Tadej Pogachar (UAE Team Emirates), who made his shocking Grand Tour debut at last year's Vuelta a España, did not lose his nerve or his best condition in the far bigger stages of the Tour de France this Tuesday, as he took the race's first major summit finish to finish second behind Primoš Roglic (Jumbo Visma).

Last September in Spain, Pogachar won three mountains in Andorra, Cantabria, and western Madrid.

But his finish on the first stage of the Tour this past Tuesday, when he finished just ahead of Roglic while consolidating fourth place overall, must have made many of his more experienced rivals sign on without hesitation at the Orcières Mérette.

In the process, the young Slovenian has vaulted to the top of the Tour's young rider awards, having won the Vuelta outright last year. Now, just 12 months later, Pogachar is once again in an impressive high position in the Grand Tours.

"I am really happy to wear the white jersey in the Tour. After the finish, I didn't know if I had taken the jersey," Pogachar said after the finish. The white jersey at the Vuelta was special, but this time it's even better."

"Today's stage wasn't too hard, but the last part was full of gas. Primoz was a little faster than me in the final, but I'm happy with the result."

UAE Team Emirates, with Alexander Kristoff, is already on a roll after winning the opening stage of the Tour.

"The team is good. David de la Cruz is still recovering from his crash, but he is getting better. Everyone is very motivated," Pogachar noted.

And no matter what Pogachar accomplishes this fall, the team knows they have time for him and themselves. He is only 21 and will turn 22 the day after the Tour ends in Paris on September 20.