Cofidis team leader Guillaume Martin enters Monday, the first rest day of the 2020 Tour de France, in third place overall, 28 seconds behind new race leader Primoš Roglic (Jumbo Visma). With more than half of this year's Grand Boucle still to be held, the big question is whether he can hold his podium position all the way to Paris.

The 27-year-old Frenchman came into this year's Tour with the goal of winning a stage and improving on his 12th place overall finish last year. However, stage wins were put on the back burner and defending his overall position was a priority.

Martin held on to third place on GC in Friday's dramatic stage 7, 1:21 ahead of UAE Team Emirates' Tadej Pogachar.

Martin held that position through Saturday's stage 8, but in the top 10 after Sunday's stage 9, race leader Adam Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) dropped to 8th, with Pogachar gaining time to move up to 7th, Defending champion Egan Bernal (Ineos Grenadiers) moved up three places, passing Martin to take second, and Roglic replaced Yates as GC leader.

And after working hard in the second road group to catch stage winner Pogachar, Roglic, the day's breakaway hero Marc Hirsch (Sunweb), Bernal, and Bahrain McLaren's Mikel Landa, Martin held off losses and finished seventh, 11 seconds behind He crossed the finish line to defend his third place overall.

"It's a great result, especially since I don't have the mindset of fighting to win the Tour de France," said Martin. It was a very fast ride all day and I paid attention to my speed. At the top of the Col de Marie Blanc, I was able to stay with the top guys, and then to finish 11 seconds ahead of some very classy guys that I trust is a great performance."

While 28 seconds behind Roglic's lead, Martin was only 7 seconds behind Bernal in second place, while Martin's compatriot Romain Bardet (AG2R La Mondiale) was 2 seconds back in fourth.

"This Tour isn't over yet," said Bardet. For now, it's a success for me and my rhythm is very good. I have to hold on for two more weeks and a lot can still happen."

"No easy days yet. First I want to rest, evaluate [the races so far] in detail, and come back next week with the same passion and motivation as before."