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Mafia 62: Tour D'Apolyton (Race of Death).
The air was filled with the aroma of Gauloise and garlic and Camembert and bicycle oil. And it was also filled with the sound of the good natured banter between the riders and the teams as they gathered in the Apolyton ‘chat room’, prior to the race: The ‘Tour d’ Apolyton A virtual cycle race through all the lands of this esteemed site.
The various participants were matched with famous riders past and present and the riders then rode in their sponsors team colours. Once started, to the riders it would be like a real cycle race.
Before each stage the teams would prepare their strategy for the day and program it into the ‘cycletron’. This would reconcile the various race plans in real time, to produce the daily winners, their times and placings. Of course, the organisers of the race had prepared the circuit to include a few surprises.!
However powerful the ‘cycletron’ was though, it was known to be prone to a number of in-game bugs. Adding an engine to the bike would be spotted easily by the ‘media circus’ and officials, accompanying the race, but it was thought there would be attempts to make use of other exploits.
So for all intents and purposes, to the riders it would feel like a real race and yes they do have to pedal the bikes and wear the ‘total surround’ helmets.
Floyd Landis was there with team Rah,with his long, lean, ferret lycra. He was busy applying extra water repellent to his fur suit. Francisco Cepeda certainly a high galibier rider, for team Sparrowhawk, was pacing about. He looked fearsome in his ogame crystal outfit with the battlecruiser logo. But he was a friendly enough soul and was chatting to Eugene Christophe of team Duke O’ York who looked dapper in his top hat and tails. Distinctive racing apparel indeed but a firm favourite with the crowds and it didn’t seem to impede his progress. Nevertheless he was fixated on checking his bike, every so often.
Over near the wall mirror was Joop Zoetemelk of team Tuberski He was in an Olympic gold tight fitting suit and reading the race programme in double Dutch. But he was well respected by the other riders, even if they jibbing him for being a few seconds late. Then all eyes turned to watch Joane Somarriba of team Leirosa enter the room. She wore a striking silvery green and yellowy bronze outfit. The organizers were a little worried about the distractive nature of the VERY tight fitting lycra suit with the Chinese princess logo but decided the teams would be single minded in trying to win the race.
Lance Armstrong for team LordShiva entered the chat room and there was a spontaneous round of applause. You don’t get to win the Tour de France a record seven consecutive times, without being someone special. Lance is known to fully analyze and ride key parts of the upcoming Tour course beforehand, so many would have spotted team LordShiva around many parts of the Apolyton circuit already, several times.
Eddy Merckx riding for team Rasputin may have felt a bit annoyed that his five Tour de France wins was surpassed but times and circumstances were different and so he and Miguel Indurain (also a five time winner), for team Adagio were comparing changes in technology and riding styles when they were joined by Bernard Hinault ( a five time winner as well) for team Jonny . Miguel Indurain on the bike, seemed never to struggle or lose his composure. That, along with his quiet nature, led some to characterize him as an extra-terrestrial or a robot but he just laughed and Bernard Hinault laughing added that he was once known as the Badger. ‘That’s an extraordinary coincidence’ said Miguel Indurain. And they looked at him surprised.
‘ I was the first to win it five times’ chimed in Jacques Anquetil as he and team Spaced Cowboy joined the ‘five time’ winners group. ‘And I’ll get the Yellow Jersey on day one’ he added. Actually thought the ‘fivers’ club, you might well do so.
‘Hey’ said Greg LeMond ‘don’t forget about me. I won it three times and then had that unfortunate turkey shooting incident’. Team Ben Kenobi was thrilled
to have Greg as their top rider in the team.
‘And Miguel, don’t forget I stopped your winning run’ pointed out Bjarne Riis for team Nikolai .’if it hadn’t been for that crash ,who knows’.
‘Don’t ignore me ‘ said Louison Bobet the first ever to win the race three times in succession. And his team sponsor Will9 agreed. And not many did ignore him: the most striking feature of Bobet the man rather than rider was his ambition to behave like a Hollywood matinée idol, a sort of David Niven character in a dinner suit. A rival to Duke O’ York perhaps.
Just then Silvère Maes representing team Whoha came through the doors and joined the ‘2 and 3’ wins group. ‘As usual you are late’ chipped Bjarne Riis.
‘My, this is some elite gathering’ said the race organizer MC. ‘ a huge welcome to riders and teams. I know this is a unique race but for now just relax. The race begins tomorrow. We in Apolyton are delighted to see you participate.’ ‘May the best team win’.
With that the official opening proceedings ended and the riders and team started to retire to their private quarters.
The race will commence at 09.00 hours/ heures.
Slowly the smell in the atmosphere changed from musty cigarette, assertive gooseberry wine and signature cheese aromas to springy/flowery neutral scents. The race was on.
