Tour '24, Stage 16: No Doubt!

Alas, the fairy tale ending of Mark Cavendish's career did not get told today.  He caught washed away in the sprint coming in 17th for his final Tour de France sprint stage.  Not what he wanted, but he does have the record for Tour Stage wins that he set back in Stage 3 almost a week and a half ago.  Today, it was Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) showing a clean set of wheels to Phil Bauhaus (Bahrain-Victorious), Alexander Kristoff (Uno-X Mobility) and the rest of the peloton.  He left no doubt that given a strong lead-out, he is the best sprinter in the Tour.  It didn't hurt his chances that Girmay is still sitting on the ground 800 meters back up the road.  Because Girmay crashed, Philipsen has moved within 32 points in the competition to wear the Maillot Vert in Nice.  With no more sprint stages, and Girmay's stronger climbing legs, the Eritrean should be able to keep the jersey, but it is much more of an fine edge now.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"No Doubt TdF24-99" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '22, Stage 21: A Clean Set of Wheels

Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) had such a strong sprint that you can barely see anyone else in the frame.  He finished leaving everyone else looking at him.  He did a bike throw at the line, but he could have been celebrate for the last 50 meters given just how much daylight he had over Dylan Groenewegen (BikeExchange-Jayco) and Alexander Kristoff (Intermache-Wanty Gobert).  Kristoff has Caleb Ewan (Lotto Soudal) trying to bump him off of Groenewegen's wheel, but there was no way the tiny Australian was going to budge the veteran sprinter.  Peter Sagan may not be in the frame, but he did finish fifth on the final stage of the Tour.

This is it for the men's Tour, but I will be painting the Tour de France Femmes for the next seven days, so I hope you will continue to follow along.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $90 USD including shipping, and yes, international shipping is available. 

If you can't afford to purchase a piece you could always help keep me going by buying me a cup of coffee at buymeacoffee.com/greigsartc.  And check out my vlogs at my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLGX-TnjXDSkkOidUE6pN1g 

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3895598-148-294403/Painting/a-clean-set-of-wheels-tdf22-142.html

Tour, Stage 5: A Surprised Look

I think we were all surprised that Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) was out sprinted at the intermediate sprint in L'Epine.  Sam Bennett (Deceuninck-Quick Step) took maximum points with help from his teammate (and lead out man) Michael Morkov.  Morkov managed to take more points than Sagan as well (not that he is really part of the competition).  Caleb Ewan (Lotto Soudal) took second in the sprint, so perhaps he has hopes of the Maillot Vert as well.  Sagan can take some comfort in the fact that he did better the erstwhile leader, Alexander Kristoff (UAE-Team Emirates).  Given the results, Bennett is now the Maillot Vert Virtuale, but if Sagan bests him by two or three places at the line in Privas, he will stay in Green for another day.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France-2020/3690183-31-282744/Painting/a-surprised-look-tdf20-26.html

Tour, Stage 3: More Points Everyday

Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) knows more than anyone that it takes gaining points whenever possible to win the Maillot Vert in Paris.  After all, he has won more Sprinter's Jersey than any other cyclists in history (he has also won more World Championships than any other male cyclist).  so it was that he took out the intermediate sprint in Digne Les Bains with the help of his leadout man, Daniel Oss.  On his wheels were Nicolo Bonifazio (Total Direct Energie) and Alexander Kristoff (UAE Team Emirates) the current wearer of the Green Jersey.  With Kristoff not sticking close to Sagan, he left the door open for Sagan to take the jersey from the Norwegian's shoulders in Sisteron.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France-2020/3688470-21-282744/Painting/more-points-everyday-tdf20-15.html

Tour, Stage 2: Helping Yellow

Vegard Stake Laengen (UAE-Team Emirates) was one of two teammates tasked with helping the Maillot Jaune and their teammate, Alexander Kristoff honor the Jersey.  As a sprinter, he had little hope of being able to keep Yellow after the climbs that were being offered up today.  He could take some comfort in knowing that the only other sprinter riding as well as him was on his wheel.  Elia Vivianni (Cofidis) was proving to have brought his climbing legs to the 2020 Tour.  Well to be fair, Peter Sagan, was up the road, but then he is a bit of a hybrid sprinter.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France-2020/3687327-15-282744/Painting/helping-yellow-tdf20-9.html

