Stage 9: Aigle to Châtel - Whizzer

Yesterday, Terence went missing.

He had followed the small clown to the insect factory.

They had crept in past security and filled their pockets with mealworms.

By the time they returned, the race had left Dole.

Terence had been disappointed. How was he to deliver the mealworms to his team?

How was he to get anywhere, come to think of it?

Luckily the small clown had a dad.

So here is Terence, today, at the first feed zone after Aigle, with Katherine, mealworms at the ready.

What's in your pockets? asks Katherine. They're moving.

Food for my team, says Terence. 

You seem to have a lot of it, says Katherine.

They're not getting all of it today, says Terence.

Did you have those shorts on all last night? asks Katherine.

Yes, says Terence. Why?

Just asking, says Katherine. Sweezus will be doing a wash tomorrow, you could throw them in. 

Sweezus pedals by, with a feed bag he has picked up from Sirene.

Behind him wafts the faint smell of tuna.

Team Philosophe rolls up in a threesome.

What do we have today? asks Vello.

Papet vaudois, says Katherine. Don't worry, it's been whizzed up.

Mother! says David. You haven't whizzed up the papet vaudois?

Easier to digest it, says Katherine. And you have two category one climbs today.

What is papet vaudois? asks N F S Grundtvig.

Sausage and leek, says David. Whoever would think of whizzing a sausage?

You'll thank me, later, says Katherine. Now go!

Team Romeo-Knowlesi stops in front of Terence.

Hello team, says Terence. Sorry about yesterday.

We had nothing, says the knowlesi.

But look! says Terence, pulling wriggling mealworms from his pockets.

Urkk! Shouldn't they be dried? croaks Quiet-Tartus.

Terence doesn't know if they should be.

They will be tomorrow, says Terence. But these ones are fresh ones.

Team Romeo-Knowlesi has no choice but to chew on the fresh mealworms.

Ptuh-ptuh. Hmm. Not bad.

Up ahead David is opening his container of whizzed leek and sausage. And drinking it down.

Vello and N F S have not opened theirs yet.

David has shot forward. 

Is he thinking of joining the breakaway?

Not he. But he is eventually close enough to see the back of Thibaut Pinot labouring valiantly after Bob Jungels.

And Thibaut being passed in the final kilometre of the climb up Pas de Morgins by Jonathan Castroviejo and Carlos Verona.

And Bob Jungels winning.

And Thibaut looking dejected.