Stage 4: Dax to Nogaro- Diappearing Egg

Before the race.

Belle speaks to the clown.

I wonder if you'd do me a favour, asks Belle.

Mind Terence? asks Marcel. It would be a pleasure. He appreciates my long stories.

I know, says Belle. He told me. And your clown tricks. Especially the box one. But would you also hand these snack bags out to Team Condor?

Certainly, says Marcel. What's in them?

Confit duck and walnuts, says Belle. Same as papa's team is getting.

The famous Dax duck, says Marcel.

... 

It's a fine day again. The stage is a flat one.

The teams roll out of Dax.

Caleb Ewan finds himself next to Arthur.

Hey, Arthur, says Caleb. How's it going?

So so, says Arthur. It would help if we had more to eat.

Yeah, says Caleb. You ought to do something about that.

He speeds off to continue his tactics, which involve saving  his legs until just before the finish, and shooting forward to victory.

Like all the rest of the sprinters.

But let's not get ahead of ourselves.

Here is the feeding station.

Here is Marcel, and with him is Terence.

Terence is on the trick box.

Attention! shouts Marcel, as Sweezus rides towards him. Take this food bag. It's for you! 

Sweezus takes it.

Coolissimo! What's in it? He sneaks a look in.

Walnuts and fatty duck legs. 

He give Marcel a thumbs up, as he cycles away.

What did he get? asksTerence.

Confit Duck, says Marcel. The scent reminds me of grandmother's kitchen and the ducks she kept in the garden which were excellent layers of the biggest eggs I'd ever seen in my life, would you like me to show you one?

Yes, says Terence.

Marcel makes a pass with his hand.

Oops! says Marcel. You were too slow. I've disappeared it.

Thats a rubbish trick! says Terence.

But here come Arthur and Ranger Roger. Terence is ready. He gives them Dax duck food bags too.

They look grateful.

Now let's go to the finish, ignoring the one or two crashes that have happened.

How is Caleb positioned?

Pretty well.

But alas (for him) Jasper Philipsen is right beside him.

Its neck and neck, wheel and wheel, bottom and bottom.

Until...

Caleb comes second.