Saturday, July 22, 2023

Stage 20: Belfort to Le Markstein - Lucky Duck

The second to last day. 

A double mountain finish.

The French are hoping that Tibaut Pinaut will win. It's his last Tour

The Danes are sure that no one can beat Jonas Vingegaard.

The Slovenians hope that Tadej Pogacar comes good.

Terence has got a new parrot.

At first glance it doesn't look much like a parrot.

The teams ride out of Belfort.

They pass the lucky infant. Today they all see him.

What can this mean?

He doesn't have his hat on a stick.

(in fact, he has lost it).

What he has is a duck. Or is it two ducks?

No one is willing to linger, and find out.

Are ducks lucky? asks Neilsen Powless.

Must be, says Felix Gall. It rhymes.

You're confusing two competitions, says Powless, as he speeds off after Guilio Ciccone.

Sweezus thinks it's more complicated.

See that? says Sweezus. Terence's lost his hat.

Yeah? says Ranger Roger. What's that he was holding?

A duck, says Sweezus. Better known as a parrot.

Actually two ducks, says Arthur. Joined together.

A double duck, says Sweezus. Or double parrot.

What's this about a parrot? asks Ranger Roger.

Terence likes to have a parrot, says Sweezus. A real parrot's best, but any bird will do, 

Failing that, a balloon, says Arthur.

Yeah, says Sweezus.

Are ducks lucky? asks Ranger Roger, echoing Powless's question.

I don't reckon, says Sweezus. 

Balloons might be, says Arthur. 

This is prescient of Arthur. 

Or could be, if Terence had a balloon, instead of a duck. 

Thibaut Pinaut is soloing over the Petit Ballon at this moment. 

The crowds are leaping and cheering and chanting.

How they love Thibaut Pinaut.

But alas. That was his moment.

Vingegaard, Gall and Pogacar (yes! Pogacar has come good!), pass him 3 k before the summit of Platzerwesel.

It's a tight finish, but guess who comes first?

Tadej Pogacar! 

(and he hadn't noticed the duck)


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