Tour Down Under Final Stage: A Final Salute

On the penultimate lap of the final stage of the Tour Down Under a rather large pile up took out a number of members of the peloton, many others were so slowed down that they were never going to see the front end of the race again.  One of those caught out was the celebrated sprinter, Marcel Kittel (Giant-Alpecin).  But not to discredit the powerful fast men that made it to the line, it was Wooter Wippert (Drapac) the lone Dane riding for an Australian team, who threw his arms up in victory on the streets of Adelaide.  Daryl Impey's 5th place finish secured his Points Jersey, and with Rohan Dennis and Cadel Evans (BMC) both managing to be ahead of the crash, Dennis won the 2015 Tour Down Under and Cadel Evans claimed a podium position in his last ProTour race.  Jack Bobridge proved that his efforts on the first ascent of Willunga Hill was enough to win the King of the Mountains Jersey.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  If you have enjoyed reading this coverage of the Tour Down Under, be sure to check out my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France".  You can order your copy from the publisher's website here, http://www.dementimilestonepublishing.com/#!book-de-tour/c1nth

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Tour Down Under Final Stage: Swinging Around the Final Bend

As the lead out men hit the final bend of the 2015 Tour Down Under, it was all about speed and position.  Matthew Haymen was on the front leading out the points leader and his man, Daryl Impey (Orica-GreenEdge).  He was brushing shoulders with the other men working for their sprinters, each trying to deliver their man to the line in the best possible position.  The new variation on the course ensured that the peloton would be flying off of the small climb and hitting the line at speeds topping out at 80 kilometers per hour.  Much faster than any car can hope to go on the downtown streets of Adelaide on any weekday.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  If you have enjoyed reading this coverage of the Tour Down Under, be sure to check out my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France".  You can order your copy from the publisher's website here, http://www.dementimilestonepublishing.com/#!book-de-tour/c1nth

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2501690---194179/Painting.html#.VMSnvNg5DIU

Tour Down Under Final Stage: Whipping Up the Pace

With the second break of the day building up a minute and a half, if the sprinters wanted any chance of taking the victory in the final stage of the Tour Down Under they were going to have to whip up the pace and pull those guys back.  So it was that Matteo Bono (Lampre-Merida) along with others came to the front for his man, Niccolo Bonifazio.  The peloton was hitting sustained speeds of 52 kilometers per hour and yet it took several laps to pull the strong men in the break back into the fold.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  If you have enjoyed reading this coverage of the Tour Down Under, be sure to check out my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France".  You can order your copy from the publisher's website here, http://www.dementimilestonepublishing.com/#!book-de-tour/c1nth

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2501688---194179/Painting.html#.VMSjqtg5DIU

Tour Down Under Final Stage: Less of a Threat

The first break away of the day was quickly brought back into the peloton, mainly because Orica-GreenEdge and Daryl Impey wanted to gain more points for his Sprinter's Jersey.  Once he had crossed the line almost ensuring his standing on the podium at the end of the Tour, this group slid off the front while the peloton regrouped.  While this is a strong group of riders, Peter Kennaugh (Sky), Lars Boom (Astana), Lars Bak (Lotto Soudal) Christopher Juul Jensen (Tinkoff Saxo) and Alex Howes (Cannondale Garmin), none of them represented a threat to any of the leader's jerseys.  With only the sprinters needing to chase the group down, they were in with a chance of taking the break all of the way to the line.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  If you have enjoyed reading this coverage of the Tour Down Under, be sure to check out my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France".  You can order your copy from the publisher's website here, http://www.dementimilestonepublishing.com/#!book-de-tour/c1nth

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2501686---194179/Painting.html#.VMSg2dg5DIU

Tour Down Under Final Stage: Is There a Gap?

The peloton lined up for the final stage in downtown Adelaide, they were facing a 20 lap circuit races through the heart of the city.  While it looked to be a day for the sprinters, a small group managed to pry free of the peloton living in hope for a surprise ending of the day.  Manuele Boaro (Tinkoff-Saxo) looks back over his shoulder to see if he and his compatriots, Alexis Gougeard (Ag2r), Calvin Watson (Trek Factory Racing) and Nathan Hass (Cannondale-Garmin), have managed to shake the main bunch off of their wheels.

