time in the last climb to have more freedom to attack in the next stages," Jalabert said.

Jalabert finished the climb to the Plateau-de-Beille at a quiet pace, receiving pats on his shoulders from other riders while the crowds cheered him on.

"The last climb was a real thrill with the ovation from the public and the riders," said Jalabert. "It was fantastic."