Tadej POGACAR. 10 with honors. He erases the shame of two years ago, when the world champion lost in a sprint to rival Jonas Vingegaard. The Slovenian claims he doesn't care about history and statistics, but there isn't a day that goes by when he doesn't update both. In the end he says it himself: "I had this appointment in mind for a while, ever since Jonas beat me and I honored the taking of the Bastille by winning in the yellow jersey". On Bastille Day, the world champion takes center stage with yet another masterclass. He doesn't shred the race, doesn't destroy it, but stuns it with another devastating blow. For the world champion it's his 24th stage win in his career, his 33rd in Grand Tours, 124th overall (16th this season). For him today marks his 60th day in yellow, matching Miguel Indurain, with only Bernard Hinault (79) and Eddy Merckx (111) ahead of him. But knowing him, he still has a few more pages of history and statistics to rewrite.

Remco EVENEPOEL. 9. He wobbles but doesn't give up. His head is harder than concrete and even when he seems destined to drift away, he always finds the strength to climb back up. He fights against everything and everyone with the grit of a champion, proving once again that the leader's role at Red Bull is his to keep. He gets dropped, comes back, and then sprints with furious speed. He wins the sprint decisively and finishes behind the phenomenon. But you have to acknowledge that he's no joke either.

Paul SEIXAS. 9. He's always there, with the best, confirming he's no intruder but a worthy representative of a category: those born ready. For all those who turn their noses up at him being too young to be here, just remember that he chose to be here. And when a rider feels he can do something, you simply have to support him. Because theory is followed by practice and "le petit garçon" already seems very practical to us.

Jonas VINGEGAARD. 5. It's true: never go back to where you were happy. Today the Dane has to swallow another bitter pill. Yet another devastating blow from the Slovenian. After two years, here comes the revenge that hasn't been served cold, because the climate is scorching. He goes into it boiling, but despite this, he still shows confidence. "The longer climbs will come". Sure, they will: let's hope he's in the condition—to quote Pantani—to shorten the agony.

Florian LIPOWITZ. 7. He doesn't waste pedal strokes: he's there. He doesn't wobble and doesn't give up.

Juan AYUSO. 7.5. He races at the front and stays there. He doesn't have sudden attacks, but no collapses either. Concrete as few are, tenacious as very few are. The Bull has his bad day, and Ayuso takes advantage, dressing himself in white.

Mattias SKJELMOSE. 7.5. He faithfully escorts his captain Ayuso with great effectiveness. They form a single block and don't separate even in the standings: both remain in the top ten.

Isaac DEL TORO. 5. He boils over and loses seconds and his jersey. He slides off the podium. A nasty tumble, but he's still in the saddle.

Tom PIDCOCK. 6.5. He hits the ground, but the Brit doesn't lose heart and doesn't lose much time either. He's still in the thick of the race and managing that today was far from simple. He gains three positions in the general classification: now he's 10th.

Lenny MARTINEZ. 6.5. He knows his limits perfectly and today too he tries to go a little further.

Richard CARAPAZ. 7. He doesn't collect anything, but in a Tour of giants, he's no dwarf. He tries with courage and for that alone, he deserves all our applause. Even defeats have different flavors.

Davide PIGANZOLI. 7. He escorts his captain brilliantly, then doesn't let himself go, controls his comeback and recovers a couple of positions in the general classification: now he's 13th.

Javier ROMO. 7.5. The Movistar man stays at the front for a long time with Harold Tejada (XDS Astana): racing like tough men, then at 72 km from the finish, he's alone: crazy stuff. Worthy of applause.

Matteo TRENTIN. 1/7. Fever stops him and he's forced to head home. A Tour of suffering, in a scorching climate: difficult for anyone to "recover" in such conditions.