FOIX, France — When one French rider starts to fade, another comes to the fore. One way or the other, France may be on course for its first Tour de France winner since 1985.

Dancing over his saddle, his mouth wide open and gasping for air, Thibaut Pinot launched a ferocious attack Sunday and profited from the first signs of weakness in the high mountains from his countryman Julian Alaphilippe, the race leader, to edge closer to gaining the yellow jersey.

Ascending the last uphill finish in the Pyrenees with a display of power and fluidity that signaled that he would also be a major contender to win the Tour, Pinot gained time on all his rivals for the second consecutive day, following his triumph at the famed Tourmalet mountain in the previous stage.

Heading to the second and final rest day Monday ahead of what promises to be a climactic final week in the Alps, the race is exquisitely poised. Six riders are within 2 minutes 14 seconds of one another at the top of the standings.