Tour Stage 4: A Cheeky Move

Even before the end of the neutral zone, the part of the stage where the rider process through the start town before the true racing gets underway, you could see Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) itchy to jump away from the dropping of the flag.  He was quickly joined by Luis Mate (Cofidis) and the two set off on a long attempt on a flat stage.  So yes, it was a repeat of the script into London from Stage 3, down to only two men deciding to give the break a go.  I was surprised that the peloton let Voeckler go, it was several years ago that they made the same gamble and he ended up wearing the Maillot Juane for ten days.  On that occasion, he won the hearts of the French people by staving off Lance Armstrong's bid to win another Tour.  This is an original small watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  In addition this painting is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com and will appear in my soon to be self published tome on the 2014 Tour de France, "Book de Tour".  To learn more about the book project, to pre-order your copy, or to get involved in bringing the 101st Tour de France to print please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour  If you would like to purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2398324-25-24-199992/Painting/Sports.html#.U7xZxc_D_IU