Wednesday, July 13, 2022

Stage 11: Albertville to Col du Granon - Yellow

A tough day in the mountains, the final two climbs being hors catégorie.

Which, as we know, means: worse than horrible.

Sirene has packed Team Condor's musettes full of glaçons de Megève.

They're at the start now, unaware they'll be fuelled only by pralines encased in meringue.

Bang.

The race starts.

Any idea what Sirene packed? asks Sweezus.

Perhaps we should have asked, says Pablo.

Geraint Thomas passes them, smirking.

What's he smirking about? asks Sweezus.

Probably the bubbles, says Arthur. 

Yeah, says Sweezus. That was bad luck, but kind of funny.

Terence didn't think so, says Pablo. He thought the mealworms had dried.

They had dried, says Sweezus. 

So why the bubbles? asks Pablo.

Washing powder, says Sweezus. I couldn't find any liquid, so I had to use powder. The dried mealworms were full of little white soap balls. 

I understand, says Pablo. So when the frogs ate the dried mealworms they blew bubbles.

Not straight away, says Sweezus.

Tadej Pogacar speeds past them.

He too may have been grinning. 

Team Condor ups the pace too. It's not far to the first feed zone.

They collect their musettes from Sirene.

Chocolates! says Pablo. They will not be sufficient!

I am sorry! cries Sirene. I will try to quickly buy cheese!

She grabs a ride on the back of a motor cycle.

The rider is surprised, but keeps going.

Unfortunately, Sirene is not seen for the rest of the day.

And no cheese is forthcoming.

Nevertheless the glaçons are not a bad fuel.

Team Condor is now nearing the summit of the Col du Granon.

Puh-huh-uhu-uh-huh. That's what it feels like.

Pogacar is flagging. Will he lose the yellow jersey?

Nairo Quintana is powering onward and upward, so is Jonas Vingegaard.

The Col is a high one, at 2413 metres.

You might think that Nairo Quintana should win it, because he is there.

Or Romain Bardet, because he too is in the picture

It doesn't matter.

Today is the day for Jonas Vingegaard, who'll wear yellow tomorrow.



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