Tour Stage 9: Wardrobe Change

Ironically the weather has been miserable since the Tour arrived in France, particularly since it was nothing but sunshine in rainy old England.  The riders have been hard pressed to keep warm and dry with the sudden changes from warm and somewhat dry to cold and wet, and then back again.  With the peloton on the climb of the Cote de Gueberschwihr just riding tempo, it was easy for Chris Horner (Lampre-Merida) to get clear so he could safely pull on his rain coat a somewhat difficult task going up a mountain at forty kilometers an hour.  Chris Horner is another of the senior statesmen of the peloton, only a few months younger than Jen Voigt (Trek Factory Racing).  Horner has found the strength and determination to have fought back from a rather horrific training crash in the early part of the season.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com  It will also be one of the images included in my art book of 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 to print please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  There are a wide variety of incentives most including an author/artist signed copy of the book starting at $5 USD.  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%202014/2402068---199992/Painting.html#.U8MrjMvD_IU

Giro d'Italia Stage 4: The Final Dash for the Line

All of the sprinters may have had a sense of relief when they learned that Marcel Kittel would not be starting the stage due to a high fever that came on during the rest day.  Not that any of them would wish him harm or celebrate his illness.  Nacer Bouhanni (FDJ) took the anger and adrenaline from his chase back on and rewarded his team's efforts in getting him back on with a very dramatic charge to the line around Tom Veelers (Giant Shimano) and ahead of Giacomo Nizzolo (Trek Factory Racing) and Roberto Ferrari (Lampre-Merida).  Where you may ask is Cannondale?  They fell victim to the wet roads and sharp corners just ahead of the flame rouge.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available for purchase at my artist website, www.greigleach.com.  For this particular painting follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d'Italia%202014/2363409---198213/Painting.html#.U3KBz8_D_IU

Tour Down Under: Where Are They? Stage 5

With three out of the four from the original break surprising the peloton by getting over the Old Willunga Hill climb without getting caught.  As they started back down the other side hitting speeds of 100 kph, Matteo Trentin (OPQS) kept looking over his should trying to find the peloton charging up behind.  Jens Voight, on the front, just kept stomping out the rhythm letting the catch come when it may.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that could be yours by visiting my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  Or you could just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of Jens' last season.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2298903---194179/Painting.html#.UuSeXM8o7IU

Tour Down Under: Getting Organized, Stage 4

With just under three kilometers to go it's time for the sprinter's teams to come to the front of the peloton and drive up the pace.  Then to set up their final lead-out men to carry their man out of the wind, rested and ready to lay it all out for the win.  It was left to Garmin-Sharp for Haas and Lotto for the German National Champion, Andre Greipel.  Notice the Lotto rider in red, trying to get more calories in for a final burst of speed.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that could be yours by visiting my artist website, www.greigleach.com or you could just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2297981---194179/Painting.html#.UuNCKM8o7IU

Rocking & Rolling

Once the Tour de France ended it was time to put down my watercolors and pick my Paintstiks back up.  Most of the work that I make (up until starting to do the postcard sized watercolors of the pro tour) is created using Shiva Paintstiks (another fabulous product from www.richesonart.com ) that I have been using for over thirty years now.  This is a rather large scale work measuring 41"x52" that is painted on heavy 100% rag paper and is available for purchase at my artist website, www.greigleach.com.  Or you can just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get a great painting of the 100th Tour de France. 

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2201957-1-0-186227/Painting/Sports.html#.Uh_-Us_D_IU

US Pro Challenge Stage 6: Sweeping Through the Canyons

Team Cannondale was most eager to bring the race back together and with the help of BMC, the team with the Yellow Jersey, set off to catch the fourteen riders up the road before Fort Collins.  Cannondale was riding on behalf of their fast man, Peter Sagan, who already has 16 wins this season.  BMC is just looking after TeJay Van Garderen and his leader's jersey.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that has been created using cake watercolors, brushes and paper from www.richesonart.com, a wonderful art supply company with excellent products.  This work is available through a short three day auction on ebay.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the third US Pro Challenge.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=251325954134

Back to the Tour Commissioned works from 2013

As the collector who commissioned this painting said, "I will go ahead with the Orica Bus commission. No Green Edge collection of this years Tour would be complete without the bus!"  The 2013 Tour's first stage included mass confusion as the Orica GreenEdge team bus got trapped under the finishing line banner with the peloton only 18 kilometers away.  The scramble to unstick the bus was done with a very tight time line, but it was ultimately successful and the race was able to finish at the planned finishing line.  This work was commissioned and if you are interested in getting your very personalized memory of the 100th Tour de France, or any cycling related imagery from "Bike Day" to your first century or your first race, email me at greigsart@comcast.net.

