frtour1-1, Exercise 2: An imaginary stage

Model answer (check the details), using eight terms:

The stage starts in a sunny market town, and soon after the flag drops an échappée of five riders slips away from the peloton. The domestiques of the big teams settle in behind and set a steady tempo, content to let the breakaway have a gap while the sprinteurs conserve energy for the finish. The voiture-balai follows at the back, ready to collect anyone who abandons.

As the road climbs the first long mountain, the grimpeurs attack and the yellow-jersey team's domestiques fall away one by one. At the top the leader, in the maillot jaune, is alone with his rivals. On the descent they race for the line, passing the flamme rouge with the stage win at stake. Far behind, the lanterne rouge crosses the line to cheers from the crowd.

Care: the story is invented, so there are no records to check. Use it to practise the vocabulary.