Immediately after Tadej Pogachar (UAE Team Emirates) crossed the finish line after winning stage 9 of the Tour de France, Primoš Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) was the first to congratulate him. It was the young Slovenian's first stage victory at the Tour, and he took the yellow jersey despite finishing second.

Despite their bromance, Pogachar insisted at Monday's rest day press conference that their relationship is quite different when it comes to racing. If it comes to the Tour de France where he's directly competing with Roglic for the overall or a stage, then so be it," Pogachar said.

"This is a race. Of course we respect each other, but no one is going to wait for someone else," Pogachar, currently seventh overall, told reporters. This is a competition, and everybody wants to win."

Pogachar now refuses to put a ceiling on his ambitions, even if it means going against Roglic. What is perhaps surprising about Pogachal at this point, however, is his ability to deal with the nerves of a novice in a race.

"Stress is a big factor, but so is everyday life," he replied matter-of-factly when asked about his composure under the pressure of the Tour de France. Thanks to my parents, I'm coping pretty well."

During the Tour, Pogachar is working with team captain Marco Marcato. He added, "Alexander [Kristoff] is also with me when things get tough.

Tomorrow's 10th stage of the Tour is a highly exposed course along the western coast of France. He is confident, but added, "It will be a hard stage, maybe complicated, but maybe with a different wind than last week.

Pogachar made his breakthrough at last year's Vuelta a España, finishing third overall.

Roglic was first overall, and the two were visibly pleased with each other's success, but he says the Tour is "the biggest ever," so the Vuelta is only a reference point for him.

"The Tour is harder, more stressful and more confusing.

"I'm surprised how well I'm doing here. I knew I was at a really good level, but I didn't expect to win.

He won on Sunday, but it remains to be seen how Pogachar will fare in the future.

Nevertheless, a good performance in the third week of the Vuelta is not a problem. Last September in Spain, he dominated all the riders until the final summit finish, where he broke away alone 30 km from the finish. Rogic will not have forgotten that.