Many hoped he would go on to challenge for the overall yellow jersey after his astonishing stage 12 victory on Alpe d’Huez in 2022, but it was becoming gradually acknowledged that he is more of a one-day specialist on a road or mountain bike.

Wearing the yellow jersey Pogacar, 25, finished the stage a blistering one minute and three seconds clear of second-placed Jonas Vingegaard.

He also spent 19 days in the yellow jersey, holding it exclusively from stage four.

Carapaz became the first Ecuadorian to wear the yellow jersey after moving into the overall lead on stage three but subsequently faded from contention for the overall race.

Using the familiar “tu” form to address Mr. Xi, 70, rather than the formal “vous” that would have been more customary between heads of state, Mr. Macron, 46, offered the Chinese leader a yellow jersey signed by last year’s Tour de France winner, Jonas Vingegaard, a Danish cyclist.