The multi-ramped 13.5km ski station climb has hosted some barnstormer yellow jersey battles, most recently when Vingegaard and Wout van Aert turned the screw on Pogačar to romp to a victory that sealed the Dane’s first Tour de France win.

Tim Wellens’ Tour de France had been excellent but understated. The Belgian national champion is arguably Pogacar’s most important domestique — both a rouleur who looks after the yellow jersey on the flat, and a strong enough climber to set a punishing initial pace at the base of climbs.

One day after crashing, the 3-time champion powers through the Pyrenees to overtake Ben Healy and put himself 3½ minutes of main rival Jonas Vingegaard.