Tour, Stage 17: Taking His Chance

As the remnants of the group of GC contenders neared the summit of the last climb of the day, it seemed that everyone was "on the rivot."  Every time that Wout Poels (Team Sky) would accelerate to bring back another attack, Chris Froome (Team Sky) would let a little daylight open between himself and his teammates.  Finally, as his last two stalwart helpers gave way, Nairo Quintana (Movistar) put in the attack everyone had been waiting for, problem was, he didn't have the legs to push it home.  As Quintana went, Richie Porte (BMC) saw it as the time to give it his all.  Porte must have been able to tell by Froome's slow response time, that his friend didn't have much left to give.  Quintana was quickly caught, and passed, by the Maillot Jaune.  Porte proved a much more difficult quarry for the leader of the Tour.  Froome finally was able to dig deep and chase back onto the wheel of his former teammate, but as they came to the line, Porte was able to keep from behind him.  In the end. Porte gained no time on Froome, but the pair did well against all of their other rivals.  Porte did  not move up on the GC, but closed the gabs.  Froome put time into everyone else, while Quintana dropped to fourth.  That allowed the Maillot Blanc of Adam Yates (Orica-BikeExchange) to move onto the podium in third place.

Tomorrow everyone's legs will be put to the test as they face a seventeen kilometer uphill individual time trial. There will be no place to hide.  It will come down to who can best recover from today's efforts.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  While you are on the site, be sure to check out my other works of art and my two cycling books.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Bear in mind that this is a one of a kind original and once it is gone, it is gone.

To buy this painting, follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2826296-125-224974/PaintingTaking%20His%20Chance%20TdF126-Greig-Leach.html#.V5ANMLiAOko