This is a small original 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.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  If you have enjoyed reading this coverage of the Tour Down Under, be sure to check out my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France".  You can order your copy from the publisher's website here, http://www.dementimilestonepublishing.com/#!book-de-tour/c1nth

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2501684---194179/Painting.html#.VMSeQ9g5DIU

Tour Down Under Stage 5: Owning the Hill

Richie Porte's (Sky) attack was enough to shed every other contender in this year's Tour Down Under.  He proved that he owns Willunga Hill, twice now riding everyone off of his wheel to take a solo bow at the top of the climb.  However, as in the 2014 running of the Tour Down Under, his victory on Willunga Hill was not enough to claim the over all lead in the race.  Rohan Dennis (BMC) was the last rider to lose the wheel of the climber from Tasmania, but still finished second on the climb, thus saving his Ochre Jersey with two seconds to spare.  Dennis' second place meant that he was the first man to start the Willunga Hill stage in Ochre and to still own the jersey at the end of the stage.  Cadel Evans (BMC) managed a 4th place finish dropping him into third overall, just behind Porte.  Also, Dennis' second place on the final climb, means that Jack Bobridge (UniSA-Australia) holds onto his King of the Mountain Jersey by just 2 points!

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Enjoying this way of learning about a professional ProTour race?  Then check out my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France".  The book is available online world wide, and can be ordered from the publisher's website at http://www.dementimilestonepublishing.com/#!book-de-tour/c1nth.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2501204---194179/Painting.html#.VMPgFtg5DIU

Tour Down Under Stage 5: On HIm Like a Rabbit

I always enjoy listening to Paul Sherwen and Phil Liggett's coverage of professional cycling.  They are both so very knowledgeable and frequently use rather entertaining and descriptive phrases.  This title his how Paul Sherwen described how quickly Cadel Evans (BMC) jumped onto the rear wheel of the attacking Richie Porte (Sky).  Porte had pulled a similar move on Evans in the 2014 Tour Down Under on the very same climb.  This time Evans wasn't about to let the Tasmanian get away again.  The pair was quickly joined by race leader, Rohan Dennis (BMC) and the man sitting in third overall, Tom Dumolin (Giant-Alpecin).  Now it is a drag race to the top of the final climb of Willunga Hill with the Ochre Jersey on the line.  Possibly even the King of the Mountain Polka Dots, too.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Enjoying this way of learning about a professional ProTour race?  Then check out my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France".  The book is available online world wide, and can be ordered from the publisher's website at http://www.dementimilestonepublishing.com/#!book-de-tour/c1nth.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2501200---194179/Painting.html#.VMPdXdg5DIU

Tour Down Under Stage 5: Counting Heads

After cresting the first ascent of Willunga Hill, Lars Boom (Astana) along with several teammates hit the front of the drastically reduced peloton to toughen up the race for his man, Luis Leon Sanchez.  Both men are new to Astana and are eager to show team management what they can do for the team in the first ProTour race of the 2015 calendar.  Showing that he is never one to miss a move, you can see the Ochre Jersey of race leader, Rohan Dennis (BMC) keeping a sharp eye on all of the tactics being deployed.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Enjoying this way of learning about a professional ProTour race?  Then check out my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France".  The book is available online world wide, and can be ordered from the publisher's website at http://www.dementimilestonepublishing.com/#!book-de-tour/c1nth.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2501198---194179/Painting.html#.VMPa3tg5DIU

Tour Down Under Stage 5: Enjoying the Pain

It takes a certain kind of man (or woman) to be a successful professional cyclist.  One asset is the ability to embrace the pain of an all out effort, to almost enjoy the pain.  Jack Bobridge (UniSA-Australia) hit the bottom of Willunga Hill with just over a minute and a half on the chasing peloton.  If he could crest the top of the very steep climb ahead of the rest he should gain enough King of the Mountain points to lay claim to the KOM Polka Dot jersey on the final day of the Tour.  His only worry was Rohan Dennis (BMC) gaining any points on either ascent of the big climb of the Tour Down Under.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To buy this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  If you enjoy reading about bike racing with the accompanying watercolors, please check out my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France".  It is available world wide and can be ordered from the publisher's website, http://www.dementimilestonepublishing.com/#!book-de-tour/c1nth.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2501190---194179/Painting.html#.VMPYbdg5DIU

