Today is a mountain stage, starting in Auch.
Terence and Belle watch the start, from a picturesque staircase.
Terence looks gloomy.
I waited and waited, says Terence.
Don't worry, says Belle. He might turn up today, in the mountains.
Terence brightens. Yes! Roo-kai might turn up today.
The teams ride out of Auch.
Soon a breakway forms, of fifty two riders.
All thinking of their chances.
Sweezus and Arthur are in it.
What did they say? asks Arthur.
They gave me a caution, says Sweezus.
I thought sticky handlebars weren't illegal, says Arthur,
They're not, but you're meant to clean them as soon as possible, says Sweezus.
Which we didn't, says Arthur.
Yeah, but luckily it was hot yesterday and the stickiness had dried before the inspection, says Sweezus.
In a way lucky, says Arthur. It was actually annoying. Little crackly bits of dried food on the handlebars.
Yep, I pointed that out, says Sweezus. And also there was something else in our favour.
What? asks Arthur.
The cod brandade yesterday, says Sweezus. Belle gave it to us in a squeeze tube.
I didn't think it seemed normal, says Arthur.
It wasn't, says Sweezus, but good on her. It showed we were trying.
Yes, good on her, says Arthur.
They catch up with Wout van Aert, who gives them a thumbs up.
And then Remco Evenepoel.
Good chances today, says Remco.
What's everyone so happy about? asks Gaius, catching up with his team mates.
Pogacar might feel a bit ordinary, says Sweezus. After his crash yesterday.
I wouldn't bank on it, says Gaius.
They arrive at the feed station.
Belle and Terence have just arrived on the scooter.
Terence holds out the musettes.
Another squeeze tube? shouts Sweezus.
Sorry, yes! shouts Belle. Magret de canard!
It would normally look like tender slices of duck breast resting on a bed of soft white Tarbes beans.
But inside the squeeze tube some of the textures are missing.
As if that isn't bad enough, Gaius turns out to be right about Tadej Pogacar.
Tadej shoots up to Hautacam, two minutes and eleven seconds ahead of his rival Jonas Vingegaard, winning the stage and regaining the yellow jersey.
Good for Tadej!
But he does look a little bit tired.
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