Nielson Powles (EF Education-Easy Post) reclaimed the polka-dot jersey one day after falling from the lead in the mountains at the Tour de France. Nielson Powles (EF Education-Easy Post) made an early breakaway and took maximum points on the Côte de Capvern-les-Bains and Col d'Aspin to take the lead ahead of Felix Gall (AG2R Citroën).

"I got a taste of how easy it is to lose," Paules said of the standout jersey. Now I just want to enjoy every moment of it while I have the jersey."

Paules led the Tour de France's mountain classification from the first stage, when he scored five points on the summit of the Côte de Vivero, and extended his lead on the second and third stages with a breakaway. He carried 18 points into the fifth stage, but Gahl succeeded in his breakaway and took 20 points on the out-of-category Col de Sudet.

On the second mountainous stage in the Pyrenees, Paules was not in the first escape group, but he fought hard to break away, knowing he had enough points to regain the lead on stage 6, the Cautaret-Cambasque.

"Today was really, really hard. It was very painful," said Powles. "From the beginning I knew the move was dangerous and it was a good chance to take some points so I could pass with the rest of the field. But it took me about 10 to 15 kilometers, so I just kept giving it my all and trying to get as many points as I could."

Paules, along with Ruben Guerreiro (Movistar), Anthony Perez (Cofidis), Caspar Asgreen (Sourdal-Quickstep), and Oliver Naessen (AG2R Citroen), all scored two points in the Côte de Capvern-les-Bains He bridged to the group ahead, including teammate James Shaw, in time to sprint for two points at Côte de Capvern-les-Bains. He then fended off the chasing pack in the Col d'Espin to take 10 points.

He also fought his way to the top of the uncategorized Tourmalet Pass, despite dropping out of the breakaway group. He summited in 6th place, earning 6 points and now leads the gal by 8 points.

"I'm very happy to get a lot of points today," said Paules. I'm very happy with the points I got today," said Powless. With only four small climbs in the next two stages, he can rest easy and keep his polka dots.

"In the next easy stage, I want to enjoy every moment."