Le Tour de France 2016 - 8. Stage 8: Pau / Bagnères-de-Luchon

Stage 8 is when the General Contenders stopped riding and started racing

They have been there all along

Lurking in the near distance

Camouflaged by the peloton

Biding Their time

Unconcerned with sprinters’ antics

Those puppies of the peloton are there to amuse

Tolerant of the strong men, the classics riders,

Those freelancers who hunt for glory in a single stage win

The lesser riders are allowed to play, allowed a day

Under the mindful watch of the GCs’ teams

The number one men have eyes

Only for each other

Pinot leaps into the Pyrenees, leaving the Peloton behind

Froome, Quintana, van Garderen muster together their mates

And set a steady chase pace

A youngster, Yates, has attached himself to this group of contenders

He is not a threat yet

But they will make sure he is there to watch and learn

Not to win.

Pinot is caught, ingested by the chasing contenders

Spit out the back

Eventually consumed by the riders behind who are less

Ravenous for the win

Contador, wounded early in the race, has been left

To suffer

Alone but for the cameras, and helicopters, and commentators

Who witness his demise with each passing meter and mile

The GC men ignore

No need to attack where there is no threat

The contenders went over the day’s Cols together

They tested with attacks, always caught

No damage

Until Froome caught Quintara

Unawares near the crest of Peyresourde

Taking the lead and gaining time

Over the pack with a dangerous

Peacock of a descent

The yellow is his to defend.