In 1962 , he became the first Briton to wear the maillot jaune ( the jersey of the leader of the Tour de France ) and eventually finished 6th overall . That was highest final placing by a Briton until Robert Millar was fourth in 1984 ) . In 1962 , he became first Briton to wear the maillot jaune as leader of the Tour de France ( after stage 12 ) and finished sixth overall ( his highest placing and the best by a Briton until Robert Millar 's fourth in 1984 , and later Bradley Wiggins ' fourth in 2009 ) , losing third spot after a crash .