Yesterday with the finish at Superbagneres, the general classification didn't change, but Vingegaard is showing all his climbing prowess and Pogacar ultimately decided not to try winning the last Pyrenean stage. In the general classification, the gaps changed little and the Dane continues to be in second place with a 4'13" deficit, followed by Lipowitz in third at over 7 minutes.

"A bit like in Peyragudes, I can truly be happy with how my legs are feeling. Overall, it was probably one of the toughest mountain stages I've ever done. It was a difficult day, I believe, for everyone. So, delivering that performance at the end of such a day is obviously nice."

Vingegaard was aiming for the stage win, but Arensman was faster: the Dane and Pogacar battled for second and third place in a two-man sprint, with Gall and Lipowitz arriving a bit further back. "Fundamentally, the plan was to win the stage. The team worked really well and it would have been nice if one of my teammates had won."

Arensman felt the breath of his pursuers on his neck, but he managed to resist even on the final climb and secured his first Tour victory.

"Arensman up front did a good job. Really a good performance, so congratulations to him, he deserved to win."

Vingegaard thought UAE Emirates would try to win yesterday, but when he saw this wasn't happening, he decided to push hard to try and conquer the Superbagneres finish line.

"Actually, I didn't expect to approach the final climb like this, because in the penultimate climb the others accelerated as if they wanted to target the stage and I thought they would attack in the last climb, then when I understood that probably wouldn't happen, I decided to do it myself."

The stage was tough from start to finish and today the GC men on paper could rest in the stage ending in Carcassonne, although at the Tour surprises are never lacking and tomorrow there will finally be a rest day."