Ajaccio to Calvi: Nothing But Winning

It's the final stage of the Tour to be ridden in Corsica. Ajaccio to Calvi. And it's a hard one.

The other riders have begun to take notice of Niko.

Alberto Contador is wearing his new yellow glasses. He looks sideways at Niko as Niko flies by in the intermediate sprint.

This man Niko, thinks Alberto. He look like he is flying. Is no good.

Cadel Evans rides up, his legs going like pistons.

Nice glasses Alberto, says Cadel, using psychological warfare.

Pfft, says Alberto. You know you want some.

Cadel pedals past, trying to catch up to Niko.

That Niko, thinks Cadel. He's got to be cheating somehow.

Up comes Mark Cavendish.

Bloody Niko, puffs Mark Cavendish, accidentally out loud.

Yeah? says Cadel. What do you reckon?

Cheating, says Cavendish. But how?

It is no time for talking however. They speed up.

Arthur and Unni are riding behind Sweezus and Surfing-With-Whales. It is difficult, coming up to the pass, to pass anyone here.

Sweezus and Surfing-With-Whales don't know who is behind them.

What did you reckon about Arthur? says Surfing-With-Whales.

Sweezus regrets saying anything yesterday.

He puffs harder and pretends he can't possibly speak. Puff puff.

Unni has heard them.

She looks at Arthur.

Why is Surfing-With-Whales asking what Sweezus reckons about him?

But Arthur is looking intensely at Sweezus. Is he or isn't he? Yes. He is wearing the ostrich skin bracelet.

Arthur is gratified. He falls back. So does Unni. Ageless rides up behind them.

Am I or am I not the Captain? says Ageless.

Not, says Arthur.

Who is then? says Ageless.

Niko, says Arthur. He's the fastest.

Ageless  is filled with chagrin. Niko must go, or at least be deposed as the captain.

All these undercurrents are bubbling under the surface as the teams race along to the finish.

Only Peter Sagan and Simon Gerrans are thinking of nothing but winning.

It is a photo finish, in Calvi. And Simon Gerrans has thought of nothing the most.