The Tour de France's return to the Puy de Dome after 35 years may not have produced the classic GC battles of yesteryear, such as the 1964 battle between Raymond Pridor and Jacques Anquetil.

But even without a classic GC battle or a major discovery on the volcano towering over Clermont-Ferrand, a new page was added to the Jonas Vingegaard vs. Tadei Pogachar battle.

Four days earlier in Laruns, the Slovenian, who had built an 11-bonus-second lead early on, was almost dead in the battle for the maillot jaune, losing by as much as 1:04.

And now the two-time Tour winner, who successfully fought back 24 hours later in Hautelet and here in Puy de Dome, enters Monday's first rest day 17 seconds behind the champion.

"It's not a victory, but it's a small victory, so I'm very happy today," Pogachar said after the stage.

"It was a very good day. I was very relaxed until the last climb. I waited for the last 1.5km just in case, but I had good legs."

Pogachar did indeed accelerate from a GC contender group of just five riders into the double-digit steepness at 1,500 meters from the start of the climb, setting up a battle between the two in the final.

Pogachar could not completely beat Vingegaard, but the gap widened by a meter in the last kilometer and toward the finish. Pogachar's advantage at the finish line may not have been enough to take back the yellow jersey, but he was gaining momentum as the race entered a rest day.

"I have to say it was fun," Pogachar said of the climb.

"I was a little scared because everyone told me it was steep and tough, but today I was flying uphill, so it didn't really feel that steep."

Mauro Gianetti, team representative for UAE Team Emirates, gave his opinion on the events of the stage on the team bus on the way down after the stage. He told the waiting media that "every second counts" in the Tour contenders and that he was pleased with the result, given that stage 9 might have been more suitable for Vingegaard than his charge.

"It could have been a more convenient stage for Vingegaard. 'At the end of the day I took eight seconds. It's not a lot, but I think every second counts, so it's important to get those few seconds."

"I think it's a great sport and we have two great champions. That's what everyone is hoping for. I hope we see more of this battle in the next few weeks, and I hope we do."

"I think it's a great sport, and it's important that we have two great champions.

Despite the fightback in Cautaret and Puy de Dome, Jumbo-Visma and Vingegaard are still in control of the yellow jersey, albeit seemingly slipping on each mountain stage of the race.

Gianetti said that despite the pressure on the Dutch team, he and his team would rather be in Vingegaard's situation than continue to fight from behind.

"When we have the yellow, it's because we are strong and in front. I'm ready to take responsibility, I want to be in first place, but we're where we are and we still want it."

Adam Yates, formerly of the yellow jersey and currently fifth in GC, finished just over a minute behind the team leader. The Brit reiterated Gianetti's point that every second counts, adding that he and his team will take it "one day at a time" during the rest of the Tour.

"Every second counts for three weeks," Yates said after the stage. Tadej was strong today and could have taken some seconds."

"The climb was very steep, there was no wind, and it was very hot, but we handled it well as a team. Taddej took some seconds, so it was all good.

"We are taking it one day at a time. There were days when I lost time, but I did well to regroup and not waste energy. We need rest days."

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