A very hot day. A stage that is hilly.
But the riders are keen.
Bang! They burst out of Vulcania like rockets.
A group forms at the front.
Even Tadej and Vingo are in it.
What has got into everybody?
Should we try and keep up? asks David.
Why not? says Vello.
I can think of a few reasons, says David.
It's hot, says Pierre-Louis. But you get used to it.
Until the first hill, says Gaius. That's when you realise.
Do we have any ice? asks Vello.
No. Shall I go back? asks Pierre-Louis.
Don't bother, says David. Look who's up the road there.
It's Marcel, in his clown suit, with Terence.
Marcel is shaking his giant bottle of funny water.
It sounds like it's filled with crushed ice.
Want some? shouts Terence.
I'll stop, says Pierre-Louis. You others continue.
He stops.
He empties his drink bottle, and Marcel refills it with crushed ice made of funny water.
What is funny water exactly? asks Pierre-Louis.
It's whatever you want it to be, says Marcel. Think of your favourite.......
It isn't! says Terence.
Only because you haven't thought hard enough, says Marcel.
I don't have time for this, says Pierre-Louis. Just tell me it isn't illegal.
Well, don't drink it, says Marcel. It will cool you if you tip some down the back of your jumper. The sensation evokes......
So it is illegal, thinks Pierre-Louis. And I've tipped out my normal water. What now?
He speeds up to the others, passing Team Condor.
He's in a hurry, says Sweezus.
He has ice, says Arthur. He needs to get it to the others.
Ice! says Ranger Roger. Where'd he get it from?
Back there, says Arthur. Marcel and Terence had crushed ice. Didn't you see them?
No, says Ranger Roger. I was rehearsing the disappearing egg trick in my head.
Cool, says Sweezus. Do you really know how to do it?
You need a sleeve, says Ranger Roger.
Show me later, says Sweezus. But right now, go back for some ice.
Ranger Roger drops back, to get some.
To be honest, it's probably not worth following these guys this morning.
They're not going to win anything.
Up at the front, groups form and crumble. Counter attacks drop away.
A few riders are super determined, as if on a mission.
Neilands, Zimmerman, Ben O'Connor, Pello Bilbao.....
Neilands is passed.
Zimmerman... Ben O'Connor...
Olé!
Pello Bilbao wins it for the glory of Spain and to honour a team-mate who died recently.
After the finish, Bilbao is tearful.
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