Stage seven. A long one, and hilly.
A large breakaway forms at the front.
Sweezus finds himself in it.
Where is Arthur?
Sweezus looks over his shoulder.
WTF? That's not Arthur! Or is it? He's wearing the frog coloured outfit.
And the helmet, but under the helmet, just visible, curly blue hairs.
It's Marcel.
Prousty? says Sweezus, slowing slightly.
Marcel catches up.
Poor Arthur was feeling stiff in the knee, says Marcel, and I changed places with him at the last minute, at least, we managed to change costumes but it is not an ideal situation that I still wear the wig, because it is gathering heat and I fear it will not serve me well in the mountains.
Shut up, says Sweezus. Everyone's listening.
They will not believe it, says Marcel. Who would be so foolish....?
Take it off, says Sweezus. No, wait, don't.
They will think we are messing with their heads, says Marcel, as when mother used to tell me that grandmother wasn't coming on Saturday morning with a basket of pastries, and I would believe her until voila! grandmother would appear in the doorway, her soft round face creased with solicitude when she saw my sad features.....
Sheez! says Sweezus.
He picks up the pace.
Marcel is left wondering if he has upset his team leader.
He speeds up as well.
But his head is so hot.
He will stop soon, for a nature break. And get right off the road, behind a tree, then quickly, remove his helmet.
He does this successfully. Proust is no ninny.
It's a long day in the saddle and the final climb up Signal d'Uchan is brutal.
But there is always someone.
Matej Mohoric, of team Bahrain Victorious, is that someone today.
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