Act 4
The Merchant of Llanberis
Daytime. Sporadic rain. HUGH and BRIAN are commentating.
HUGH. Eleven in a group have got away
Look they to reach Llanberis at the fore.
Madrazo speeds as though he were a Porsche
The crown of King of Mountains he pursues,
And rides ahead like he would seek to gain
A pound of flesh from anyone who dare
To challenge him!
BRIAN. The riders of Team Sky in black do mass
Upon the front, as if they block the light.
A shadow casting forward upon the road.
HUGH. Hath not a rider from Team Sky eyes?
Hath not a team ambition, pride and spirit?
If you prick them, do they not bleed?
If you tickle them, do they not laugh?
If you poison them, do they not die?
If you wrong them, shall they not revenge?
And if you break away from them, shall they not chase?
Sky will never easy give the gold from Wiggo’s back.
BRIAN. The other teams do gladly let them work.
But harken thou! Doth Martin spring a shock!
HUGH. The quality of Martin is not strained,
But down on drops gets he,
And dances ‘pon the pedals,
His power masked behind a fluid gait.
Action is his eloquence.
BRIAN. And with him flees the sprightly Quintana!
Alert to the movement, poised to surge.
Good Wiggo senses danger, springs to action,
Returning both men back from whence they came.
HUGH. And now attacks Bauer! Surely can this be
A stage where every man must play a part.
The group ahead a slight advantage keeps,
A flurry of attacks from off the front.
Heroic efforts one and all.
BRIAN. Conditions good, fair terms and villains minds
Conspire to stir up the bunch behind.
Eleven men, caught just within the sight
Of the flamme rouge, as peloton takes flight.
And finally, their hopes are swept away
Exhaustion be their only prize this day.
HUGH. Omega Pharma – Quickstep now make pace
And string the riders out along the road.
Petacchi will not twice let Cav be boxed,
And ere the erstwhile sprinter doth reward
The efforts of his teammate with a win!
BRIAN. The classification overall remains,
Wiggo and Sky retain the lead they’ve earned.
But in this race, now truth be told,
Not all who glister in it can wear gold.
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