A flat stage from Toulouse to Toulouse.
Terence waits at the start.
Sweezus is warming up, near him.
Ha ha! says Terence. You're not going anywhere.
Yeah, we are, says Sweezus. It's a long circuit.
Anyway, says Terence. I'm not going anywhere.
How come? asks Sweezus.
Belle says I don't have to, says Terence.
What about the musettes? asks Sweezus.
She's doing it, says Terence. Guess what you're getting?
What? asks Sweezus.
Cod bandaid, says Terence.
Better not be, says Sweezus.
Beep! Time to head to the start.
Ben Healy goes past him.
Then Wout van Aert.
Hey, Sweezo, says Wout van Aert, I hear you guys are trying out sticky handlebars.
Who told you that? asks Sweezus.
Just a rumour, says Wout van Aert.
It's not illegal, says Sweezus.
Sure, says Wout van Aert.
Or perhaps it was more of a question.
But they are now out of earshot of Terence.
Terence does not care anyway.
He is excited. He will be in Toulouse by himself.
Roo-kai will surely turn up today.
The flag falls. The teams roll out of Toulouse.
Arthur and Gaius are riding either side of Sweezus.
People are talking, says Gaius.
What about? asks Arthur.
The handlebars, says Gaius.
They're not even that sticky, says Sweezus.
I wonder what's in our musettes, says Arthur.
He already feels hungry.
Terence reckons it's cod bandaid, says Sweezus.
That does sound sticky, says Gaius. And not in a good way.
Luckily, when they arrive at the feeding station, the musettes do not contain cod bandaid.
Cod brandade! shouts Belle. Speciality of the region! Enjoy!
Oh yes! Whipped salt cod with puréed potatoes, olive oil, garlic and cream.
In a squeeze tube.
So Team Condor will not get their fingers sticky.
It's a hot day, and the riders are steaming.
Tadej Pogacar crashes. Gets up and back on.
A breakaway that formed at the beginning continues to lead all the way to the finish.
It's Jonas Abrahamsen and Mauro Schmid, battling for the stage win.
Abrahamsen gets it, by not much.
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