Greig Leach

As Maeva Squiban (UAE Team ADQ) rode alone to the line in Amberet she had plenty of time to celebrate with the local fans lining the barriers. She blew kisses to those cheering her before waving her arms encouraging them all to cheer louder. She finally did the more traditional two-armed salute as she crossed the line a full minute and nine seconds ahead of her countrywoman Juliette Labous (FDJ-Suez) who was another four seconds ahead of the Maillot Jaune - Kim Le Court. Her third place added two more seconds to the four she picked up twelve kilometers ago. As I was working on this painting, I was so happy with the asymmetrical composition that I thought it would be best to leave the red race director's car out of the painting. Ah, the advantages of not being a photographer...