Joaquim Rodriguez took back the polka-dot jersey in today's mountain stage of the Tour de France but the Spaniard also saw stage winner Rafal Majka emerge as a potential threat. He hopes to defend his position in the Pyrenees which he expect to suit him better than the gradual climbs in the Alps.

Putting himself in the break of the day proved to be the perfect strategy for Team Katusha’s Joaquim Rodriguez to regain the polka dot jersey as the best climber in the 101st Tour de France. As part of an original 17-man group, “Purito” took maximum points on the first climb of the Col du Lautaret as well as claiming the points and the monetary prize for reaching the highest point first in this year’s Tour on the Col d’Izoard. 

"The stage began very fast with a lot of attacks," he said. "I tried to be in the front from the beginning because I wanted to go in the break and I did it. My main objective was to collect as many points as possible to earn back the mountain jersey.

"It was a hard stage. I saw that Majka was in good shape today. He was close in every top finish but I didn’t think someone from the break could stay away until the end because the group was really close and at the beginning of the climb we only had one minute.

"For my part I did everything I could on the climb and I fought for the possible victory until the end. But this climb was not perfect for me. I hope in the Pyrenees the climbs will suit me more. My aim is to fight for the jersey.

“It's been a very fast start and I've been lucky enough to make the breakaway. Nibali was up there too but he was the danger number 1 for our move. Fortunately he didn't stay in the front group.

"It went well for me in the first two climbs. I got the KOM points I wanted but I was tired in the last hill. I still tried to go for the stage win though… But my main goal is to win the polka dot jersey. This would be something unique in my career. I have a big week ahead. I hope for the best in the Pyrenees, close to home.”

The peloton leaves the Alps now and heads south on Sunday and then west in preparation for next week’s Pyrenean stages. Tomorrow’s stage 15 is 222 km starting in Tallard and ending in Nîmes. The day before the rest day could be another for the sprinters.