Tuesday, July 5, 2022

Stage 4: Dunkerque to Calais - Furious

Stage four.

The first one in France.

There are six hills to climb before the finish.

Magnus Cort is determined to keep his polkadot jersey.

Wout van Aert is determined to win, in the yellow.

Let's see how it goes.

Magnus Cort is in a breakaway with Anthony Perez.

We are way ahead of everyone else, says Magnus Cort, over his shoulder.

I know, says Anthony Perez. Let's keep going.

Can you believe this is all they are saying!

Let us slip back to the peloton where there may be more interesting conversations.

Team Philosophe have just picked up their musettes from Katherine.

They rummage inside.

What is this? cries Vello. It feels like jelly!

It must be the potjevleesch, says David. She did say we could slurp it.

I've got it! says N F S. No I haven't! It slipped out of my hands.

Have you lost it? asks Vello, licking his fingers.

No, it is at the bottom of my musette, in jelly-like pieces! says N F S. 

Calm down, says David. Pick up the jelly-like pieces one by one.

N F S picks up a jelly-like piece with his fingers.

It's hard to concentrate on two things at once, but he does it.

Christophe Laporte comes up behind.

Do I smell potch?

Is that what they call it? says Vello. What does it consist of?

Pork, chicken and veal in jelly, says Christophe. Funny food you've been given. Who's your soigneuse?

My mother, says David.

Desolé, says Christophe. Mothers always know best.

He speeds off (in order to come third, some time later).

Well, that was a more interesting conversation.

Let's move on.

Sweezus is eating a pastry flavoured with coffee and chicory.

This is more like it, says Sweezus. No salt.

Want to try for King of the Mountain? asks Arthur.

Maybe the last one, says Sweezus. What is it?

Cote du Cap Blanc-Nez, says Arthur.

I'll decide later, says Sweezus. 

Hey! says Pablo, are you losing your passion for winning? Have you consumed too much sugar? How many pastries have you eaten?

About six, says Sweezus.

Pablo determines to speak to Sirene.

Too much salt, now too much sugar. What is she thinking?

Below them two frogs on a tiny bicycle speed by, pursued by a furious Baby Pierre.

If they are saying anything, we can't hear it.

Up at the front, Jasper Philipsen fulfils his dream of winning, momentarily.

He has not realised that Wout van Aert has crossed the finish line already.


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