TDU Prologue - Excitement Indeed

Next morning Sweezus comes over.

He and Gaius go out for a practice ride.

Denis meets Vello and David in Norwood, at 38 Acres.

They sit outside.

All set for the Prologue tonight? asks Vello.

As much as I can be, says Denis. What's the strategy?

Go like the clappers, says Vello. It's 3.6k. You'll need to do it in under five minutes.

I'm sure I can do that, says Denis. What's that green stuff you're drinking?

Matcha, says David. Good for the gut.

Vile stuff, says Vello. Want some?

Denis decides he should try it. Plus a slice of peach tart.

Meanwhile Henriette is at Gaius's house, wishing she had a bike.

Perhaps Gaius has a spare one in his shed.

She opens the shed door. 

Errk! Spiders!

This reminds her of Ageless. He must still be in the bathroom. 

She goes back inside, and enters the bathroom.

Peers into the bucket.

I suppose you want a shower, grunts Ageless. Don't mind me.

Are you okay? asks Henriette. Are you hungry?

I'll eat my old carapace if I am, says Ageless.

That's disgusting, says Henriette.

Most of it Denis threw out, says Ageless. But there are some small sharp pieces under my bottom.

Okay, says Henriette. 

She has a shower, ignoring the crunching sounds coming from the bucket.

Then she calls Belle.

.....

Later that evening, there is a buzz in the city.

The Prologue is starting.

Henriette, Belle and Terence are sitting in the Victoria Park Grandstand, awaiting the finish. 

One by one the riders go down the chute in Victoria Square.

Who are they?

There goes Sweezus, of Team Condor. looking good in his frog colours.

Arthur goes next, looking green.

Gaius makes a fast exit down the chute. 

Then Denis Diderot, of Team Philosophe.

Then Vello, waving at the crowd.

And David, also waving.

Zoom....zoom....zoom.... and there go the ones we don't know.

And some we might vaguely remember

That one is Jay Vine, an Australian.

There goes Sam Watson, of Team Ineos. 

And that one is....Ben O'Connor!

Here's Jhonatan Narváez, who won the TDU last year.

Okay, that's everyone.

Over at the Grandstand, excitement is growing.

Sam Watson is sitting in the hot seat with a time of 4 minutes 16.9 seconds.

In fact he has been sitting in the hot seat for almost two hours.

And no one's been able to beat him.

Excitement indeed.