Just like at the hairdresser's: Monday is a rest day at the Tour de France.

It has seldom been as convenient for the racing drivers as it was this time.

On Sunday they had traveled another 202 kilometers in blistering heat on the 15th stage, which pushed many to their limits.

A stage that could only be survived with hectoliters of cooling water and with ice vests before and after.

Everyone is exhausted after two weeks of touring, everyone is tired.

Now the third week begins and this is, as always, the hardest grind.

Also for Jonas Vingegaard, the man in yellow, the captain of the Dutch racing team Jumbo-Visma.

The 25-year-old Dane, who leads by 2:22 minutes, fell on Sunday and, in great excitement, saved himself on the rear wheel of his rival Tadej Pogacar.

He didn't lose any time that day, but he lost two valuable helpers: Primoz Roglic and Steven Kruijswijk.

According to the official announcement, Roglic did not compete in this 15th stage due to fall injuries that he had sustained in previous stages.

Kruijswijk had to be taken to hospital after a fall with a broken collarbone.

Roglic causes astonishment

While Kruijswijk's case was clear, Roglic's exit caused astonishment.

Not everyone was convinced by the reasoning.

Vingegaard, who started the tour with him at Jumbo-Visma as a double leader and had asserted himself in the internal hierarchy, could have used any help from his colleague.

But the loss of two top drivers hit him hard.

His outstanding team was a guarantee that he could keep his lead over Pogacar, who is usually on his own early on in the high mountains due to a lack of first-class helpers.

Vingegaard and his team took advantage of this with a spectacular attack on the 11th stage on the way to the Col du Galibier.

Roglic and Vingegaard attacked Pogacar alternately, provoking his slump on the final climb to the Col du Granon.

Vingegaard took the yellow jersey, clocked 2:22 and defended it in the following stages with the help of his helpers and his tenacity against all of the Slovenian's attacks.

He could count on his team to protect him, keep him out of danger, control the pace and keep him in the slipstream into the final stages of the stages.

That could now be the end of it.

With Roglic and Kruijswijk, two cornerstones have broken out of the team.

The effect will be seen if, as expected, Pogacar launches heavy attacks in the Pyrenees in the next few days.

If he manages to wear down the remaining, still strong jumbo armada and separate Vingegaard from his helpers, he should have a better chance of winning in Paris in a direct duel.

The big question is whether Jumbo-Visma will still be able to set a pace even on the steepest passages that makes it difficult or impossible for Pogacar to attack.

What is Thomas doing?

Vingegaard and his team had time on the rest day to analyze the constellation and form a new tactic.

The fact that her man in the green jersey, Wout van Aert, who was outstanding from the start of the tour, sprinted for stage victory in Carcassonne on Sunday (and finished second), surprised many observers, as did Roglic's exit.

One would have expected to find van Aert with Vingegaard, who had only one helper with him at the back, Frenchman Christophe Laporte.

In a hectic field with a lot of falls, that's not enough protection for a captain who wants to win the Tour.

Jumbo-Visma will need to focus what remains, even for a rider with star appeal like van Aert, on defending the yellow jersey.

The British team Ineos Grenadiers showed how full commitment is possible, keeping their man for the overall standings, Geraint Thomas, out of all dangerous situations with combined forces and full team strength on Sunday.

Third overall, Thomas is just 21 seconds behind Pogacar.

Despite this, he has so far been under the radar.

All eyes are on Vingegaard and Pogacar.

But not Jumbo-Visma, but Ineos is ahead in the team ranking and still remains surprisingly unnoticed.

Just like Thomas, who seems to be in the blind spot.

One shouldn't forget him entirely, maybe in the Pyrenees two fighting for victory will become three.

But it is more likely that Vingegaard and Pogacar will settle the matter between themselves.

It's not just a question of the legs, but also of the head.

And that's where Pogacar, who doesn't lose his calm and relaxation even in extremely stressful situations, makes the better impression.