Simon YATES. 10 and praise. Attack race, from the morning, from the first moments and no one beats him. Too cunning, too experienced for everyone: the professor lets things happen, then doesn't ask questions, but decides to show how it's done. He's already done it at the Giro, breaking the bank, today he takes the podium and calmly reviews what he does best. Wins for the team, which needs positive signals. Wins for his captain Vingegaard, as an additional captain. Wins for himself, for the third time at the Grande Boucle. Wins in the Central Massif, where extinct volcanoes rumble, somewhat like Visma, ready to explode.

Thymen ARENSMAN. 9. The 25-year-old Dutch Ineos rider loses by a handful of seconds, but can do nothing against a Simon in professorial mode. The British rider teaches cycling, the Dutchman today doesn't lose: he learns.

Ben HEALY. 8. After the Vire Normandie stage, here comes the yellow jersey. Great coup for the 24-year-old Irish climber, who crowns a day of attack with the symbol of the world's most prestigious race. He could gain even more, pocket more seconds if he just thought about finding some alliances, but the EF rider, despite wearing the jersey of a prestigious world school, still has some lessons to learn.

Ben O'CONNOR. 7. For the Jayco AlUla Australian, the recovery operation begins. The goal of Brent Copeland's rider is at least a top ten finish. Today he takes home a fourth place and the awareness that his legs are there.

Michael STORER. 7. A bit more pink and Italian at the Tour. Winner of the Tota, tenth place in the general classification at the Giro, today he throws himself into the fray and confirms he has the skills and attitudes to fight for a stage win even here.

Lenny MARTINEZ. 8. A day of attack, with a single great objective: wearing the polka dot jersey. Mission accomplished. Now the 22-year-old Bahrain Victorious rider leads the classification with 27 points and precedes Healy, who is behind with 16 points.

Tadej POGACAR. 6.5. Lots of effort, lots of work and a final attack that drops everyone, except Vingegaard.

Jonas VINGEGAARD. 6.5. Does just right, and what he does, he does perfectly. I continue to see him very well, with a pedaling ease that impresses me. Tadej attacks in his face, he responds without blinking, with absolute ease, so much so that the Slovenian won't try again. Small detail: everyone else behind them is scattered.

Remco EVENEPOEL. 6. In the end, he returns with the best and pays few seconds, but when those two attack, he remains among the ordinary mortals.

Primoz ROGLIC. 6. Not seen too much, but he is seen and is there. Lets them do their thing, he slyly continues to defend without being attacked. He knows that Tadej and Jonas are from another planet, but he keeps his feet on the ground.

Oscar ONLEY. 6.5. The Picnic youngster struggles, but he's not here for a pleasure trip and shows it today. Tough as few others.

Kevin VAUQUELIN. 5.5. Among the classification men, he loses the most positions (3). He defends himself, does what he can: on the day of the French, Kevin does everything not to be beaten.

Matthias SKJELMOSE. 5. The 24-year-old Dane experiences a very particular and difficult day. He loses 5 positions in one go and for now drops out of the top ten.