Tour Down Under Stage 5: Shake Hands & Sling 'Em

As they approached the first ascent of Willunga Hill, the three man break had already lost Jordan Kirby (Drapac) mainly due to the hard pace being set by Jack Bobridge (UniSA-Australia).  Bobridge has stated his intention to try for the Hour Record one week after the end of the Tour Down Under.  Today's stage was an excellent chance to both train for the attempt and to secure his King of the Mountains Jersey.  His compatriot, Gregory Henderson (Lotto Soudal) reached back to shake Bobridge's hand, as he too, realized he could no longer hold the pace.  Henderson's parting gesture included a Madison Sling, a hold over from the duo's days on the track.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To buy this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  If you enjoy reading about bike racing with the accompanying watercolors, please check out my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France".  It is available world wide and can be ordered from the publisher's website, http://www.dementimilestonepublishing.com/#!book-de-tour/c1nth.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2501188---194179/Painting.html#.VMPWR9g5DIU

Tour Down Under Stage 5: Way Off the Front

The early break of the day, started by Jordan Kirby (Drapac), went as soon as the start flag dropped at the end of the neutral roll out.  Even though the participants were facing the longest stage in the 2015 Tour Down Under, Gregory Henderson (Lotto Soudal) and new home town hero, Jack Bobridge (UniSA-Australia) quickly joined Kirby in the small break away.  Bobridge was hoping to get to the top of the first trip up Willunga Hill first ensuring his hold on the King of the Mountains Jersey all the way to the end of the Tour.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To buy this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  If you enjoy reading about bike racing with the accompanying watercolors, please check out my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France".  It is available world wide and can be ordered from the publisher's website, http://www.dementimilestonepublishing.com/#!book-de-tour/c1nth.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2501186---194179/Painting.html#.VMPTWtg5DIU

Tour Down Under Stage 5: Chatting by the Sea

The longest and penultimate stage of the Tour Down Under started innocently enough with a couple of laps that ran along the beautiful coastline of Southern Australia.  Michael Schar, Danilo Wyss and Peter Stetina (BMC) chatted amiably as they road tempo pass the beach in defensive of their man, Rohan Dennis, wearing the Ochre Jersey of race leader.  It is usually the job of the team with the leader's jersey to ride tempo at the front of the peloton, often in pursuit of the early break away.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  They are a wonderful family run art supply company based in the northern mid-west of the United States.  This painting is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To buy this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  If you enjoy reading about bike racing with the accompanying watercolors, please check out my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France".  It is available world wide and can be ordered from the publisher's website, http://www.dementimilestonepublishing.com/#!book-de-tour/c1nth.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2501184---194179/Painting.html#.VMPRJ9g5DIU

Tour Down UnderStage 4: Home Town Boy

The Australian riders in the Tour Down Under have now won three out of the four stages and have been the only racers to wear the Ochre Jersey of race leader.  Today it was Steele Von Hoff (UniSA-Australia) who was able to raise his arms in victory, taking the stage ahead of Daryl Impey (Orica-GreenEdge) and Wooter Wippert (Drapac).  Incidently, the top three finishers all ride for Australian teams, so it really has been a Tour for the local boys!

This is a small original water color and ink painting that is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  If you are enjoying reading about this Tour, please check out my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France" available online world wide.  Google the title to find out where you can purchase your copy without having to pay international shipping charges.

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Tour Down Under Stage 4: Making a Late Break

With several breakaways established and then got by the peloton on the road to Mount Barker, it was these three that tried to go again after the second intermediate sprint.  Maxim Belkov (Katusha) - who had been in the first break away on Stage One, was joined in the late effort by Ruslan Tleubayev (Astana) and Pieter Serry, who is riding for the newly renamed Etixx-Quickstep cycling team.  Belkov was hoping that lightening would strike twice, allowing him to be in another successful break that would stay away until the finishing line.

