Another cool day.
The teams roll out of Brighton.
Team Philosophe stays together.
Gaius looks over his shoulder.
Yes, they do look more aggressive.
Earlier he had given them his pep talk.
There's no glory in coasting, he'd said.
And Vello had laughed, but David and Pierre-Louis had looked as though they might pursue glory.
At least that's how Gaius saw it.
David, I'm leading you out, says Gaius, lurching forward.
Okay, says David.
Who's the captain? asks Vello.
You are, says David, But you laughed. I at least kept a straight face.
Oh, go on then, says Vello.
David speeds up to sit behind Gaius's wheel.
Vello and Pierre-Louis pedal companionably.
About that article, says Pierre-Louis.
After this you'll have something to write about, says Vello.
Pierre-Louis looks pleased.
They pass Bettiol, whose face reveals suffering.
Okay? asks Vello.
Cramps, says Bettiol.
Bettiol drops further behind.
Vello and Pierre-Louis continue, not saying anything.
Ahead they see a group of riders including Michael Matthews.
He's in a good position, observes Vello.
But then.
Matthews is clipped on one side and then clipped on the other by riders who are not from his team.
His chain drops and sticks in his front crank.
He fumbles to release it, but fails.
Vello and Pierre-Louis pass him as he mutters dreadful obscenities.
There's no respect these days.
There is something to be said for just coasting, says Vello.
Pierre-Louis agrees.
Or it may be the influence of Schopenhauer's right understanding.
Meanwhile Gaius and David have caught up with Sweezus and Arthur.
Hey, says Sweezus, swerving for who knows what reason.
David clips him.
Sweezus theatrically topples onto some grass.
Sorry, says David.
Hope everyone saw that, says Sweezus getting back on.
All four of them pedal to the finish, in Victor Harbour.
A good few minutes behind Rohan Dennis, who has won.
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