Tour Final Stage: Driving It Home

Mark Cavendish went into today's stage being the first sprinter (or cyclist) to win four times on the Champs Elysees and had ever reason to think today would make it the fifth win in a row.  But the Tour carried four different fast men to the boulevard of Paris, four men each with a powerful lead out and the speed, strength and nerve to be the first to cross the line.  Cavendish may have been hampered by having to chase back on to the peloton after a flat earlier on the cobbles, he may have used to much energy in the chase to have that famous final kick to the line.  In the end it was the new sprinter of Argos-Shimano, Marcel Kittel that grabbed the win, making it four stages for him in the 100th Tour de France.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours by visiting my artist website where you can purchase this painting.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the final sprint of the 100th Tour de France.

This project has been a joy, a challenge and an artistic voyage and I thank you for taking the trip around France (and Corsica) with me.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2184521---186227/Painting.html#.UfKNOcvD_IU

Tour Final Stage: A Wheel and a Stretch

While his mechanic change the rear wheel with the upmost of speed and the French Champion took the opportunity to stretch out his back before jumping back on for the chase back.  He made quick work of it on the descent down the other side of the boulevard only to flat again.  Some days are just that way, although he did make it back on again to finish the Tour in the peloton.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours by visiting my artist website where you can purchase this painting.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the final day of the 100th Tour de France.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2184489---186227/Painting.html#.UfKAU8_D_IU

Tour Final Stage: Up the Champs Elysees

With the sprinters and their teams ramping up the pace and the exhaustion of twenty one days of full on racing some of those at the back began to have trouble holding on to the tail of the peloton.  Or it could be that they just wanted to savor the spectacular view of the Arc at the top of the rise lined with French flags a carefully trimmed trees.  The green banner first marks the sprint point of the day which will then change out to the final finishing line of the 100th Tour de France.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours by visiting my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the 100th Tour de France.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2184487---186227/Painting.html#.UfJ-1s_D_IU

This painting is sold.

Tour Final Stage: Looking for Triumph

The Tour organizers pulled out all of the stops for the 100th Tour de France's finish on the Champs Elysees including having the peloton circumnavigate the L'Arc du Triomphe ten times on their way to the finishing line.  This change made for a faster finale since the riders didn't have to make the sharp U-turn two thirds of the way up the cobbled boulevard, but could stay at full speed like they do when turning around on the Place du Concorde.  Plus it sure made for a stunning backdrop for the speeding peloton.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard and is available for purchase at my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the historic final stage of the 100th Tour de France.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2184483---186227/Painting.html#.UfJ998_D_IU

This painting is sold.

Tour Final Stage: In the Gutter

It should come as no surprise that there was a break away on the cobbles of the Champs Elysees and that one of the attackers was Juan Antonio Flecha.  He was joined by the Brit, David Miller, who hoped against hope to surprise the sprinters and claim the victory on the boulevard of Paris.  It was probably a fool's errand with four marquee sprinters all with strong, fast lead out trains ready to bring their man to the finishing line first.  They are riding along the gutter to avoid the rough cobbles of the boulevard of Paris.  Hoping that the granite curb stones are smooth brings a risk of flats and clipping a pedal against the curb.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours byvisiting my artist website where you can purchase this painting.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the final stage of the 100th Tour de France.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2184481---186227/Painting.html#.UfJ8-c_D_IU

Tour Final Stage: Bringing the Yellow into Paris

Another of the final day traditions is for the team holding the Malliot Jaune to lead the peloton onto the Champs Elysees and around the finishing circuit in a victory lap of honor.   Once this has been completed, it is now time to start racing, and to quote Phil Liggett, "They throw off the sand bags..." and get down to it.  You may be able to tell that the teams of the sprinters are right behind Team Sky ready to bring their fast men first across the finishing line.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available for purchase at my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the final day of the 100th Tour de France.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2184479---186227/Painting.html#.UfJ7rc_D_IU

Tour Final Stage: Cheers!