This is a small original water color and ink painting that is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  If you are enjoying reading about this Tour, please check out my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France" available online world wide.  Google the title to find out where you can purchase your copy without having to pay international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2500582---194179/Painting.html#.VMH6qdg5DIU

Tour Down Under Stage 4: A Change at the Front

With a new three man break up the road, Matteo Bono (Lampre-Merida) came to the front of the peloton along with a teammate to drive the pace in hopes catching the men up the road and of softening up the group for their sprinter, Niccolo Bonifazio.  Lampre-Merida always brings a little color to the race with their bright pink sleeves, shocking green accents and purply blue shorts.  Leave it to the Italians to bring some style to their kit.

This is a small original water color and ink painting that is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  If you are enjoying reading about this Tour, please check out my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France" available online world wide.  Google the title to find out where you can purchase your copy without having to pay international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2500580---194179/Painting.html#.VMH4XNg5DIU

Tour Down Under Stage 4: Coming Back to the Fold

Each stage of this year's Tour Down Under has been progressively tougher for a break away to get away or to succeed.  Today, it took quite a bit to get a four man break going.  One of those in the break was the first wearer of the Ochre Jersey, Jack Bobridge (UniSA-Australia).  Here, Bobridge is dropping back to the peloton having gained his objective for the day.  By being the first over the only categorized climb of the day, he is now the leader of the King of the Mountains competition on the road.  Since there are no more rated climbs on the road to Mount Barker, he will be pulling on the KOM jersey on the podium this evening. 

This is a small original 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 for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  If you are enjoying reading about this Tour, please check out my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France" available online world wide.  Google the title to find out where you can purchase your copy without having to pay international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2500578---194179/Painting.html#.VMH11tg5DIU

Tour Down Under Stage 3: Soaring to the Heights

Rohan Dennis (BMC) took perfect advantage of the steep climb and the favorites watching each other.  Dennis jumped from behind as his team leader, Cadel Evans and Richie Porte (Sky) marked each other, slowing before their final assault.  Cadel put in a final surge to give BMC, first and second on the stage, move himself up on his contenders on GC and it will be Dennis going to the starting gate in the Ochre Jersey of overall race leader.  Strategically, it is an ideal situation for the Swiss BMC team.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  If you enjoy reading about important bike races this way, be sure to check out my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France."  The book is available world wide, just google the title to find an online store where you won't have to pay international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2500076---194179/Painting.html#.VMCcrk05DIU

Tour Down Under Stage 3: Countering the Move

Everyone expected those that want to win the Tour Down Under to make their move on the short steep ascent up to Paracombe.  The two main front runners, Richie Porte (Sky) and Cadel Evans (BMC) didn't disappoint.  While Evans got to the bottom of the climb first, it was Porte who put in the first acceleration.  A move that was quickly covered by the veteran Cadel.  It was looking like it would be a fight to the top and the Ochre Jersey between the Aussie and the Tasmanian.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  If you enjoy reading about important bike races this way, be sure to check out my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France."  The book is available world wide, just google the title to find an online store where you won't have to pay international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2500062---194179/Painting.html#.VMCabU05DIU

Tour Down Under Stage 3: Fighting for Position

The run in to Paracombe included a very fast descent before a sharp right hand bend.  The last two kilometers must have felt like they were straight up a wall.  So if you wanted to have a chance of victory, you had to be at the very front of the peloton at the start of the climb.  I know that the only way I have a chance of being with the group at the top of a hill is for me to go down as fast as I possibly can.  So it was that Michael Schar led his team leader Cadel Evans (BMC) right to the front of the group.  They had just gotten around Peter Kennaugh (Sky), who was doing the same for Richie Porte (Sky).

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  If you enjoy reading about important bike races this way, be sure to check out my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France."  The book is available world wide, just google the title to find an online store where you won't have to pay international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2500058---194179/Painting.html#.VMCX2k05DIU

Tour Down Under Stage 3: Keeping Up the Pace

Jack Bobridge (UniSA-Austalia) has been very attentive at the business end of the peloton in his Ochre Leader's Jersey.  He is being shepherded by a teammate as he mixes it with Team Sky and Astana.  Bobridge has enjoyed his days in Ochre, but with a very sharp rise right at the finishing line to end the stage, he may be hard pressed to not pass it to the shoulders of another competitor. 

