A mountain stage. There are three Cat 1 climbs.
It's raining, at the start.
I don't look forward to this, says Vello.
Nor do I, says David. Let's just focus on the finish.
What do we do in the meantime? asks Vello.
Think about something pleasant, says David. Such as food.
I hope Belle has provided something more cohesive than that morbiflette yesterday, says Vello.
She says she has, says David.
The intermediate sprint is being won up ahead, by Jasper Philipsen.
Gaius drops back to tell them.
Jasper Philipsen won the intermediate sprint, says Gaius.
Was Surfing-with-Whales anywhere near him? asks Vello.
Near enough to feel miffed, says Gaius.
Hope he won't blame us, says David.
He asked me to tell you, says Gaius.
That's bad news, says Vello.
Yes, says David. He asked Gaius to tell us. And Gaius has dropped back to do it. Gaius, who is not in our team. Is this some kind of race tactic?
No, says Gaius. I need to pump up my back tyre.
Sure enough, Gaius's back wheel is floppy.
I'm sure Belle will help you, says Vello. And while she's pumping, ask her what's in our musettes.
I already know, says Gaius. Spaetzle and schnackala.
What are those! splutters David.
Not what you think, says Gaius. Alsatian pasta, and small milk buns shaped like snails.
Hum, says Vello.
I might pass on the pasta and just eat the snails, says David.
Suit yourself, says Gaius.
He stops to wait for assisatance.
Belle arrives with Terence, and a pump.
Terence will pump up your tyre, says Belle.
Thank you Terence, says Gaius. Please do it as fast as you can.
Okay, says Terence.
He starts pumping.
Want a schnackala? asks Belle.
Gaius accepts a schnackala. He is surprised that his schnackala looks like a little human, not a snail.
They don't all look like snails, says Belle. I didn't think you'd want a snail one.
Very thoughtful, says Gaius.
Terence has finished pumping up the tyre.
Gaius goes on his way.
Up the Col de Page and down again. Up the Ballon d'Alsace.
Well behind Valentin Paret-Peintre, who has won three KOMs.
But why focus on Gaius?
What's happening at the finish?
Well... there is the Col du Haag.
There is Tadej Pogacar.
Riding solo, to the top.
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