Tour de France, Stage 20: Leaving the Drama Behind

The Britton, Alexandre Geniez (FDJ) had left all of his break away companions and the rest of the peloton for that matter far behind him as he raced across the valley floor.  Behind the young Frenchman, high drama was being played out for the overall race lead.  Today was the final stage of real racing.  It is tradition that no one attacks the Maillot Jaune on the ride into Paris.  The peloton usually allows the team of the leader to take a ceremonial lap around the Champs Elysee course.  Once the ceremonial bow to the crowd has been completed, someone will attack and the racing will commence in earnest.  Given the profile of the stage, the lead that Peter Sagan (Tinkoff Saxo) has in the Points Jersey competition and the traditions of the Tour, no jersey will be changing owners after the end of this the penultimate stage of the 102nd 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, www.richesonart.com.  They are a wonderful small family run art supply company based in the northern mid-west of the United States.  This painting is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for only $60 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  As it is a one of a kind original work of art, you may not want to delay your purchase, because when it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2585874-137-210122/Painting.html#.VbR9A_lViko

Tour de France, Stage 20: Up the Road

Stage 20 had to be re-routed due to problems with a highway tunnel and a small land side on the approach to the top of the Col du Galibier.  So the break got off up the road going back over the Col de la Croix de Fer but in the opposite direction from the previous stage.  The course still includes the mountain top finish on the fabled Alp d'Huez.  The break away consisting of Ramunas Navardauskas (Cannondale Garmin), Alexandre Geniez (FDJ), Nicolas Edet (Cofidis) and Lars Bak (Lotto Soudal).  None of these guys are known as climbers so I think their primary goal was to get a head start on the two HC mountain climbs of the day.

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, www.richesonart.com.  They are a wonderful small family run art supply company based in the northern mid-west of the United States.  This painting is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for only $60 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  As it is a one of a kind original work of art, you may not want to delay your purchase, because when it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2585671-133-210122/Painting.html#.VbP3EvlViko

Tour de France, Stage 13: Slightly Different Terrain

After three grueling days in the Pyrennes, the riders were treated to what should have been an easy day.  However, nothing is easy in the Tour.  The early break of six including, Wilco Kelderman (LottoNL-Jumbo), Nathan Haas, (Cannondale Garmin) and local boy Alexandre Geniez (FDJ).  Supposedly Geniez was schooled in the starting town of Muret and raised in the finishing town of Rodez.  I am sure he entertained thoughts of winning a stage of the Tour de France on the very roads that he has trained on all of his life.  Making the stage hard were the rolling hills, the cross winds on the tops of the ridges and the oppressive heat.  It has been calculated that each rider needs about four gallons of water to drink and to pour over themselves in an attempt to keep their core cool.  Kelderman is doing just that.

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 for only $60 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Remember it is an original painting so when it is gone, it is gone.  I would advise against delaying if you see one you want.  International shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2581546---210122/Painting.html#.ValOqPlViko

Giro d'Italia Stage 16: Zipping Up

Most teams thinking that the descent has been neutralized, stop after crossing the summit to add more layers of warmer, dryer clothing.  Figuring that the time it took didn't matter, many let their soigneurs wrap them up, tuck in their scarves in, and zip up their jackets.  Notice that it is a fan along the side of the barriers who is holding Alexandre Geniez's (FDJ) bike while he dresses for the descent.  Of course with these weather conditions, hyperthermia was a very real possibility, and a little lost time was far better than a trip to the hospital and then home.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  For this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  While you are there, why not take the time to browse around at all of the cycling art on offer?

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d'Italia%202014/2370850---198213/Painting.html#.U4UrnM_D_IU