An Endless Necklace

Padron.

Today's stage is hilly, with a steep climb near the finish, before the downhill run back to Padron.

A loop, says Baby Pierre. My favourite! Watch me! I'll be back!

He shoots away, leaving the Kroombit tinker to wonder if she's meant to follow.

I wouldn't bother, says Pablo, coming up from behind.

He said he'd be back, says the tinker.

No one can do the loop twice as fast as anyone else, says Pablo.

He is a bit boastful, says the tinker. 

He is, says Pablo. Ride with me for a while. How's your poem going.

O hay, I'm always trying, says the tinker.

She feels suddenly shy. 

Perhaps Pablo won't realise it's the first line of her poem.

Excellent beginning! says Pablo. 

The tinker feels proud.

How's yours going? asks the tinker.

Slowly, says Pablo. I'm making my words into an endless necklace.

Ooh, says the tinker. I'd love to do that.

Primoz Roglic rides by.

The red fox is coming, says Primoz Roglic. 

He's ahead of you, says Pablo.

I am the red fox, says Primox Roglic.

Apologies, says Pablo.

Roglic powers on, up a hill.

How come you don't have any team mates? asks the tinker.

I do, says Pablo. Los Chilenos.

Where are they? asks the Kroombit tinker.

Dotted about, says Pablo. We get together at dinner.

Weird, thinks the tinker.

But maybe not weirder than me and Baby Pierre. I wonder where he is?

Baby Pierre is charging up behind them.

Woo-haa! He passes and skids to a halt in the road.

I did it! cries Baby Pierre. But now I'm buggered!

Better take it easy, says Pablo.

They continue together.

Pablo's in Los Chilenos, says the tinker.

Who's heard of them? scoffs Baby Pierre.

Hardly anyone.

But no matter.

What's happening at the front?

Well! Eddie Dunbar of Jayco Alula is soloing downhill to victory having cleverly broken away in the final kilometre.

And who's heard of him?