Stage 3 - A thrilling third day of adventure through misty mountains and valleys

Hard data of the day
 

Day: Monday 6 May 2024
From: Avéne
To: Carcassone

# kilometers: 157km 
# altimeters: 2656m

Hero of the day

At 30 km from Carcassone, Fred DB suggested to the leading duo that they should be replaced and take over the initiative to break the headwind. Tom VB and I generously accepted. After 2 km, Patrick of Kortweg complained that the group of cyclists were 'hanging on the elastic'. As a result, Fred DB received a yellow card and was obliged to withdraw from leading the pack, which he did. Through his sunglasses, I noticed his eyes were full of despair. Fred DB, you are the hero of the day. It is God who gave him those muscular legs.

Trivia of the day
 

We truly think Fred VT made a sartorial mistake. He chose his transparent shorts, which he intended to wear at the Friday night party, instead of his Vermarc shorts. Since everyone saw the 'shorts with a view', he won't be excluded, but he will be elected for the trivia of the day.

Story of the day
 

I’d like to go back in time, 2000 years ago when the Nimes Arena was built. It was a place of games and gladiator fights. All events were held under the surveilling eye of the emperor. After the fight it was the emperor who decided about the warrior’s fate. This is how the kudos originated. Thumb down is death, thumb up is alive. Yesterday evening our fellow cycling partner Wes B. presented today’s track and planning.

I noticed some trembling in his voice and a bit of shaking hands and knees. It was obvious he was standing in a modern arena. It was a great relieve for Wes that at the end of his presentation he received Sofie’s thumb up.

I was honored to sit next to Koen VD last night at the dinner in the hotel. For those who forgot, Koen is our reporter on the road. He made a perfect analysis of our situation last night, …. still a way to go to Barcelona.

Koen wondered why cycling and skiing didn’t interact. It would be a great innovation if cyclist could use the ski-lift to bring them to the top of the mountain. It is clear that out of necessity people embrace innovation.

But now a little bit more on his role as the reporter on the road.I can only advise to watch out for stories you entrust him with. The press is ruthless, everything can be used against you. I heard people telling tales out of school not realizing all is captured on tape. E.g. during the night someone tampered with our CEO’s bike but it was all admitted to Koen VD during a top notch interview session. I even overheard somebody telling Koen he will ask his wife a new bike for his father-day.

Today was apparently the queen stage. 156km and 2650 altitude meters. The day started a bit rainy and it would only got worse until noon.

Even before the start of the race I was confronted with teasing behavior. I will give some explanation. A conscientious fellow cycling partner, whom I will not mention by name out of respect, wore a fluo yellow rain jacket and matching yellow rain boots. Another fellow cycling partner compared the fellow partner with an overripe banana. Out of fear of retaliation I won’t tell the bullying partner’s name either, I think this is a wise decision, isn’t it Christophe M.?

On the first climb we had a spectacular view on the mist banks between the mountains, braking heavily Christian C. wanted to capture that view on celluloid. Philippe DC asked him why he was so eager to take that picture. The answer was straightforward…. One never knows if I can capture the Gorilla’s in the mist.

At the top of the second climb the three groups gathered together. Despite the cold, rain and misery, the atmosphere was outstandingly good. At the end of the descend, we were all dreaming ‘bout sunny weather, in other words it was time to let the sun in our heart. A spontaneous cantus arose. One two three ….. “Laat de zon in je hart”. 

The cycling clothing choices of some fellow cycling partners also deserves some attention. Let me tell you already the two cycling partners are excluded from today’s official result. In accordance with the UCI regulations Sofie VB and David R. are excluded. Sofie for wearing socks down to the knee and David for wearing one of the rain boots inside out. They will both understand, dura lex sed lex. I consulted with Donald N. and he confirmed me that in bike racing there are no friends.

We truly think Fred VT made a fashion mistake. He chose his transparent shorts, which he intended to wear on the Friday night party, instead of his Vermarc shorts. Because all of the other saw the “shorts with a view” he won’t be excluded, but he will be elected to trivia of the day. 

A strange evolution occurred during the day. Let me explain. At noon our friend Roberto rubbed the back of two partners in order the give them some medical treatment. When we were standing on top of the last climb I noticed that several partners copied Roberto’s behavior. It was clear, you scratch my back, I will scratch yours. 

At 30 km from Carcassone, Fred DB suggested to the leading duo that they should be replaced and take over the initiative to break the headwind. Tom VB and I generously accepted. After 2 km, Patrick of Kortweg complained that the group of cyclists were 'hanging on the elastic'. As a result, Fred DB received a yellow card and was obliged to withdraw from leading the pack, which he did. Through his sunglasses, I noticed his eyes were full of despair. Fred DB, you are the hero of the day. It is God who gave him those muscular legs.

Looking forward to tomorrow’s ride with these outstanding fellow partners.