Reigning champion Jonas Vingegaard and two-time winner Tadej Pogacar cranked up the Tour de France mind games with a tennis match of exchanges worthy of Wimbledon.
But nobody is falling for their psychological tap-dancing – they will be the men to beat over the next three weeks.
Pogacar's UAE Team Emirates principal Mauro Gianetti declared Britain's Adam Yates as co-leader of their squad because the Slovenian's form is unknown after breaking his wrist two months ago. But Pogacar's pre-race prediction that Danish powerhouse Vingegaard is clear favourite to win back-to-back Yellow Jerseys appeared to be laced with sarcasm.