In the second Alpine stage Sepp Kuss went on the attack again. He was not the only one, because almost half a peloton of attackers separated themselves. In the end he was able to help Vingegaard. Ben O’Connor won the day’s stage and finished off a solo effort from an early breakaway.

On the climb to Tignes Vingegaard, the current wearer of the white jersey, followed the other riders well and parried several attacks. Vingegaard and the yellow jersey rider Tadej Pogacar finished just under half a minute later than the other riders in the general classification.

Richard Plugge is reviewing the situation on the eve of the first rest day. “I look back on the first week with sadness because of the loss of Primoz and Robert. We lost a super-domestique and our leader. That is very painful.”

On the other hand, with Vingegaard a talent has emerged. “It is very nice to see Jonas at work. He just holds his own in the battles between the GC men. It means we are doing a good job with regard to the future. In the Giro you saw that happen with Tobias Foss, for example. We also have to stay realistic. It is only his second big tour and Jonas is still young. He has to learn a lot here and enjoy when and where he can”, the team director said.

“We have turned the switch; I look forward with confidence”, Plugge continued. “We will try to win as many prizes as possible and to finish as high as possible in the general classification. We also have a strong block to bring Jonas’s classification to a good end. Showing ourselves to the world is what we came for and we are still going for it.”

Behind the scenes, Plugge is also continuing to work on a new plan to promote safety. “There are still good discussions going on with all those involved. I said that last year too, but the process takes time and it has been delayed as well. That is regrettable, but everyone has now realised the importance of this. A radical and very urgent change is needed. In cooperation with several parties, we will come up with a plan that everyone can support. It is hoped that this plan can be implemented next year.”