Visma-Lease a Bike used Matteo Jorgenson to set the pace on the penultimate climb, then linked up with Victor Campenaerts, who was also in the attack of the day, to help Yates and be there as a so-called 'satellite' rider. They were tactical moves rather than all-out attacks on Pogačar.

The Tour de France riders face a stern test as the 112th edition of the race enters the Massif Central for the 10th stage on Monday, with 4,450 metres of climbing awaiting them.

British rider Simon Yates won the first mountainous stage of the Tour de France on Monday and Irish rider Ben Healy was consoled by taking the yellow jersey. Healy was nominated the most combative rider of the day after forcing the initiative on the 10th stage,