Stage 21: Mantes-la-Ville to Paris - Exhilarating

The final stage. At last!

And not a day too soon.

I'll be glad when this is over, says Sweezus.

You're doing all right, says Arthur. 

Yes, we've all made a good effort, says Gaius.

Now we just need an unbiased judgement, says Sweezus.

What are we talking about? asks Gaius.

The poetry competition, says Arthur. Who's going first?

Shouldn't we wait until the race is over? asks Gaius.

Yeah maybe, says Sweezus. Where are we going again?

You know, says Arthur. Three times up the Col de la Butte Montmartre.

Three freaking times, says Sweezus. What's the point of it?

To make it more exhilarating, says Gaius. 

They ride on. 

They are nowhere near Montmartre.

They draw level with Team Philosophe.

How's the famous poetry competion going? asks Vello.

Mine is complete, says Gaius. Would you like to hear it?

Yes, says David. Is it in Latin?

It is, says Gaius. I find I do my best poetry in Latin. Not that I do much. But I once wrote fine poem about boating restrictions.

I don't think I know that one, says Denis.

Naves non licet/ In regione flava/ Signum non leget/ Non ante naves, says Gaius.

That's quite good, says Denis Diderot. Licet and leget. Naves and naves.

Don't pretend you're an expert, says Vello.

It's those clever repetitions, says Denis Diderot.

Thank you Denis, says Gaius. My latest effort is perhaps not up to that standard.

Spit it out anyway, says Vello.

Digitus lucens/ In summo montis/ Cibum tenens/ Me mirat, says Gaius.

What's it mean? asks Sweezus. Arthur come on, you're good at Latin.

A glowing finger at the summit holding the food surprises me, says Arthur.

Cool! says Sweezus. That's kind of in the moment.

So it is, says Vello. Very good Gaius. I think you should win.

Hey? says Sweezus.

You mean the poetry competition? asks Gaius.

Of course, says Vello. None of us is likely to win the stage. We're at the back already.

Crumbs! Vello is right! They had better get a move on.

Pedal, pedal, puff, puff.

At last they are in Paris.

There are Parisians everywhere especially on Montmartre.

Cheering.

Who for? 

Wout van Aert, who has triumphed in an exhilarating finish.

And Tadej Pogacar has retained the yellow jersey to win his fourth Tour de France.

Or something.