Giro d'Italia Stage 4: Pacing Their Sprinter Back

First and explanation of "Neutralized"  The organizers finally settle on taking the times for the stage at the bell lap, the start of the final lap in the town of Bari.  This was done to protect both the GC contenders from crashes on the wet roads, and to thin down the peloton to let only the sprinters and their lead out trains vie for the stage making the sharp turns a bit safer.  The sprinter for FDJ, Nacer Bouhanni, had the misfortune of having a puncture on the lap just prior to the lap that the times would be taken at.  He had a hard charge to get back, first one teammate dropped back to help pace him back, and then the whole team waited at the back of the peloton to help bring him back to the business end of the race.  Unfortunately for all involved, the rains began to fall as the race heated up for the final lap and the wheels started sliding out from the peloton on the right angled turns.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available for purchase at my artist website, www.greigleach.com.  For this particular painting, you can follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d'Italia%202014/2363379---198213/Painting.html#.U3J9-8_D_IU