Egan Bernal (Ineos Grenadiers) may not be the favorite or the most impressive rider in the mountains at this point in the Tour de France, but only a fool would write off the defending champion at this point.

Despite back problems and daily questions about the team's and his own form, the Tour has entered its first rest day and the Colombian is in second place overall. A tough test awaits him in the Alps, but Bernal is in perfect position, in second place, just 21 seconds behind Primoz Roglic in the yellow jersey.

He and his team are not responsible for controlling the race over the next week.

On the first rest day of this year's Tour, Bernal and his team had the rare opportunity not to hold a press conference in a social setting or even online like many of his rivals. Still, the 23-year-old Bernal expressed his feelings when asked by a trusted press representative whether he would have finished second overall at this point when he left Nice a week ago.

"It's certainly the biggest race in the world, with some of the best athletes in the world, and to be second is a big deal for us. We need to fight for the win, but at the moment we should be happy with where we are," Bernal said.

Bernal visibly dug deep during the race. He was separated from his rivals at times during the two stages in the Pyrenees, but he reeled them in on stage 8 and then moved up slightly on the climb of the Marie Blanquet pass the next day.

Ineos Grenadier was not strong in the first week, but was in the same position in last year's race. For Bernal, this is a long-term race, and if he can make it to the top in Paris, the struggles of the Criterium du Dauphiné and the early stages of the Tour will soon be forgotten. Roglic and the Jumbo-Visma team do not have a significant lead over the defending champions.

"I think it was a good race for us. We're in second place, just a few seconds behind Roglic, and we have a really hard race ahead of us. I'm happy with the team's performance so far, it's a 21-day race and we have to be careful with our efforts," said Bernal, who was leading the Best Young Athlete award on the rest day.

"I think I'm in good control and now I just have to wait for my chance. I'm trying to do what's best for me and so far I'm feeling good.

Before reaching further mountains, the peloton will have to tackle the crosswinds expected on stage 10 from Ile d'Oléron-Chateau d'Oléron to Ile de Saint-Martin d'Olé.

Bernal, however, does not appear to be upset. All the teams know it will be a hard race tomorrow. Every team knows it's going to be a difficult race tomorrow. I have the best team for a stage like this."