The air was filled with the aroma of Gauloise and garlic and Camembert and bicycle oil. And it was also filled with the sound of the good natured banter between the riders and the teams as they gathered in the Apolyton ‘chat room’, prior to the race: The ‘Tour d’ Apolyton A virtual cycle race through all the lands of this esteemed site.
The various participants were matched with famous riders past and present and the riders then rode in their sponsors team colours. Once started, to the riders it would be like a real cycle race.
Before each stage the teams would prepare their strategy for the day and program it into the ‘cycletron’. This would reconcile the various race plans in real time, to produce the daily winners, their times and placings. Of course, the organisers of the race had prepared the circuit to include a few surprises.!
However powerful the ‘cycletron’ was though, it was known to be prone to a number of in-game bugs. Adding an engine to the bike would be spotted easily by the ‘media circus’ and officials, accompanying the race, but it was thought there would be attempts to make use of other exploits.
So for all intents and purposes, to the riders it would feel like a real race and yes they do have to pedal the bikes and wear the ‘total surround’ helmets.
Floyd Landis was there with team Rah,with his long, lean, ferret lycra. He was busy applying extra water repellent to his fur suit. Francisco Cepeda certainly a high galibier rider, for team Sparrowhawk, was pacing about. He looked fearsome in his ogame crystal outfit with the battlecruiser logo. But he was a friendly enough soul and was chatting to Eugene Christophe of team Duke O’ York who looked dapper in his top hat and tails. Distinctive racing apparel indeed but a firm favourite with the crowds and it didn’t seem to impede his progress. Nevertheless he was fixated on checking his bike, every so often.
Over near the wall mirror was Joop Zoetemelk of team Tuberski He was in an Olympic gold tight fitting suit and reading the race programme in double Dutch. But he was well respected by the other riders, even if they jibbing him for being a few seconds late. Then all eyes turned to watch Joane Somarriba of team Leirosa enter the room. She wore a striking silvery green and yellowy bronze outfit. The organizers were a little worried about the distractive nature of the VERY tight fitting lycra suit with the Chinese princess logo but decided the teams would be single minded in trying to win the race.
Lance Armstrong for team LordShiva entered the chat room and there was a spontaneous round of applause. You don’t get to win the Tour de France a record seven consecutive times, without being someone special. Lance is known to fully analyze and ride key parts of the upcoming Tour course beforehand, so many would have spotted team LordShiva around many parts of the Apolyton circuit already, several times.
Eddy Merckx riding for team Rasputin may have felt a bit annoyed that his five Tour de France wins was surpassed but times and circumstances were different and so he and Miguel Indurain (also a five time winner), for team Adagio were comparing changes in technology and riding styles when they were joined by Bernard Hinault ( a five time winner as well) for team Jonny . Miguel Indurain on the bike, seemed never to struggle or lose his composure. That, along with his quiet nature, led some to characterize him as an extra-terrestrial or a robot but he just laughed and Bernard Hinault laughing added that he was once known as the Badger. ‘That’s an extraordinary coincidence’ said Miguel Indurain. And they looked at him surprised.
‘ I was the first to win it five times’ chimed in Jacques Anquetil as he and team Spaced Cowboy joined the ‘five time’ winners group. ‘And I’ll get the Yellow Jersey on day one’ he added. Actually thought the ‘fivers’ club, you might well do so.
‘Hey’ said Greg LeMond ‘don’t forget about me. I won it three times and then had that unfortunate turkey shooting incident’. Team Ben Kenobi was thrilled
to have Greg as their top rider in the team.
‘And Miguel, don’t forget I stopped your winning run’ pointed out Bjarne Riis for team Nikolai .’if it hadn’t been for that crash ,who knows’.
‘Don’t ignore me ‘ said Louison Bobet the first ever to win the race three times in succession. And his team sponsor Will9 agreed. And not many did ignore him: the most striking feature of Bobet the man rather than rider was his ambition to behave like a Hollywood matinée idol, a sort of David Niven character in a dinner suit. A rival to Duke O’ York perhaps.
Just then Silvère Maes representing team Whoha came through the doors and joined the ‘2 and 3’ wins group. ‘As usual you are late’ chipped Bjarne Riis.
‘My, this is some elite gathering’ said the race organizer MC. ‘ a huge welcome to riders and teams. I know this is a unique race but for now just relax. The race begins tomorrow. We in Apolyton are delighted to see you participate.’ ‘May the best team win’.
With that the official opening proceedings ended and the riders and team started to retire to their private quarters.
The race will commence at 09.00 hours/ heures.
Slowly the smell in the atmosphere changed from musty cigarette, assertive gooseberry wine and signature cheese aromas to springy/flowery neutral scents. The race was on.
Second time in two games 
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