Tour, Stage 17: Climbing Alone, Sort of

The Russian, Ilnur Zakarin (Katusha) may have been off the front riding alone, but given the thousands of fans lining the road, he was hardly alone.  Zakarin had attacked on the final climb up the Finhaut Emosson hoping to do better at the summit than he had on Stage 15.  Spoiler alert... He did.  With the stage finishing just at the summit of the climb, the riders had nothing left to left their arms in celebration, so this will have to do for Zakarin's stage victory painting.  Chapeau!  He has been selected to represent Russian in Rio for the Summer Olympics, but given the systemic doping through the Russian Olympic Federation, it remains to be seen whether if any Russians will be allowed to compete.  The UCI and ASO have such rigorous doping controls, that I am confident that he is not one of those trying to cheat (or he almost definitely would have been caught by now).  But he may be the "baby that gets thrown out with the bath water."

It is wonderful to have gotten into the 17th stage of the Tour without any mention of doping, let alone anyone being kick out of the race for positive blood test.  Perhaps the culture is truly changed.  Perhaps.

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%202016/2826272-123-224974/PaintingClimbing%20Alone,%20Sort%20of%20TdF124-Greig-Leach.html#.V5AAxriAOko