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  If you enjoy reading about important bike races this way, be sure to check out my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France."  The book is available world wide, just google the title to find an online store where you won't have to pay international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2500056---194179/Painting.html#.VMCVMk05DIU

Tour Down Under Stage 3: Joining Forces

It took several attempts before a break away stuck on the road to Paracombe today.  The first to make a break stick was William Clarke (Drapac).  Fortunately for Clarke, he was later joined by Lasse Hansen (Cannondale-Garmin), Axel Domont (Ag2r) and Calvin Watson (Trek Factory Racing).  With a full compliment of four riders, the group had a chance to stay away from the peloton as they road through the fire scorched Adelaide hills of South Australia.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  The painting is available for only $50 USD from my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post, and yes, international shipping is available.

If you enjoy reading about important bike races this way, be sure to check out my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France."  The book is available world wide, just google the title to find an online store where you won't have to pay international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2500046---194179/Painting.html#.VMCSp005DIU

Tour Down Under Stage 2: Time to Celebrate

I was beginning to think that Movistar had decided not to show up in South Australia having not seen their distinctive kit for two days of racing, but as it is with all good sprinters, they only stick their noses into the wind when it really matters.  Juan Jose Lobato (Movistar) jumped from 12 places back to win the stage on the uphill sprint to the line in Stirling.  His margin of victory was so big that he had time to effect a phone call pose for his victory salute.  Behind him, his teammate, Gorka Izaguirre Insausti just missed getting around Daryl Impey (Orica-GreenEdge) to make it a one, two of Movistar.  Bobridge finished with the main group to keep his Ochre Jersey, and Cadel Evans (BMC)was just outside of the bonus seconds, finishing in 4th place on the stage.  Cadel says he will be retiring from racing at the end of the Tour Down Under, his home Tour.  This is a small watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for only $50 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

If you love this kind of artistic coverage of cycling, please consider my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France" available world wide online.  Just google the title to discover where you can order a copy without having to pay international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2499494---194179/Painting.html#.VL_WDE05DIU

Tour Down Under Stage 2: Showing the New Colors

The new team of Cannondale-Garmin hit the front of the peloton in force on the final lap around Stirling showing off their new colors and looking for a stage victory to announce their presence in the 2015 ProTour peloton.  The green is certainly bright enough to ensure they won't be missed in the coming months.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  While you are there, why not browse all of the artwork on offer, cycling themed and otherwise. 

If you are enjoying discovering the story of this race through these paintings, be sure to discover my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France" available online world wide.  Just google the title to discover where you can order your copy free of international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2499484---194179/Painting.html#.VL_S5k05DIU

Tour Down Under Stage 2: They're Here

Thomas De Gendt (Lotto Soudal) had already slipped back to the comfort of the bunch, thus helping to ensure that Jack Bobridge (UniSA-Australia) would get to keep the leader's Ochre Jersey for another day.  So it was with a small show of defiance that the remaining two soldiered on off the front of the rather serious peloton.  Campbell Flakemore (BMC) looks back over his shoulder to confirm that his and Cameron Meyer's (Orica-GreenEdge) efforts were truly doomed to failure.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for only $50 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post. 

If you are enjoying discovering the story of this race through these paintings, be sure to discover my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France" available online world wide.  Just google the title to discover where you can order your copy free of international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2499474---194179/Jewelry.html#.VL_Qq005DIU

Tour Down Under Stage 2: Climbing Pass the Fans

The three man break away hit the climb and the beginning of a three lap circuit with almost two and a half minutes on the chasing peloton.  The fans lining what will eventually be the finishing strait were going to be treated to the flashing colors of the fast moving cyclist several times before knowing who would take the stage.  These three, Thomas De Gendt (Lotto Soudal), who has one the Tour Down Under before, along with Cameron Meyer (Orica-GreenEdge) and Campbell Flakemore (BMC) were hoping the GC men were going to make another mistake.  De Gendt, by virtue of his two intermediate sprint wins, was in a good position to take away the Ochre Jersey from Jack Bobridge (UniSA-Australia).  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com for only $50 USD.  Yes, international shipping is available.  For this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

If you enjoy this kind of visual cycling story telling, check out my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France"  Ask your local bookseller, or google the title to find out where you can purchase a copy worldwide.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2499470---194179/Painting.html#.VL_OT005DIU

Tour Down Under Stage 2: Giving Chase

The peloton wasn't about to make the same mistake twice, so stage 2 they were a little more eager to chase down the break away.  Steele Von Hoff of UniSA-Australia joined Roger Kluge (IAM Cycling) along with the boys from Team Sky in the long hard task of pulling bacl the trio up the road.  Von Hoff was on the front representing the team holding the leader's Ochre Jersey, but rather having the whole team do the chase, they left it to others to make sure those up the road didn't gain too much time.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.jackricheson.com.  They are a family run art supply company in the state of Wisconsin, USA.  This painting is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for only $50 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  While you are there, why not take the time to browse all of the artwork on offer?

