MAY MIST MART

I have little to nothing to do with cycling. I don't find the sight of skinny little men with aerodynamic helmets on their heads and streamlined suits particularly attractive. But still, I watch (or should I say; watched?) faithfully during the Tour.

I have been spinning dishes to get a good view and my love and I planned our vacations so that we were always on time in a fresh hotel to watch Mart. Mart's novel ’A Long Escape‘ is still in my top 10 of vacation books that I have the fondest memories of. With every bottle of Badoit, I always think of Mart and his mischief during that Tour.

But Mart is no more. Well, he is still there, but I don't see him anymore. Now I see Dione.

Where Mart always gave me a taste for France with his settings in picturesque squares at a nicely decorated table where the glass was always full and good, I now see Dione in front of a kind of Almere hedge at an empty table that looks like it was taken straight from the Intratuin.

Dione giggles a bit awkwardly because her guest is not there yet, she has a sort of one-two with her technical team which is probably great for them, but I as a viewer do not understand it and see no reason to watch her program later. Mart may sometimes be a bit fussy with his pen and pocket square, but Mart and the Tour go together like Nick with Simon, Viktor with Rolf, and Greece with Gedoe. Mart had actually personally dragged that little table away from that hedge and borrowed it from the first pub that had full wine glasses and a candle. Everything for the shot, everything for a good program.

In Vara magazine, I read an anecdote about Mart Smeets. He was asked if he could tell something about the Tour. The piece would eventually become 300 words. Mart took pen and paper, started writing, crossed nothing out, and submitted his paper to the journalist after five minutes. When she typed it out digitally, she saw that it was exactly 300 words. That is Mart.

And I miss him. Dear, lovely Dione, you seem really great fun, but that Tour, that suits Mart. I propose a swap. Mart in your chair and you cozy with me in front of the screen. I'll pour you a glass.

I have little to nothing to do with cycling. I don't find the sight of skinny little men with aerodynamic helmets on their heads and streamlined suits particularly...