Stage 18: Pau to Luz Ardidon - Pog

Last big day in the mountains.

Just as well.

Sweezus has given up hope of being King of the Mountain.

What does it matter? says Arthur. 

True, says Pablo. The point of the Tour is not only to win it.

So what is it? asks Sweezus.

To challenge yourself, says Pablo.

If I wanted to challenge myself, I'd buy one of those Zwift things, says Sweezus.

Look on the bright side, says Pablo, looking at Arthur.

At least we're not cheating, says Arthur.

Sweezus is about to cheer up when a French policeman in the crowd pokes a baton in front of his face.

Stop! says the policeman.

Don't! says Arthur. 

But Sweezus thinks he should stop for a policeman.

He stops.

They are just out of Pau.

Non! says the policeman. I did not mean it! Get back on your bicycle. A thousand apologies. It's me.

Sweezus knows the face of the policeman. And the curly blue hair under under his blue gendarme cap.

Fuck you, Marcel, says Sweezus. 

Allez! Allez! cries Marcel. Desolé!

Which means he is sorry.

Sweezus gets back on his bike, and soon catches up to Team Philosophe, who are discussing their poetry competition, and dawdling.

It was when Arthur pointed out the double meaning, says Gaius, that I realised how clever my poem was.

Tell me again, says Vello.

Ars means skill in Latin, says Gaius. But it sounds like arse, a crude name for buttocks.

We all know that, says Vello. But am I right in recalling that Latin is not a spoken language?

Strictly speaking, that is correct, says Gaius.

Therefore, says Vello, no one could pick up the double meaning.

Unless I added an e, says Gaius. 

Then what happens to skill? asks Vello.

What's this about? asks Sweezus.

Never mind, says Gaius.

Yes, never mind. This race is important.

Let us fast forward to the finish, at the top of the Luz Ardidon.

Who is it this time? 

Aaagh! Can you believe it. It's Tadej Pogacar again, racing against Vingegaard and Carapaz (again), and easily winning!

One might think there is something not right here until one remembers that all Pogacar's main rivals are either out or in some way disabled due to crashes.

Fortune smiles on the Pog!