And, if you are enjoying the artwork on this blog, consider getting a copy of my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France", the complete Tour told through word and over 176 paintings.
Just google the title to find an online retailer near you.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2499468---194179/Painting.html#.VL_K3U05DIU

Tour Down Under Stage 1: Punching the Air

It was Jack Bobridge (UniSA-Australia) who managed to get the jump on his breakaway companions using a small little rise to launch his attack almost in the shadow of the sprint trains of the peloton.  With his win at the line, taking the first intermediate sprint and being the first over the only climb of the day, he will be pulling on at least three leader's jerseys on the podium this evening.  But it will be the Ochre Jersey of race leader on his back at the starting line for Stage 2 of the Tour Down Under.  Not bad for the hometown boy.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available for purchase (only $50 USD) through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

If you are enjoying the artwork on this blog (and the writings too) please check out my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France"  You can find the book through most online stores throughout the world, just google the title to learn where you can get your copy.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2499424---194179/Painting.html#.VL8PTk05DIU

Tour Down Under Stage 1: Getting Twitchy

Surprisingly, it appears that the peloton missed the formula that would catch the break away before the line.  Instead the four, that had gone from the very first kilometer of the stage were still away with less the 500 meters to the line.  The more experience Mazim Belkov (Katusha) and Lieuwe Westra (Astana) goofed, ending up on the front of the foursome, snapping their heads around trying to see which Aussie was going to jump first.  For his part, Jack Bobridge (UniSA-Australia) kept an close eye on the fast approaching peloton.  This game of high speed chess was watched from the back of the motorcycle of the neutral service vehicle, the duo ready to loan a wheel should anyone have a very poorly timed flat tire.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  If you would like to get this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

If you are enjoying this cycling art, you may be interested in checking out my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France".  Google the title to find where you can get the book near you.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2499420---194179/Painting.html#.VL8MNE05DIU

Tour Down Under Stage 1: Over the Top

With only one categorized climb in the opening stage of the Tour Down Under, whoever got over Checker Hill first would be wearing the King of the Mountains Jersey tomorrow.  With such a coveted prize on offer, the breakaway tabled its cooperative spirit as they neared the top of the climb.  Luke Durbridge (Orica GreenEdge) launched the first attack, but it was his countryman, Jack Bobridge (UniSA-Australia) that had the legs to get over the crest and under the Subaru banner first.  With nearly twenty kilometers left to go to the line, the pair of Aussies waited for the other two before racing down the other side of the hill.  With the steep descent it was looking like there was a chance that the breakaway may have a chance.  This is an original small watercolor and ink painting that is available for purchase through my artist website, www.greigleach.com   To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

If you like the paintings you see here, be sure to look into my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France" available online and in bookstores around the world.  Just google the title to find in near you.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2499416---194179/Painting.html#.VL8JEk05DIU

Tour Down Under Stage 1: At the Beginning

The Santos Tour Down Under and the 2015 ProTour Road Racing season is now underway.  Stage One was lit up from the drop of the flag with a three man break away that included, Lieuwe Westra (Astana), Maxim Belkov (Katusha) and Jack Bobridge (UniSA-Australia).  The trio was quickly joined by the Australian on the other Australian team, Luke Durbridge (Orica-GreenEdge).  The now quartet never build up more than a minute and a half on the peloton, so it looks to be a mass mad dash down to the finish line off of the only categorized climb of the day.  This is an original small (4"x6") watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  In addition this painting and many other pieces of original cycling art is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post. 

If this appeals to you, be sure to take a look at my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France" available world wide.  Just Google it to find out where you can buy a copy.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2499294-31-30-194179/Painting.html#.VL7Ymk05DIU