Tour Down Under: Stage Six - Good To Go

The final stage. McLaren Vale to Willunga Hill.

The one Richie is focused on winning.

Terence stands with Belle, watching the start.

What's that you've got, Terence? asks Belle

The Lucky, says Terence. Sweezus found it.

It looks like a lizard, says Belle.

Does it? asks Terence. He washed it.

Give it here, says Belle.

She fashions it back into more of a duck shape.

Now it's good to go.

Bang! The race starts. The riders move off.

Team Philosophe has just about given up hope of winning.

Vello: Let's not knock ourselves out.

David: Agreed. As long as we finish.

Gaius: What if Andre Greipel said that?

Vello: What? Is he behind us?

Kierkegaard: No, he's up ahead somewhere, making a final good effort. As I intend to.

Gaius: Me too.

Vello: Off you go then.

Gaius and Kierkegaard speed up, feeling virtuous, which in some ways they are.

They draw level with Sweezus and Arthur.

I heard what happened to the Lucky, says Gaius.

Yeah, says Sweezus. It was in my jersey pocket all the time.

It's ruined, says Arthur. He's returned it to Terence.

Yeah, says Sweezus. No good to us now.

It never was, says Kierkegaard.

Might have been, says Sweezus.

Not from the moment you thought you'd lost it, says Kierkegaard, riding away.

Shit, says Sweezus. Maybe I should've kept it.

Or given it to Philip, says Arthur.

Sweezus is thoughtful. Yeah, we haven't made the best use of Philip.

At least you're here by your own efforts, says Gaius, speeding up and drawing away.

Smart dudes, him and Kierkegaard, says Sweezus.

Not that smart, says Arthur. They're peaking too soon.

This cheers Sweezus up.

When this is over he and Arthur should go down the coast somewhere, surfing. Maybe take Philip.

Fast forward to the finish.

Belle is there, with Terence and the Lucky, which now looks (again) like a duck.

Here comes Richie.

Looks like Richie'll win it, says Belle.

Boo! says Terence. Do your job, Lucky!

He waves the Lucky. Pulls its tail. Shouts Fu-wen! for good measure.

Wait! says Belle. Who's that coming up behind him?

Who? cries Terence. Is it Sweezus?

No chance, says Belle.

She is right. No chance. It's Matthew Holmes of team Lotto-Soudal.

Would you believe it? He passes Richie on Richie's favourite hill and wins the stage by three seconds.

Is Richie dejected? No he isn't.

He has won the 2020 Tour Down Under in the General Classification.

He is smiling and thanking his team.

Terence throws the Lucky onto the road.

A cyclist rides over it.

Again, it looks more like a lizard.