Tour de France 2: St Lô to Cherbourg - Carrot and Stick

St Lô. It's raining.

Terence is looking for grandpa.

Luckily he has his parrot, to keep him from despair.

Let me tell you a story, says the Elegant Parrot.

The rain drips down Terence's nose.

All right, sniffs Terence.

But we haven't time to listen to the story. The race has begun. The riders pour out of St Lô.

Team Philosophe is feeling confident.

Vello: We should do well today.

David: Yes. I agree.

Marx: If we all pull together.

Vello: Ha ha! Communist!

David: It's all about winning.

Marx: The two great drivers of humanity are of equal importance.

Vello: Is that you quoting yourself?

Marx: No. It's the first time I've said it.

David: Refresh me. What are they?

Vello: Carrot and stick!

David: I wasn't asking you, Vello.

Richie Porte cruises by, followed by Tee Jay van Garderen.

See that, says Vello. Carrot and stick.

Marx: Enough! Time to get serious.

Vello: I'm always serious.

Gaius approaches from behind and draws level.

Gaius: Hello boys. Rain looks like stopping.

David: Gaius! No hard feelings?

Gaius: No. I'm enjoying being under Arthur. It makes a change from our usual relationship.

Vello: How's Arthur doing?

Gaius: He has one simple rule. No, two, is it....? Number one is know where your team is. He learned that from Richie.

Marx: Very sensible. Does he know where you are?

Gaius: Not right now. He sent me ahead. He's with Pablo. They're working on something.

Vello: A poem no doubt. Which is hardly....

Gaius: Before you scoff....it's a poem about leadership, involving sticky notes as I understand it. Not really my field.... by the way, Marx, have you seen Terence?

Marx: No. Should I have?

Gaius: He's looking for you. Well, hooroo lads!

Vello: He's chirpy.

David: Woah! Watch out ahead! A crash.

Team Philosophe avoids the main crash site, in the midst of which they spot Alberto Contador, looking grim and determined.

Gaius too, avoids it.

Arthur and Pablo are so far back the crash has been cleared when they get there.

But they have come up with sticky note three.

#3. Take every opportunity.

A good one.

So good it is already being practised by Peter Sagan, who powers up the Côte de la Glacerie and sprints to the finish, beating Alaphilippe and Valverde.