Stage 9 : Vannes to Pumelac - Jealousy

Today, the team time trials.

Orica GreenEDGE will start out with only six riders.

Team Condor has five.

Yes, the genius plan of David Hume has come to fruition.

Sweezus, Arthur, Pablo, Gaius and Gaius's doppelganger ride out.

Does this get picked up by the officials?

No it does not.

Gaius is a registered rider. He rides past the official

The official ticks a box.

The Doppelganger rides past the official.

The official thinks he has had a déjà vu moment. Sacre bleu! He has ticked the box already? Tant pis!

Off they go.

Sweezus has ordered the team to stay close together, and allow no distractions.

This means, no poetry, no laughing, no beeping.

Arthur and Pablo try hard.

Gaius is keeping an eye on the Doppelganger.

The Doppelganger has not spoken thus far.

It seems that Schopenhauer's bicycle has little influence on its virtual rider.

But then:

Excuse me! says the Doppelganger.

Jumping juggernauts! says Gaius.

Crackle, crackle, says the Doppelganger. I must issue a warning.

You sound familiar, says Gaius.

It's Belles boyfriend! says Arthur, who is riding close up behind them. It's Arne's voice!

So it is, says Gaius. How is this possible?

Virtual science, says the Doppelganger.

Of course, says Gaius. But what......?

I shall return to the Museum after the rest day, says the Doppelganger. It was not intended that I should come this far.

What's up? says Sweezus, dropping back slightly. What's he saying?

It's Belle's boyfriend, says Pablo, who has heard most of it. He's going back to Utrecht after today.

No, after tomorrow, says the Doppelganger. After the rest day and picnic.

Yeah? says Sweezus. What picnic?

Belle's picnic, says the Doppelganger. She invited me specially.

Arthur tries to keep a straight face.

So Belle has invited the Doppelganger with the voice of her boyfriend to a picnic.

Sweezus doesn't need this. Just look at his face.

We're all invited, says Arthur.

While this may not be the case now, Arthur will see that is the case tomorrow.

Sweezus is mollified, and Team Condor goes on to complete the team time trial, with Gaius the crucial fifth rider.

....

Later, Team BMC beats Team Sky by only one second. But Froomey keeps yellow.