Tour, Stage 1: A Norwegian on the English Promenade

I was truly excited to see Alexander Kristoff (UAE-Team Emirates) take the first stage of the Tour.  Kristoff has been quiet as of late, but today's stage win gives him both the Maillot Jaune of race leader (his first ever) and the Maillot Vert of the best sprinter of the Tour.  On the Norwegian's wheel was the reigning World Champion, Mads Pedersen (Trek-Segafredo) and Cees Pol (Sunweb).  Just behind those three was the new European Champion, Giacomo Nizzolo (NTT Pro Cycling) and just out of frame in fifth is Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe).  Nizzolo is also the Italian National Champion, but the European jersey takes precedent.

So at the end of the first stage it is Kristoff in both the Yellow and Green Jerseys, Mads Pedersen in the White Jersey, and Michael Schar in the Polka Dot Jersey.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France-2020/3683840-5-282744/Painting/a-norwegian-on-the-english-promenade-tdf20-5.html

Tour, Stage 12: Day after Day

Not only does one need to be an excellent sprinter to win the Maillot Vert, one needs to be there day after day, sprint after sprint.  With some tall mountains on the back side of the stage, it was a large group of sprinters that got into the largest break thus far in the 2019 Tour de France.  Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) added to his lead by taking the sprint in Bagneres de Luchon ahead of Sonny Colbrelli (Bahrain-Merida) and Alexander Kristoff (UAE Team Emirates).  Now it is on to the Col de Peyresourde.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

Be sure to check out my daily videos on You Tube.  If you enjoy what you see on the channel, please subscribe.  I need to get over a hundred subscribers so I can name the channel, "Art of Cycling"

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202019/3361662-61-263530/Day%20after%20Day%20%20TDF19-61.html

Tour, Stage 7: By a Tire

Caleb Ewan (Lotto Soudal) had put in an amazingly fast sprint, but just ran out of road trying to get the better of Dylan Groenewegen (Jumbo-Visma).  The Dutchman beat the Australian by the thickness of a tire.  While it went to a photo, Groenewegen was the one throwing up his arm in victory as the swung past the clusters of press photographers.  Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) easily took the third place position making sure to earn more Maillot Vert points than his two closest competitors. In the frame put out of the podium picture were Alexander Kristoff (UAE Team Emirates) and his teammate Jasper Philipsen -10th and 5th respectively.  That is the third stage win for Jumbo-Visma, meaning only three teams have won at least one stage out of the first seven stages of the Tour.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

Be sure to check out my daily videos on You Tube

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202019/3359083-37-263530/By%20a%20Tire%20%20TDF19-37.html

Tour, Stage 4: Full Out Gallop

As anticipated, it was a mass sprint for the line in Nancy. By a very narrow margin, it was Elia Viviani (Deceuninck-Quick Step) getting the best of all of this Tour's fast men.  That makes two stages for his team, and two for Jumbo-Visma.  Sagan managed fourth on the stage, but was out of picture frame.  I am excited to say that Alexander Kristoff (UAE Team Emirates) proved he isn't done sprinting with the new generation of sprinters taking second on the stage.  Others in this painting include; Michael Matthews (Sunweb) -9th, Giacomo Nizzolo (Dimension Data) - 7th, and Maximiliano Richeze (Deceuninck-Quick Step) - 19th (he was riding for the stage winner.  I'm looking forward to the next couple of sprint stages.  It will be equally interesting to see who is left to contest the last sprint on the Champs Elysees.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202019/3357934-20-263530/Full%20Out%20Gallop%20%20TDF19-20.html

Tour, Final Stage: Coming Right in the End

Alexander Kristoff (UAE Team Emirates) seems to have been there or there abouts in nearly every sprint of this Tour but hadn't managed to win a stage coming into the finale on the Champs Elysees.  Today he came right with his sprint taking the most famous of sprints in all of cycling.  While he may have been helped by Peter Sagan's injuries slowing down the Maillot Vert, he got the better of John Degenkolb (Trek-Segafredo) and Arnaud Demare (Groupama-FDJ).  I'm sorry that I couldn't get Demare into the image, but not as sorry as he was not to be the first Frenchman to win in Paris in a long, long time.

