Stage Eighteen: Embrun to Valloire - Nutty Philosophy

A mountain stage, with three difficult climbs.

Nairo Quintana believes that today he can win it.

Roman Bardet has high hopes of doing the same.

Sweezus has given up on his quest for the polka dot jersey.

Yeah, says Sweezus. Should’ve practiced more instead of sitting in the office with Nietzsche.

Wasn’t he sitting there too? asks Sprocket.

Yep, but he’s not doing that well either, says Sweezus. Truth is, I fell for his nutty philosophy.

Arthur laughs at the thought of that happening.

Not funny, bro, says Sweezus. He went on about being a lion.

Not a dragon? says Arthur.

No, a lion, says Sweezus. A lion that needs no justification.

To do what? says Arthur.

Create new values, says Sweezus.

Like not winning, says Sprocket.

It appears he is right.

Many riders ride past them including Team Philosophe.

Giving up? shouts Vello over his shoulder.

Enjoying the scenery, says Sweezus.

And it’s well worth enjoying.

The Alps are spectacular. Great peaks and green valleys. Rocks and scree. Escarpments. High fortifications. Crowds of people at the tops of the climbs, poking their hands out. Someone is dressed as a chicken.

Hear that? says Vello. Team Condor’s giving up.

More fool us, says David. It’s incredibly hot.

No, says Gaius. We owe it to ourselves to keep on to the finish. What do you think, Friedrich?

Nietzsche collects his thoughts, which had wandered away to Grace Swan.

Perhaps he might follow her back to the PICA.

If god is dead, as he has long contested, the gap might be filled by art and culture.

But what was the question?

David wants to give up, says Vello.

The spirit becomes a camel, says Nietzsche, the camel a lion, and the lion a child.

He’s lost it, says Vello. Keep riding men. I see Belle in the distance.

It’s Belle with musettes full of pelardons.

And Terence with bidons of water.

They have to lean down to pick up the bidons from Terence.

They wobble, but no one falls off.

Way up ahead, is Nairo Quintana.

For Nairo Quintana today, the camel has become like a lion who has become like a child.

A child is innocence and forgetfulness, a new beginning, a sport, a self- propelling wheel, a sacred ~YES~

Nairo Quintana rides solo to victory, through the angular streets of Valloire.