McLaren Vale to Old Willunga Hill - Clinchers

Arthur is labouring up Old Willunga Hill, with Sweezus beside him.

Huh, uh, huh, they go rhythmically.

The race is nearly over. Simon Gerrans and Tom-Jelte Slagter speed by.

Hey! calls out Arthur.

Simon Gerrans pays him scant attention. But Tom-Jelte Slagter looks back.

If you win, Tom, shouts Arthur, come and see me!

Tom-Jelte gives him the finger. It's enough to lose him first place.

So much for your plan, observes Sweezus, slowing down. He's got second. And Gerrans got first.

Doesn't matter, says Arthur. He wins two thousand euros. And he'll give half to us.

But he gave you the finger, says Sweezus. It's like.... he doesn't even like you.

He likes me, says Arthur. And he likes Bunny more.

Sweezus looks doubtful.

And, says Arthur. You've forgotten our clincher.

No I haven't, says Sweezus. I remember our clincher. But I warn you, I'm not going to go.

Arthur pats the crushed frog cake in his pocket.

The frog cake trembles and stirs. A drop of green icing oozes down Arthur leg, until it is stopped by a bandage.

............

Team Philosophe is not doing well. Today they have only two riders.

David is out after yesterday's fall and Vello is disqualified for causing it.

Gaius and Freud labour up Old Willunga Hill, at the back of the peloton, regretting the loss of the Titan.

If we still had that Titan, says Gaius, we'd be doing a lot better than this.

Yes, yes, says Freud. Every rider would be reluctant to pass us.

They would indeed, says Gaius. Because they would be wary of doing so.

Exactly, says Freud. That's how psychology works.

It's not so much the actual Titan, says Gaius.

No, says Freud. It's the idea of the Titan.

What a great pity it is, says Gaius, that Vello declared that the Titan didn't exist.

Freud sighs.

A great pity, he says.

Of course, adds Gaius, it was the only way to release you.

That is true, says Freud. That is very true. I was released.

And here we are, says Gaius.

In the rear,  mutters Freud.