Julien Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-Quick Step) kept the yellow of the leader's jersey at the first mountain finish of the Tour de France, Orsieres-Mellet, but the fact that he could not beat the surge to the line and missed the time bonus, he was in the same 2019 tone and highlighted that he did not have the strength and determination to contend for the overall win.

While French cycling fans and the partisan French media would prefer otherwise, Alaphilippe seems to know he lacks the dynamite that was in his legs and heart last year.

"I had two goals: winning the stage and defending the yellow jersey. I was able to keep the yellow, but I didn't win because I lost to a stronger rider," he sportily accepted.

"Of course I wanted to win and I tried, but the tempo was very, very fast on the last climb. But the tempo was very, very good on the last uphill.

Alaphilippe had a moment of brilliance when he attacked and won the second stage in Nice, but today the overall contenders, especially Primoš Roglic (Jumbo Visma), came out and showed the new world order in the peloton.

Roglic sprinted to the finish ahead of fellow Slovenian Tadej Pogachar (UAE Team Emirates), but was outmaneuvered. Guillaume Martin (Cofidis) and Nairo Quintana (Akeasamsic) finished third and fourth.

Alaphilippe, realizing he could not win, relaxed, and the lactic acid burned deep into his legs, missing the 4-second time bonus for third place.

He was still in yellow, but Adam Yates (Mitchelton Scott) and Roglic moved into third place by four and seven seconds, respectively. Pogachar moved up to fourth overall by 11 seconds with a 6-second time bonus.

"As I said, the objective is not to win the Tour de France, but to chase stage wins. I am very proud to be wearing the yellow jersey, but the plan remains the same," Alaphilippe insisted.

"It was a very hard stage. I want to thank my team. They worked very hard today and controlled the race until the foot of the last climb. But I don't want to ruin the team and I'm not here to control the race for three weeks. I'm just happy to be in yellow again tomorrow."

Last year, Alaphilippe was under a lot of pressure and expectations. This year, he seems to be enjoying and savoring every minute of it. He had not won a race since last year's Tour de France until Sunday, and even that monkey was thrown off his bike in Nice.

"It's always special to wear yellow, but it's completely different from last year. I'm more relaxed than last year.

"I was missing the championship, but I won and I got the yellow. But as I always say, I'm taking it one day at a time. I'm proud to wear the yellow jersey, but it's not the end of the world if I lose it."

Some thought Alaphilippe was bluffing, but the finish by Orcier-Mellet showed otherwise. Alaphilippe will win a Grand Tour one day. With the support of a strong team and a route that suits him. Since he has neither this year, he and his Dečuninck-Quick-Step team are realistic and honest.

"Julien is not yet a Grand Tour rider and has never won a Grand Tour.

"Julien likes to win races and GC riders don't do that. His personality uses a lot of energy every day, so it's not easy to calm him down."

"I'm not saying it's impossible to win a Grand Tour, but he won't be riding to win this Tour.