As is usually the case, none of the jersey changed hands on the final day of the Tour (although sometimes the Maillot Vert goes down to the final sprint).  So it is that Geraint Thomas (Sky)wins in the Maillot Jaune.  Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) takes the Maillot Vert, setting a new record of points - eclipsing his own record.  Pierre Latour (Ag2r La Mondiale) takes the Maillot Blanc of best young rider .  And finally, Julian Alaphilippe (Quick Step) claims the Maillot a Pois of the King of the Mountains.  I should also mention that it was Movistar that won the team competition.

This is all for this Tour, I plan on painting some fall classics and the UCI Road World Championships in September.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.


http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France-2018/3196354-120-251072/PaintingComing-Right-at-the-End--T18-119.html

Tour, Stage 18. Worth the Suffering

Arnaud Demare (Groupama-FDJ) has been just barely finishing inside the time limit for the last two days.  The joke is that sprinters are allergic to the mountains.  What makes a fast sprinter usually turns them into bad climbers.  It is all about fast twitch muscles and weight to power ratios.  Today, he got to make all of the suffering worth the effort.  He was able to claim his first stage of the Tour and the third stage for the French.  Nicely for the French, it was Christophe Laporte (Cofidis) who took second, making it one/two for the French and for French teams.  Still hanging about for third was the European Champion, Alexander Kristoff (UAE Team Emirates).  He was able to add to his sprinter points total, but Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) took eighth on the stage despite being banged up on stage 17.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France-2018/3194790-99-251072/PaintingWorth-the-Suffering--T18-98.html

Tour, Stage 13: Making It Three

Just because some of the marquee sprinters have been eliminated from the Tour, doesn't mean there wasn't an exciting sprint in Valence.  Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) came from seemingly no where to claim his third stage in this Tour.  He has now tied his best record thus far.  With two more sprint stages to go, who knows...  Sagan just got around Alexander Kristoff (UAE Team Emirates) and it was Arnaud Demare (Groupama-FDJ).  Demare had opened the sprint, Kristoff closed, and Sagan came last (but first) to the party.  There probably wasn't a half of a bike length between them.  Will Sagan break his own record for total points acquired in the Maillot Vert competition?

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France-2018/3190744-73-251072/PaintingMaking-It-Three--T18-72.html

Tour, Stage 6: Did You See Him Coming?

The two marquee sprinters of this Tour where chatting after the intermediate sprint in Plouguernevel.  Each were marking the other with Fernando Gaviria (Quick Step) crossing the line just ahead of the Maillot Vert of Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe).  Neither saw, nor were able to out sprint, the European Champion, Alexander Kristoff (UAE Team Emirates).  Both were so sure that no one else could come around them (even if they were at full speed), that Kristoff was able to jump them both.  There weren't enough points on offer, with the five main break still up the road, to radically alter the points tally.  But it does let Gaviria and Sagan know that there are still other sprinters in the Tour.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France-2018/3186851-27-251072/PaintingDid-You-See-Him-Coming-?--T18-27.html

Bergen 2017, Elite Men's Road Race: Throwing for His Third

When the Elite Men finally reappeared into the stationary camera lens, it was clear that Julian Alaphilippe (France) and Gianni Moscon (Italy) had been caught by the cream of the men's peloton.  And that we were going to be treated to an intense mass sprint for the line, and for the World Road Championship.  It was looking like Alexander Kristoff (Norway) was going to pay back all of his countrymen and women along the sides of the road in Bergen.  Seemingly he had the better of the two time defending world champion, Peter Sagan (Slovakia).  But it was Sagan's perfectly timed bike throw (a move similar to a runner throwing their chest out to break the tape at the line) that won him an unprecidented third Men's Road World Championship.  It was Michael Matthews (Australia) pounding his handle bars in frustration taking the bronze medal and Matteo Trentin (Italy) finishing just off the podium in fourth.  For Kristoff, while disappointing not to win his home country Worlds, he can consol himself knowing he provided Norway with their only medal in the 2017 UCI Road World Championships.

