Right now, the rider by his side wasn't his team leader, Roglič, but Evenepoel.
Then, as Adam Yates furiously picked up the pace out of the saddle on the climb, and the gradient kicked up to 14, 15, 17, and finally the steepest section at 20%, yesterday's stage winner and current Yellow Jersey holder, Romain Bardet, was dropped, along with a host of other team leaders, including Roglič.
But Huang Chong, still seated, managed to stay glued to the wheels of Vingegaard and Pogačar, who were also climbing in the saddle.
'I feel like if this 20% climb goes on any longer, I won't be able to hang on.'
But the steep ramp was short, after all.
The gradient began to ease. After a bend, it quickly fell from 20% to around 10%.
But just then, before anyone could recover from the steep ramp, Pogačar launched an attack, jumping out of his saddle.
"Tadej has finally launched his attack!!
Jonas and Huang Chong are right on his wheel!!!
Good God, they're finally making their moves!
