Tadej Pogacar is happy for his teammate Tim Wellens' victory, because in this way he has been repaid for all the commitment he has put into serving his captain. Pogacar is content with the rest day, his intention is to rest before facing the last and decisive week of the race. The Slovenian champion has a good margin over Vingegaard, 4'13", but he also knows that many things can happen in the mountain stages.

"I am very happy for Tim. I am happier about his victory than about one of my own. Today was incredible, I was listening on the radio while he was tackling those 45 kilometers resisting the chasing group, it was incredible. The way he raced today is exceptional. Hats off, he truly deserved it. I am more than happy."

In Carcassonne, Wellens won his first victory in the Grande Boucle and can also boast the triple crown for having won in all three grand tours. "Tim is one of the best teammates I have ever had. He sacrificed himself a lot for me, all year, even in the Classics. This is one of his favorite races. He always did everything to achieve his goals. Today he had his opportunity to win and he seized it on the fly and proved to be a champion." Pogacar is happy for his teammate, but knows he must remain focused, because Tuesday will mark the third and decisive week of the Tour. "I am very happy about the rest day. I can't wait to rest a bit, but not too much, because then there will be Mont Ventoux. It's quite clear that I want to keep the yellow jersey and bring it back to Paris. I know it will be tough, but I am ready to fight. Jonas looked very strong yesterday, but I am ready to fight."

Pogacar then, once again, questioned the strategy of Visma-Lease a Bike, considering their approach somewhat strange. "If I were Jonas, I wouldn't be the happiest tonight. He is second in the general classification and can obviously still win the Tour. Yesterday he showed excellent form. I understand that Visma also wants to win stages, but he can still win the Tour. So I wouldn't be happy in his place."

There was an important crash during the race, and regarding this, Pogacar admitted that he did not fully understand the strategy of the Dutch team. "After the crash, many riders in the general classification, including Jonas, had to get back into the group. Tim Wellens and I tried to slow down so they could return, but suddenly three Visma-Lease a Bike riders took the lead. First Wout Van Aert, then Victor Campenaerts and finally Matteo Jorgenson. I don't understand what they were thinking, it was a rather strange situation. I really didn't know what to think."

The race, after the rest day, will resume on Tuesday with Mont Ventoux and there will be an immediate battle. Then from Thursday to Saturday, there will be the final three days in the Alps, where the winner of the Tour de France will be decided.