He will have a tough time equally Jeannie Longo (France) who has taken the title four times in a row from 1995-89 (there was no race in 1988 due to disputes between Russian and the United States over boycotting the Olympics).  She came back in 1995 to get her fifth title.

But for now he can claim the honor of the most consistent Men's UCI Road World Champion!  Chapeau, Peto!

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be 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.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

This is most likely the last race I will paint for the 2017 season.  Thank you for reading!  See you when it all starts again in January of 2018

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3038157-56-239826/PaintingThrowing-for-His-Third--Bergen-56.html

Paris Nice Stage 3 Ahead of Some Big Names

The Irish cyclist Sam Bennett (Bora Hansgrohe) had to be very pleased with his sprint victory indeed
Not only had he been guided through the final kilometers by the World Champion and teammate Peter Sagan but he was able to out sprint the likes of Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) - 2nd place John Degenkolb (Trek Segafredo) - 3rd place and Marcel Kittel (Quickstep) - 4th place  Rounding out some of the other top ten placings were Michael Matthews (Sunweb) and Andre Greipel (Lotto Soudal)  The mass sprint also meant that none of the jerseys changed hands including the Polka Dots of Romain Hardy (Fortuneo Vital Concept)

I apologize for the lack of punctuation but the gremlins are still denying me periods commas semi-colons and question marks  Perhaps I will devise a work around before the race reaches the Mediterranean Sea

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be 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.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2930347-348-195767/PaintingAhead%20of%20Some%20Big%20Names%20PN17-13.html#.WL74zPkrLIU

Doha 2016, Elite Men's Road Race: Classic Style

For those of you who regularly follow my cycling art, you'll know how much I enjoy a title that has multiple interpretations.  This is just such a title.  Does it refer to the classic styling of the Belgium team jersey, the use of racing techniques employed in the Classics (mainly raced in Northern Europe in the Spring), or from the classic formation of the echelon?

A few kilometers before the peloton hit the northern most point of the course, the speed suddenly shot up as teams positioned themselves for the turn into the crosswinds.  Belgium hit the front and using the skill they have perfected riding on the winding flat lands of the North, split the peloton to splinters.  Surprisingly, the Dutch and the Germans missed the move as the main peloton broke into two majors pieces, with others in groups of ten or less scrambling behind.  The Belgium team was being led by Jasper Stuyven, but most of the team was here, including Jurgen Roelandts, Tom Boonen and Greg Van Avermaet astride his golden bike that celebrates his Olympic Gold Medal.  The Norwegian sprinters Edvald Boasson Hagen and Alexander Kristoff were among others that made the first group.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be 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.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Doha%202016%20UCI%20Road%20World%20Championships/2866417-59-227958/PaintingClassic%20Style%20Doha2016-Greig-Leach.html#.WAT54-ArLIU

Tour, Final Stage: When It Mattered Most

Andre Greipel (Lotto Soudal) has won at least one stage in the previous five Tours de France.  At the start of the day, he had yet to cross the line first in any of the prior twenty stages in this edition of the Grand Boucle.  As the German National Champion crossed the line he looked to his right, just making sure that the fast closing Maillot Vert of Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) didn't beat him with his highly effective bike throw to the line.  At least this time he did not.  The sprint for the final stage victory was opened up by the Norwegian sprinter, Alexander Kristoff (Katusha), but he was no match for the "Gorilla."  Perhaps if the line had been another 100 meters, Sagan would have gotten around the powerful German sprinter.  The other Norwegian sprinting for the line was the national champion, Edvald Boasson Hagen (Dimension Data) who crossed the line in fourth place.  Sprint duties for his South African team fell to Boasson Hagen since the very successful Mark Cavendish left the Tour before the Alps to prepare for the Summer Olympics.  Rounding out the top five was Michael "Bling" Matthews (Orica-BikeExchange).  It is a nice fitting end to my day's paintings since the pair had shook hands prior to the end of the neutral start seventy kilometers ago.

