Ben O'CONNOR. 10 out of 10. He pulls off a move, something he's used to doing, because he has the head for it, because he has people in the support car who know how to do it (they did it with Chris Harper at the Giro, Sestriere stage). After Tignes, here comes Col de La Loze. Brilliant, absolutely brilliant from the 29-year-old Jayco AlUla Australian to seize the moment, to understand that this is the right time to try to get ahead, when an incomprehensible dance begins behind him. He does what a rider must do: use his head and legs. Behind him are too many riders with good legs who stop there. He pedals with gusto and takes home his second Tour stage, adding to those from the Giro and Vuelta. Eleventh career victory for the rider from Brent Copeland, for the vice-world champion, who today managed to leave the world champion behind.

Tadej POGACAR. 10. Calm, reflective, lucid and timely: he decides to switch to defense mode and in the end gets exactly what he wanted. Perhaps he was thinking about the stage, but only if they would take him there, as Matxin is used to saying. Since he's able to gain even more on his direct rival, he does so, once again demonstrating who has more. He doesn't act like a dictator or a cannibal, simply limits himself to being the King.

Joans VINGEGAARD. 4. His first attack comes 71 km from the finish, on the Madeleine. Pedaling away, the other responds while seated. Both catch Primoz Roglic and Felix Gall, Thymen Aresman and Matteo Jorgenson, Ben O'Connor and Einer Rubio. Then the descent. And in the twenty-odd kilometers leading to the foot of the final decisive climb, a masterpiece happens. Jorgenson and Vingegaard don't pull, incomprehensibly Roglic doesn't pull either, nor Gall. Instead, Jorgenson then enters a two-man breakaway, absolute delirium. Vingegaard seems to have decent legs, but in terms of personality, he simply leaves one stunned. Who knows what they're telling him on the radio: at Visma, given the results, it's better to remove it. He says: "I'm fine, the Tour isn't over". At this pace, he'll say the same in Paris.

Oscar ONLEY. 9. Prodigious. He saves himself like an old fox, also thanks to those old Visma foxes who after making a selection and putting everyone in a corner, ensure everyone returns, including this Scottish boy who's having a Turbo-Tour. Brave, very brave. Finishes 4th in the big stage: impressive stuff.

Einer RUBIO. 7. Movistar tries to give meaning to their entire Tour in the stage that could truly rewrite a story. Finishes 5th, a reward for so much suffering, a small broth after days of fasting.

Felix GALL. 6.5. He could have done more damage, but in the end defends his position.

Primoz ROGLIC. 5.5. He struggles a lot, seems in difficulty at various points, but the man who doesn't jump, doesn't jump. He could jump to 4th in the general classification, but in the long valley section, he doesn't pull a meter, accepting the sickening dance of a group of riders who seem to want to spite the yellow jersey: today you won't win. Indeed, he doesn't win. He'll win on Sunday.

Adam YATES. 8. The twin once again demonstrates how to race, without getting agitated, with calm and lucidity.

Tobias JOHANNESSEN. 7. The Norwegian knows there's little room for joking today, and indeed doesn't get caught off guard and defends his top ten with his teeth.

Florian LIPOWITZ. 6. He throws himself into the washing machine and comes out of the spin cycle of an unforgettable day with his bones adjusted and his white shirt pristine. He's still third.

Kevin VAUQUELIN. 6. At one point he's far behind, if those ahead hadn't decided to stop and bring everyone back. Not great, but could have been worse.

Ben HEALY. 5. He's a pure climber, and in a stage like this, I would have expected more.

Matteo JORGENSON. 2. The vote isn't for the American rider, who is indeed paid, but since he's not a child and is 26 years old, he could also manage himself a bit. Nothing, he enters the three-man breakaway with O'Connor and Rubio and not satisfied, he even collaborates. Then when the captain is almost 4 minutes behind, he's stopped but he not only slows down, he almost immediately drops out because he's exhausted. Tactical masterpiece. Everyone's brilliant. Sincere applause.

Nils POLITT. 8. Grits his teeth, shows them in all their splendor, illuminates the Col du Glandon, doing everything at the front, setting the pace for the yellow jersey group. Then comes the Col de la Madeleine and Nils steps on the accelerator: well done!

Jonathan MILAN. 8. Today he had two objectives: win the intermediate sprint at Rioupéroux (2nd Girmay, 3rd Turgis) and bring home his skin. Mission accomplished. Now his advantage over Pogacar is 75 points. There's still a lot of work to do.

Enric MAS. 17. Goes on the attack, tries to change the course of his very deficient Tour, but the French race changes his plans: he stops, exhausted. End.