Today there are mountains to conquer, which could change everything.
Teejay van Garderen is already having a headache.
Alberto Contador is hatching a plan.
Nairo Quintano is glad that he practiced at home before coming.
Team Condor is riding with Team Philosophe in the middle of the peloton.
No one is trying too hard.
They pass Tejay van Garderen at 91km. He has tragically stopped to abandon.
Sic transit, says Gaius.
........gloria mundi, says Arthur, who did Latin at school.
I KNOW her! says Terence popping his head up from Arne-Doppelganger's basket.
Gloria Mundy! She used to have tea with the Virgin.
Ha ha, says Vello. Gloria Mundy having tea with the Virgin. Who played mother?
Yes shut up, Terence, says Sweezus. Pull your head in.
Terence doesn't see why he should. He stays upright, shifting to look at the scenery.
Woo! says Terence. Watch out!
Arne-Doppelganger swerves, and rights himself.
You are too heavy, wearing this ribbon, says Arne. You nearly caused me an upset.
Yes, says Terence. It's heavy for me too. And not bendy. It sticks out here, see?
He turns in the basket, and the end of the stone ribbon clips Arthur, who loses his balance and falls towards Pablo who also falls off.
See, says Terence.
Bugger! says Sweezus. There go my two best riders!
Gaius looks sour. Who has done all the donkey work?
.......
Later, the stage being over:
Simon Geschke of Team Giant Alpecin has won, and not Thibaut Pinot.
Alberto has lost two more minutes, due to a crash on the descent from the col d'Allos.
And other various tragedies.
(Arthur and Pablo both have skinned knees).
Belle decides there is time to take Terence shorts shopping .
Not in Pra Loup, a ski resort, but in nearby Barcelonette, in the Ubay valley.
Barcelonette is an ancient town, settled by Ligurians, Celts, Romans, French and, in the 19th and 20th centuries, by Mexicans.
Terence is excited. Barcelonette! It must be like Barcelona!
But it isn't. It's smaller. And there isn't a palace, or a Virgin.
Belle finds a Mexican shop called La Baita.
The shop is full of Mexican clothing, colourful artifacts, homewares and knicknacks.
Look around, Terence, says Belle, and choose something you like.
Terence pokes around, looking for something familiar.
Ah! A scary Dia de Muertos grinning skull face!
I want that one, says Terence.
But it's a cushion cover, says Belle.
Wah! wails Terence.
Oh all right, says Belle . We'll take it. I'll make it into a lap lap.
A happy ending for someone at least.
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