This is the last of my Tour paintings for this year.  I am currently painting La Course and will post those in the next couple of hours.  Following that, I will take a bit of a break before capturing the Summer Olympics in Rio in about two weeks time.  I will be painting the lion share of the sporting events, not just focusing on cycling.  I hope you will check back for the "Art of the Olympics"

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.

Be sure to check out my second cycling art book, Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships, available online or through your local book seller.

To buy this painting, follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2828517-162-224974/PaintingWhen%20It%20Matters%20Most%20TdF163-Greig-Leach.html#.V5VrNLgrLIU

Tour, Stage 16: Another Photo Finish

It is stunning to thing that after racing 209 kilometers, the winner of the race is a matter of two or three centimeters, maybe less.  While everyone hoped that the day would go to Fabian Cancellara (Trek-Segafredo) who lives in Bern and is racing his final Tour de France, no gifts are giving in professional cycling.  Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) who was still looking for his first stage when in this Tour de France was just beaten by Peter Sagan's (Tinkoff) bike throw to the line.  This is Sagan's third stage victory matching his Tour debute in 2012.  Cancellara managed a sixth place, but you can only see his shoulder in this painting (again I am limited by what the broadcasts provide).  John Degenkolb (Etixx-Quickstep) grabbed fourth proving his return to form after the horrific training accident this spring.  Micheal Matthews (Orica-BikeExchange) held on for fifth although I am sure he would have preferred to repeat his earlier stage victory.  Edvald Boasson Hagen (Dimension Data) had hoped to take the stage for his South African team on this, Nelson Mandela Day.  Unfortunately ninth on the stage was the best he could manage.  The cobbled climb at just two kilometers left to go proved too much for many sprinters (and others).  Sagan, however, won his Rainbow Jersey on a pair of cobbled climbs in Richmond, Virginia, both steeper than today's finale.

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%202016/2825140-117-224974/PaintingAnother%20Photo%20Finish%20TdF118-Greig-Leach.html#.V40n-rgrLIU

Tour, Stage 6: Making It Three

Mark Cavendish (Dimension Data) was wise to have saved his energy back in Montbezans.  He had the legs to come around Marcel Kittel (Etixx-Quickstep) and Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) as well as holding off both Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) and Daniel McLay (Fortuneo Vital Concept).  Apparently the time that Cavendish has spent on the track has revived his sprinting prowess of old.  There have been five group sprints in this Tour and Cav has claimed three of them!  Sagan's sixth place finish meant that not only did Cavendish take the stage, he also reclaimed the Maillot Vert!  In fact, Sagan has now dropped to third in that competition,  I believe that he has never lost the Green Jersey once he pulled it on in any of his previous Tours.  It seems as though nothing is going to go to script in this Tour de France.

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%202016/2820817-40-224974/PaintingMaking%20It%20Three%20TdF40-Greig-Leach.html#.V37Ge7grLIU

Tour, Stage 2: Intermediate

On every stage of the Tour de France, there is an Intermediate Sprint, this one in the town of Port Bail, brought out the marquee sprinters to vie for 5th place at best (which carries 11 points in the Green Jersey competition).  Fifth place because there are still four riders in the break up the road by nearly six minutes at this point.  It was Andre Greipel (Lotto Soudal) decked out in his German National Champion Jersey, who held off Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) and his own countryman, Marcel Kittel (Etixx-Quickstep).  Kittel is wearing the Green Jersey on loan from the Yellow Jersey wearing Mark Cavendish (Dimension Data).  Cavendish managed fourth in the sprint at this point keeping his lead in the Sprint competition.  None of these riders figure to be in the finale today due to the rather steep climb to the line.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2817826-8-224974/PaintingIntermediate%20TdF8-Greig-Leach.html#.V3lQtrgrLIU