Stage 6: Tours to Châteauroux - Hole

A day for the fast finishers. The last 1.5 k is dead straight.

Mark Cavendish is wearing the green jersey.

Matthieu van der Poel is in yellow. 

Belle has relented, and is at the feed zone with snacks she bought earlier.

Terence and Saint Ténénan are beside her.

Can I give out the drinks? asks Terence.

No, says Belle. You're too low. They'd lose their balance.

What if I stand on a box? asks Terence.

Not allowed, says Belle.

What is allowed? asks Terence.

Encouragement, says Saint Ténénan. 

Cheating? asks Terence.

No, says Saint Ténénan. That isn't.

You cheated, says Terence. Belle said.

Never mind, says Belle. Team Philosophe is doing so badly it hardly matters.

We need Gaius to replace Saint Arnoc, says Saint Ténénan.

Too late now, says Belle.

The peloton enters the feed zone.

The riders take their musettes.

Belle thrusts one at Vello and one at David.

Where is Saint Arnoc? 

A long way behind.

Here he comes now, chatting to Arthur.

No thank you, says Saint Arnoc, passing Belle.

I'll take both, says Arthur.

He takes two.

Sweezus rides up, with Pablo. They have been discussing Pablo's new job last year in Chile.

He was employed as a diplomat.

And I could not go anywhere, says Pablo. Because of the covid19.

Bummer, says Sweezus.

They each take a musette.

Courage! says Terence. 

Thanks, little buddy, says Sweezus.

That was nice, says Belle.

What's in the musettes? asks Saint Ténénan.

Sainte-Maure cheese, says Belle.

My favourite goat cheese, says Saint Ténénan. It has the grey mouldy rind rolled in wood ash, and the hole through the middle.

Why does it have a hole through the middle? asks Terence.

For the straw, says Saint Ténénan.

And nougat, adds Belle.

Terence is confused, but Saint Ténénan isn't.

Some way down the route, Vello has finished his goat cheese and is taking a bite of the nougat. 

Watch your teeth on the nougat, David, says Vello. 

David loves nougat.

They are far from the finish, but not at the back of the peloton.

The sun is shining. 

Who cares who is winning?

Only Mark Cavendish, and that is because it is him.