Tour, Stage 11: Echelon

The title of this piece describes this feature of the peloton.  The riders will form a diagonal line when they are hit by a cross wind.  To gain the most advantageous slipstream from the rider in front of you, you must tuck in as close as possible to his rear wheel.  When the wind comes from the rider's left, you shift about 45% to his right to gain the same advantage.  A rider can use as little as 70% of the energy that the rider on the is expending.  However, there is eventually no room left on the right of the road, so little gaps in the peloton can open.  This is the second, rather large peloton that is suffering from one of those gaps, that is struggling hard to get back onto the group containing the Maillot Jaune.  Two French teams, Fortuneo Vital Concept and FDJ are taking the responsibility for bring back those up the road.  At this point, the Maillot a Pois of Thibaut Pinot (FDJ) is losing time on the general classification, however, that part of the competition is out of reach for Pinot.  At least there was only two points total in the King of the Mountain competition in this stage, so he really has no big worries.  Tomorrow, however, the beast of Provence, Mont Ventoux, lurks at the end of the stage.

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, just follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2823088-75-224974/PaintingEchelon%20TdF75-Greig-Leach.html#.V4acXLgrLIU