Guess what? Stage 19 has been shortened, due to contagious nodular dermatitis.
In cows, not the riders.
But you can't be too careful.
Shorter. That's good. The tour is already seeming too long.
The teams exit the charming town of Albertville.
Team Philosophe is pretending things are normal.
But things are not.
Denis Diderot has turned up today dressed as a chicken.
Not a whole chicken. That would make cycling awkward.
But wearing a chicken mask.
Denis you fool, says Vello. What do you think you're achieving?
York-squork! says Denis Diderot. It's not me.
Who is it then? asks David.
Remco Evenepoel, squawks the chicken.
Didn't he abandon in stage 14? asks David.
But I didn't go home, says the chicken.
Does he sound like Remco to you? asks Vello.
No, he sounds like a chicken, says David. Are there rules against this?
No rules against chicken masks! squawks the chicken.
Tim Merlier speeds by, but not before noticing.
Great chicken mask, Denis, says Tim Merlier.
Vello is relieved. Tim would have recognised Remco.
Wouldn't he?
Team Philosphe continues without speaking or squawking.
The crowd loves them!
Some even have placards that say Go Chicken!!!!
The fans wearing chicken costumes feel expecially elated.
Even the yellow hat-wearers feel somehow involved.
At the feeding station, Belle waits with Terence and Saint Roley.
My glowing finger needs a new battery, says Terence.
I don't know if the batteries are replaceable, says Saint Roley.
Wah! says Terence. I LOVE this finger!
Along come Sweezus, Arthur and Gaius.
Belle hands them their musettes.
Quenelles! shouts Belle. Filled with creamed fish!
Sounds awesome! shouts Sweezus.
How's the poetry comp going? shouts Belle.
Up the hairy mountain, down the slushy glen, shouts Sweezus.
Belle laughs.
He's in a good humour.
And here comes Team Philosophe.
Why is Denis Diderot wearing a chicken mask?
How will he eat his quenelle?
He lifts it. To reveal his identity. It is Denis.
Everyone is happy about the stage being shorter.
The leaders are approaching La Plagne.
And they are: Thymen Arensman, Jonas Vingegaard, Tadej Pogacar, Florian Lipowitz and Oscar Onley.
No, Oscar Onley is dropped.
Will Arensman keep his lead or be overtaken by one of the others?
No, he wins by two seconds!
And Vingo comes second, followed closely by Pogacar.
Good. The shortened king stage is done.
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