Chris Froome and the whole of Team Sky could finally relax on their ride into Paris, all that had to be done is get to the three kilometers to go marker, then he will have won the 100th Tour de France.  Riders always trick out their bikes to reflect their leaders jersey, Froome is riding a bright yellow bike, but this is the first time I have seen a team car get a new paint job, changing all of the bright blue accents to yellow.  Froome and his Director Sportif clinked glasses in a toast to the team's success and the second British Tour de France victory in as many years.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available for purchase at my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the 100th Tour de France.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2184477---186227/Painting.html#.UfJ638_D_IU

Tour Final Stage: Champagne in Hand

The final day's ride towards Paris is filled with traditions, so during the promenade phase of the stage, the Malliot Jaune will take a celebratory glass of champagne usually shared around with the team both those on and off the bikes.  Like every thing else that happens on the roads of the Tour, this, too, is done under the gaze of the hundreds of thousands of fans that will line every kilometer of every stage of the Tour.  Chapeau to Team Sky and Chris Froome!  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours by visiting my artist website where you can buy this painting.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the 100th Tour de France.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2184475---186227/Painting.html#.UfJ5yMvD_IU

Tour Final Stage: On the Final Climb

The Tour rolled out from the grounds of the Palace of Versailles twisting it way towards Paris at the pace of a promenade.  With the Yellow Jersey firmly decided as well as the rest of the jerseys, the peloton honored the long standing tradition of no one attacking the GC or jersey positions on the ride into the City of Lights.  The route organizers tossed in two small hills but there weren't enough points to change the destiny of the Polka Dot Jersey and the climbs were just gotten over.  Niki Terpstra was out on the front, practicing for the lead out that will be required on the Champs Elysees in a couple of hours time.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard and like all of the works in this series of the 100th Tour de France, was painted using cake watercolor, brushes and paper from the www.richesonart.com  This painting is available for purchase at my artist website, just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the final day of the 100th Tour de France.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2184473---186227/Painting.html#.UfJ4_8vD_IU

Tour Stage Twenty: A Victorious Future

The 100th edition of the Tour de France was highly populated with young exciting, strong riders from around the world.  This young Colombian, Nairo Quintana, at the age of 23 shows that the future of cycling is in great hands.  He has been fighting on every mountain stage of the Tour, sometimes going too soon and sometimes not using the best strategies, but today, it all came right.  His team had ridden hard on the front of the peloton for hours, then his teammate Valverde attacked the group dispatching everyone but Porte, Froome, Contrador and Rodriquez.  After an attack by the Katusha rider, some counters by Froome, Quintana attacked as soon as he caught back up to Froome.  He counted on Froome not being able to respond having just tried a hard push into his red zone.  Having got a gap on the others, he was off to his first stage victory in his first Tour de France.  He will ride into Paris having one a stage, the White Jersey and the Polka Dot Jersey all in his first visit to the Tour and at the young, young age of 23!  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available for sale at my artist website.  Just follow the direct link to get your piece of the 100th Tour de France.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2183723---186227/Painting.html#.UfCe3cvD_IU

Tour Stage Twenty: The Three On Top

First Rodriquez went, and Quintana and Froome chased him back.  Then Froome went, twice, and Quintana and Rodriquez chased him back, but on the second return, Quintana jumped them both.  After their attacks neither Rodriquez had the answer for the Colombian, and when Rodriquez actually went after Quintana, Froome lost the Spaniard's wheel.  But here they are the three top GC men of the 100th Tour de France on top of the final Alpine climb in this running of the Tour.  Whoever gets over the line first will be able to claim the Polka Dot Jersey for the best climber in the 100th Tour de France.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours by visiting my artist website where you can purchase this painting.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the 100th Tour de France.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2183721---186227/Painting.html#.UfCdJcvD_IU

Tour Stage Twenty: A Little Too Combative

Rolland may have taken the "Most Combative" award a little too far on the third climb of the day.  Anton is a teammate of Nieve, who is just behind Rolland in KOM points and is trying to nip the points away from Rolland as a defensive move.  Rolland wasn't having any of it and swerved off of the wheel of his teammate and blocked Anton's sprint for the summit.  I don't know if he was relegated for this blatant violation of sprinting rules, but the end of the day's events made this action a mute deed in the end.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that could be yours by visiting my artist website where you can purchase this painting.  Why you are there, why not browse around at all of the art on offer?  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the story of the 100th Tour de France.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2183707---186227/Painting.html#.UfCWiMvD_IU

Tour Stage Nineteen: A Blistering Pace

With the race for the Polka Dot Jersey and the stage win going on 10 minutes up the road, there was another battle for GC positions going on in the Malliot Jaune Group.  Saxo Tinkoff, the team of second and third overall (Contrador and Kreuziger) went to the front to lift the pace and see who they could put into difficulty.  While Froome has a very solid lead for the overall, there is currently only 45 seconds separating second place from fifth place and easy amount to overcome on a mountain stage.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours by visiting my artist website where you can buy this painting.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of art of the 100th Tour de France.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2183663---186227/Painting.html#.UfCEzM_D_IU