tour de france 2024: stage 11
by Rémy Rossi
But the more I think about it, the more sure I am that the jersey is teal this year— and I’ve never known how the hell to feel about teal.
Jade-d or not
Smack-dab in the middle of this year’s Tour, it’s a true test for the fastmen of the peloton and how they’ve held up. Truly tired legs start to develop and can prevent sprinters from being a part of the action up front, resigned to finishing the stage in the calmer groupetto. But then again, there are extraterrestial riders who mysteriously get better as the Tour goes on. Or maybe they just deteriote at a slower pace in this race of attrition.
Biniam Girmay has retained a firm grasp on the green jersey and continuously fights for top places in sprint finishes. Green for him seemingly means fresh. On today’s stage, Girmay beat out Arnaud Démare and a charging Wout van Aert who had to restart his sprint due to the Frenchman’s deviation. In the end, both Démare and Mark Cavendish were relegated for dangerous sprinting, proving the organizers are tightly enforcing the rules. The triumph marks the 3rd stage win in the Intermarché–Wanty supermarket-sponsored team history, all thanks to Girmay in the past week. I’ll assume that he never has to pay for groceries in France ever again…
MVP Mike
My nomination for today’s most-valuable-pedaller is Mike Teunissen. The experienced Dutchman raised Girmay from the ashes in the final kilometer of the stage, expertly bringing his sprinter into contention. Girmay was wayyy far back in around 15th postion but Teunissen pulled him up to the top three places with only a few hundred meters remaining. The rest of the Intermarché–Wanty leadout has been performing well but today Mike Teunissen was an impressive one-man train who steamrolled the competition. Chugga, chugga, chapeau.
1-2 punches
Stage 12 had a fairytale ending for Girmay but many riders suffered through a very different day. Pello Bilbao and Fabio Jakobsen didn’t even start due to sickness, adding to the rumors that Covid was present within the peloton, and especially prevalent in certain teams such as Bahrain Victorious. Pogacar was caught up in a late crash but escaped comfortably with a quick bike switch.
The highest profile incident of the day was when an Astana Qazaqstan rider went down in the middle of the bunch, eventually catching Primoz Roglič in the drama. He fell hard and awkwardly and finished well behind the pack despite being escorted by much of his team. Luckily, the race organizers had put in a 5 km rule on today’s stage, meaning Roglič didn’t lose any time. We’ll have to wait and see about the extent of his injuries, though. That’s mainly bad luck for Roglič even with the regulatory detail that softens the blow. The Tour de France has not been especially kind to Primoz over the years…
The Power of Green
I’ve already mentioned the supposed superpowers accompanied with wearing the green jersey and Biniam Girmay seems to be catching on. In his post-race interview, he said that “Since I have worn this jersey, somehow I have felt super fast— especially in my mind… From now on, I will paint on this green jersey in all my races.” He’s embracing the colorful sleeves and there’s no sign of him slowing down.
Seeing Green
What does “seeing green” even mean?
It’s like saying “it’s all downhill from here”. Does that mean things are going to be easier? Or that everyhing will spiral downwards and go to shit? Another cute phrase that has about as much utility as a communion wafer has flavor.
“Seeing green” could relate to being envious, since one can “be green with envy”. Or it could have to do with newness, freshness, and renewal. I also remember the chart that came with those cheap mood rings claimed green represented feeling relaxed. I think “seeing green” refers to money. Success and big bucks.
Just listen to the song “Seeing Green” by rappers Nicki Minaj, Drake, and Lil Wayne.
“Thought I was seein' things when I was seein' green
6 G-O-D, CMB, yes sir”
6 G-O-D, CMB, yes sir”
Drake, in his usual egostistical fashion, compares himself to God, albeit the God of his hometown area code (Toronto). He includes mentions Cash Money Billionaires (CMB) that’s a reference to the collaborative label Cash Money Records.
It’s a stretch, I know, but if anyone is the green-seeing billionaire on Stage 12, it has to be Biniam Girmay. Biniam also has a close relationship with God and spirtuality, always making sure to thank Him first in his post-race interviews. The humble and appreciative Eritrean also graciously shouted out staff, riders, family and his community back home in Africa. Girmay deserves celebrating in a swimming pool full of green $100 bills but he’ll probably end up in a muscle recovery ice bath instead.
At least he can look down at his jersey and continue seeing green.
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