Stage 5: Changé to Laval - Zero Sum

Stage five, the time trials. 

The skies look ominous.

The riders set out, one by one, to cover 27.2 kilometres in the fastest time possible.

It rains just as Sweezus is starting.

What bad luck, says Belle.

He'll be all right, says Marcel. He is used to bad fortune.

Sweezus wobbles around a wet corner, and out of sight.

Arthur is next.

Arthur doesn't deserve to do well, says Belle.  

I understand your reasoning, says Marcel, but it was not cheating for me to take his place yesterday.

What was it then? asks Belle.

A zero sum, says Marcel. Arthur gained a rest, but today he will have a stiff knee.

Tch! says Belle. So it was pointless.

Pas du tout, says Marcel. A day off being a clown was a good day for me.

Several others have gone down the slope in the meantime.

Now it's Vello.

Vello waves towards Belle, hoping for a thumbs up.

She scowls. Only Terence waves gaily.

Then it is Gaius. 

Is that Gaius? asks Marcel.

No, says Belle. It's Saint Arnoc. Gaius refuses to participate in the rest of the tour. At least HE has principles.

But Saint Arnoc is an old man, says Marcel. He will never keep up the pretence of being a world class rider.

He might, says Belle. There are two saints, remember.

Oh yes, says Marcel. Saint Arnoc and Saint Ténénan, Where is Saint Ténénan?

That could be him, says Belle. They look alike, especially in helmets.

More riders set off. The rain has stopped now. 

It's not at all fair.

Saint Arnoc, or is it Saint Ténénan, has caught up with Arthur, who is (again) Arthur.

Arthur has a stiff knee, as predicted.

I feel bad about this, says Saint Ténénan, passing Arthur.

My knee's stiff, says Arthur. 

We are not interfering, says Saint Ténénan.  

Arthur hadn't thought that the old guys might be interfering.

Maybe they are.

Then he remembers that they are saints and if they claim they are not interfering, they are not interfering.

Arthur rides to the finish in Laval. He doesn't pass Sweezus. His time is middling. But his knee feels okay.

Tadej Pogacar wins the time trial stage in a blistering 32 minutes.

For them both, a good day.