Stage Six: Mulhouse to La Planche des Belles Filles - Banana

I'm not resentful of the success of others, says Nietszche, at breakfast.

Just as well, says Vello.

Suffering is a necessary component of good things, continues Nietzsche.

He offers Gaius the other half of his banana.

Thank you, says Gaius. Waste not want not.

Thus spake Zarathustra, says David.

Ha ha! laughs Vello.

What's so funny? asks Nietzsche.

Nothing, says Vello. Just don't ride up the wrong mountain today.

I've already apologised, says Nietszche.

I know, says Vello. Now, today will be even harder. Seven categorised climbs ending at La Planche des Belles Filles.

With an added kilometre at the end, says David. I must say, I don't feel I need that.

Super Planche, says Belle. That's what they call the extra steep part.

Belles Filles, says Gaius. Beautiful girls. I wonder where the name came from?

Beeches, says David. Belles Fahys.

How do you know? asks Vello.

Wiki, says David.

Gaius's phone rings.

Hello! Shu! How goes it? Chinese! Absolutely certain? Hum. I should like to see the proof.... what's that? Oh yes, he's been zipping about, causing annoyance, but he's not with us. No not with Team Condor either. Yes, it's his bike. Oh dear! Really? All right I'll see what I can do. Bye now.

What's up? asks Belle. Was your spider Chinese?

Yes, says Gaius. The Chinese say so.

Hum, says Vello.

That's what I said, says Gaius.

Terence comes in. He has been standing outside watching the teams assemble.

Ah, Terence, says Gaius. Where is Mouldy?

Talking to the winner, says Terence.

We don't yet know the winner, says David.

Mouldy does, says Terence. He always tells me.

Who'll win today? asks Vello.

The guy he's talking to, says Terence.

Gaius goes across to the window.

But he can't see Mouldy.

He returns to the table.

I can't see him, says Gaius. When you see him, tell him that Baby Pierre is apprehensive about his bicycle.

Okay, says Terence.

.....

The stage.

Seven categorised climbs.

It would be pleasant except that you have to ride fast and the weather looks dodgy.

Crowds cheer at the tops of the climbs.

Some of them wear red and white polka dot tee shirts.

Enough of that.

It's nearly the finish.

The guy Mouldy was talking to has remained in the breakaway.

So has Dylan Teuns.

Pedal pedal....

Teuns wins! A Belgian!

And the guy Mouldy was talking to comes second!

Who was it?

Giulio Ciccone! So Mouldy was wrong?

Not really. Ciccone, being better placed in the GC, gets the yellow jersey!

So you could argue Mouldy was right.