Friday, July 15, 2022

Stage 13: Le Bourg to Saint Etienne - Destiny

Today is a flat day, and good for the sprinters.

But today will be bad luck for one.

What's for snacks? asks Team Romeo-Knowlesi, before they get going.

Cabbage pie leftovers, says Terence.

We don't know if we like that, says Quiet-Tartus.

It made Sweezus go really fast yesterday, says Terence. He said so.

(Though, to be honest, he did not say why).

Okay, says Quiet-Tartus, that's a reason. We'll try it.

Hurry! says Terence. Baby Pierre's comng.

The frog team speeds off on Baby Pierre's spare bicycle.

Why didn't you stop them? cries Baby Pierre.

I'm on their side, says Terence. And today they'll be even faster!

Why? shouts Baby Pierre over his shoulder.

Cabbage pie! shouts Terence.

Did Baby Pierre hear that, or is he already too far away?

Baby Pierre catches up to the breakaway, shooting under the wheel of Caleb Ewan.

I'm feeling more confident today, Caleb is saying.

Yeah, says his Lotto-Soudal team mate. You made it through yesterday. That was massive.

I'm f.... says Caleb Ewan, clipping the wheel of the rider in front of him.

Crash! Arghh! Oh no. Bad luck Caleb Ewan!

Was that destined to happen? 

Or what? 

But one man's bad luck is another man's... something. Or nothing, if the other man is already way up ahead.

The other man is Mads Pedersen, who is now attacking, 12.5 k from the finish.

Go him. Perhaps he will solo to victory.

But no. Houle and Wright have followed. 

Mads must sprint to the finish. Which he does.

And what happened to Team Romeo-Knowlesi, should you be wondering?

Did they benefit from the cabbage?

Yes and no. They were still blowing bubbles as an after-effect of the dried mealworms. But the cabbage pie gave them a gas-powered forward momentum.

In fact, they reached Saint Etienne well before any other riders.

Bad luck no one paid any attention.


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