Another day, another yellow jersey. After a chaotic stage of the Tour de France, Britain's Adam Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) sounded more phlegmatic than usual in his post-stage comments, claiming that "there were only a few key moments when you had to take positions."

Yates braved the crosswind to finish ninth, three seconds ahead of Primoš Roglic (Jumbo Visma).

He reasoned that even if he was alone in the lead group of about 40 riders in the finale, it was because his teammate Mitchelton Scott "spent a lot of energy just to keep me there."

The Brit is now looking forward to entering his signature mountain course in the overall lead.

"There were only a few key moments when I had to hold my position. Everyone supported me perfectly."

"The next two days will be pretty tough. But Bora-Hansgrohe had other ideas and we were on full throttle from start to finish.

In a press release, Mitchelton Scott team director Matt White admitted that it was a mistake by the racers that isolated Yates in the finals. Without support, as Richard Kalapas (Ineos Grenadiers), who had a strong backup in Jonathan Castroviejo but still lost time, discovered, a flat tire or mechanical problem could have cost him dearly.

"Adam was well protected until the split caused by Ineos. They caught several GC players in the city and tore up the roundabout."

White agreed with Yates, "It wasn't the wind, it was just the speed.

As for what could happen in the next two crucial mountain stages, White argued that an early breakaway group could form, depending on whether or not the teams let go of the yellow jersey. He suggested that Mitchelton-Scott could go for the long haul and move the yellow jersey elsewhere.

He predicted that the first hour would be an "incredibly active" race until "something happens," and said that "the big question is whether the teams are ready to take the jersey for the weekend."