Top 10 rivals smell blood in the Tour de France: The fatigue is written on their faces

Johannessen managed to slip into the day’s breakaway, which temporarily elevated him to a virtual third place in the general classification. But the Norwegian was ultimately reeled in by the relentless pace set by UAE Emirates-XRG all day, with Nils Politt leading the charge in pursuit of the escapees.

On the Peyresourde, Johannessen had to let stage winner Thymen Arensman (INEOS Grenadiers) go. He was eventually caught by the other GC contenders on the final climb, but still finished a solid ninth on the stage, retaining his position in eighth overall.

“Our plan was to stay with the other GC riders, but the opportunity came, and we grabbed it with both hands,” he said afterward. “Unfortunately, we didn’t get as much freedom as we’d hoped and got pulled back, but we fought for our place, and we can be proud of that.”

Felix Gall was the first to attack on the final climb and he reaped the benefits. The Austrian moved ahead of Johannessen to climb into seventh place overall and finished fourth on the stage. “I also considered getting into the breakaway, but in the end, staying with the peloton was the right call,” he said.

“I took a calculated risk with my attack on the final climb. It turned out to be the right decision, because UAE weren’t going full-full gas like they normally do,” the climber explained. “I saw a chance to gain some time on the other GC contenders. This was my best day of the Tour so far, and that’s a great feeling heading into the final week.”

“The team did a fantastic job, with Callum Scotson doing a lot of work up front,” added Gall, who still hopes to move up in the standings. “You can feel the fatigue setting in across the peloton. It’s no longer as crazy as it was in the opening days.”