Tour Stage 13: Where Is Porte?

The elite of the peloton where plodding up the final climb, each watching the other, all of the top ten in attendance.  Quite suddenly, Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) swung out of the line and went to the other side of the road, Bauke Mollema (Belkin Pro Cycling) and Romain Bardet (AG2R) were sure this was the attack they all feared.  Instead, Nibali turned to look back over his shoulder trying to find the man in second place on the GC, Richie Porte (Team Sky).  Surprisingly, Porte wasn't there.  He had hit the wall (as it were), perhaps cramps, exhaustion, or the pressure of being the unlooked for team leader, regardless, he was no longer amongst the contenders.  Once that had registered through the group, they were all ready to go hard, each hoping to move up to the placing soon to be vacated by the Tasmanian from Team Sky.  Each began to dream of Nibali popping too, and the Maillot Jaune would be theirs.  Tejay van Garderen (BMC) didn't bike on Nibali's slide to the side, but watched the Astana rider, just in case.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com and will be included in my soon to be self published book of the 101st Tour de France art, "Book de Tour."  To learn more about the book project, to pre-order a copy, or to discover how you can be a part of bringing the art of the sport we love to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  There are some excellent incentives for backers at every level starting at $5 USD.  Everyone who backs the project will have their name included in the special thanks page.  If you would like to purchase this painting directly, just follow the link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2404834---199992/Painting.html#.U8nE3s_D_IU