Stage 4: Amiens to Rouen - Duck

The teams ride out of Amiens, in what looks like an orderly fashion.

 

A breakaway forms. 

Four riders are in it.

Everyone else is saving their efforts for the last 50 kilometres, comprising five climbs.

Sweezus rides behind Arthur in his slipstream.

Jonathan Milan rides by, wearing green.

Hey guys! says Jonathan Milan.

Hey, says Sweezus. That was bad luck yesterday for Philipsen.

Sure was, says Jonathan Milan.

Now you're in green, says Sweezus.

That's how it goes, says Jonathan Milan.

He speeds up, leaving Sweezus and Arthur to talk more about what happened.

If they want to.

......

Gaius finds himself riding behind Team Philosophe.

David sees him.

Come alongside, says David. 

How are you doing? asks Gaius. 

Quite well, says David. Focused on our plan.

At least you have a plan, says Gaius. We don't seem to.

Does Sweezus realise he has five chances at winning KOM points before the end of today? asks David.

I don't think so, says Gaius. I'll speed up and tell him.

Drop back, you mean, says David. I don't think they're in front of us.

What's this? asks Vello.

Are Sweezus and Arthur ahead or behind us? asks David.

Behind, says Vello. Probably hatching a plan.

I don't think so, says Gaius. I'll drop back and see.

He drops back.

Ha! laughs Vello. We'll be first to the feeding station.

Don't we all get the same? asks David.

Do we? asks Denis Diderot. I hope it's not that sticky potjevleesch again.

It won't be, says Vello.

.....

There is Terence up ahead with the feed bags.

He has waved at Tadej Pogacar.

Tadej has waved back.

Vello grabs a feed bag from Terence, 

Duck à la Rouennaise! shouts Belle. 

My favourite! shouts Vello.

What a favourite! Pressed duck in blood sauce.

.....

At last, the final fifty kilometres.

There are five hills to climb.

Cat 4 Cat 3 Cat 4 Cat 4 and Cat 3, in that order.

Will Sweezus get KOM points?

Safe to say that he won't.

So let's go to the finish, 

Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard are battling close behind Mathieu Van der Poel, who looks like he's winning.

But no, it's not going to happen.

Tadej does his thing. 

Shoots forward like a rocket, to gain his one hundredth victory.

(on a bike)