He told reporters he was waiting for the mountains to make his mark, and Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) did not disappoint.

The diminutive Spanish climbing ace looked out of touch in the first week, struggling to stay with the bunch on his return to competitive action after crashing out of the Giro d’Italia.

His efforts in the break on stage ten, however, as well as moving him into the polka dot jersey, show he is approaching form again as he builds towards the Vuelta a Espana.

Handed free rein by his team, if Rodriguez pursues the polka dot jersey he is undoubtedly good enough to take it.

If not, 2012 winner Thomas Voeckler (Team Europcar) is waiting in the wings at just 17 points back, with stage nine winner Tony Martin (Omega Pharma-Quickstep) a further eight back.

Cannondale’s Alessandro de Marchi, winner of the mountains classification at the Criterium du Dauphine, has also accrued points.

However, with stage wins his priority, and the biggest points available on the climbs atop which his ability is most unparalleled, Purito will take some beating.

Vincenzo Nibali will be worth watching too, though, as the Shark bids to consolidate his overall lead.

If that comes courtesy of victories on the biggest summit finish, the indirect consequence could well be a complementary prize to go with his maillot jaune.

Tour de France 2014: mountains classification after stage ten

1) Joaquim Rodriguez (ESP) – Katusha – 51 pts
2) Thomas Voeckler (FRA) – Team Europcar – 34
3) Tony Martin (GER) – Omega Pharma-Quickstep -26
4) Vincenzo Nibali (ITA) – Astana – 20
5) Blel Kadri (FRA) – Ag2r-La Mondiale – 17
6) Alessandro de Marchi (ITA) – Cannondale – 17
7) Thibaut Pinot (FRA) – FDJ.fr – 16
8) Alejandro Valverde (ESP) – Movistar – 12
9) Giovanni Visconti (ITA) – Movistar – 12
10) Nicolas Edet (FRA) – Cofidis – 12