US Pro Challenge Stage 6: A Familiar Salute

Familiar salute, more because of who is making it.  Peter Sagan got his third stage win in the US Pro Challenge and his 17th win of the 2013 season.  Obviously his plan of arriving two weeks ahead of the start in Aspen to train and acclimate to the altitude work out well.  As did his team's hard work bringing back the 14 man break away, he certainly knows how to honor their work.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that could be yours by bidding in 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 running of the US Pro Challenge.

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US Pro Challenge Stage 6: Off the Front, Down to the Plains

Sensing that the break had too many passengers, first Geschke of Argos-Shimano and then Edmondson, Rogers and Megias jumped away from the others in the hopes of out racing the charging peloton to the finishing line in Fort Collins.  Mick Rogers is at the back of the group wearing the Orange Jersey of most courageous rider that he won on the last road stage into Beaver's Creek on Thursday.  This jersey is not done by points or time but is award each day by determination of the race referees much like the red racing numbers of the Tour de France.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available in 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 running of the US Pro Challenge.

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US Pro Challenge Stage 3: Two Out of Three Ain't Bad

Peter Sagan came to Colorado two weeks ahead of the race in order to acclimate to the altitude, apparently he also came to win stages at the US Pro Challenge.  He just held off Mezgec of Argos-Shimano to claim his second stage win out of three stages raced.  Not bad for the young Slovakian.  You can see Anderson of Team Optum looking over, I'm guessing pleased to be within a bike length of the sprinting legend.  And the legend is only 23 years old.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours in a short three day auction on ebay.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the US Pro Challenge.

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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: One K to Go

Swinging out of the tunnel under the Place du Concorde and around the "Norwegian Corner" the sprinter's lead out men are at full bore as they race under the final Flame Rouge of the 100th Tour de France.  The red kite denotes just one kilometer left to the finishing line and it is time for the fast men to have their lead out men at full speed if they want to be first across the line.  This Tour has had wonderful sprints with four fast men competing for stage victories.  Peter Sagan easily won the Green Jersey of most consistent sprinter, but only manage a single stage victory on a small mountain stage.  But then the Malliot Vert is for consistency and he was second and third more than any single sprinter won stages.  Today he didn't even make the top three in the mad dash for the line.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours by visiting my artist web site where you can purchase this painting.  While you are there, why not browse around at all of the art that is on offer.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the final kilometer of the final stage of the 100th Tour de France.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2184513---186227/Painting.html#.UfKLiM_D_IU

Tour Final Stage: Lining Up the Trains

With just two laps to go and the break within seconds ahead, the sprinter's teams started to get themselves organized.  They, too, were trying to ride the gutter, the constant shaking and jarring of the cobbles had to be getting to everyone's arms, legs and butts.  So far it is Omega Pharma Quickstep on the front for Mark Cavendish with a bit of Argos-Shimano mixed in for their man Marcel Kittel.  With the kinds of speeds the trains were turning over, the small break was sure to be caught well within the final kilometer.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that could 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 stage of the 100th Tour de France.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2184491---186227/Painting.html#.UfKBhc_D_IU

Tour Stage Fourteen: Pure Joy

Sprinting from the rear of the break, Matteo Trentin, surprises everyone (including himself) and gets the win ahead of two sprinters, Albasini and Rojas.  That makes the third win for Omega Pharma Quickstep and two in a row for the team.  The big winner however, was Andrew Talansky, who pulled back almost seven minutes on the Yellow Jersey and all of the GC contenders, climbing way up the leader board into 12th place.  It was good to see Talansky pay back the hard work of David Miller and the faith of the team.  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.  Too bad the French couldn't get their first stage win, tomorrow is their big day, Bastille Day, when every French cyclist wants to be victorious in the Tour.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2182589---186227/Painting.html#.Ue3fD8_D_IU

Tour Stage Fourteen: Whatever They Have Left

They break finally caught up with Julien Simon (he is the fourth rider in this painting) under the shadow of the red kite, they were digging deep into whatever energy they had left.  Bakelants has his head down trying to repeat the feat that placed him in the Malliot Jaune in the early stages of the 100th Tour de France.  Everyone here is on the rivot trying to pull out a stage win for all of their efforts in the long, long breakaway.  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 very own artistic piece of the 100th Tour de France.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2182585---186227/Painting.html#.Ue3dkM_D_IU

Tour Stage Twelve: Pure Speed

Every thing looked perfect for Mark Cavendish, he had gotten past the wrecks and had a perfect lead out by Steegmans, but then nothing is guaranteed in the Tour or a sprint.  Today I saw something I thought I would never see, someone start a sprint behind Mark, and actually get around him.  Even Paul and Phil had given the race to Mark and were equally surprised when Kittel got the better of him on the line.  Although the bigger look of surprise was on Cav's face when he looked over at Marcel and realized he couldn't answer the surge.  Both of them were over a bike length ahead of the Green Jersey of Peter Sagan,  Katsuha's Kristoff continued his status of also ran.  This is definitely an exceptional gathering of sprinters for the 100th Tour de France.  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 Kittel's third stage win in the 100th Tour de France.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2182399---186227/Painting.html#.Ue2mic_D_IU

Tour Stage Ten: Stretching Out

Another long stage required a little stretching and the back of the peloton.  This is the French National Champion, Arthur Vichot even if in this stretching angle you can see the bold tricolors of his championship kit.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available through my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your own piece of the 100th Tour de France.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2179521---186227/Painting.html#.UeS7dcvD_IU

Tour Stage Seven: Now Sagan Has His

Peter Sagan rewards the plans and hard work of his teammates with a brilliant sprint to take the his first victory in the 100th Tour de France.  For those of you keeping track, their are four marquee sprinters in the Tour; Cavendish, Sagan, Griepel and Kittel, each now have a stage win.  With the Pyrenees on the horizon it will be a while before we discover who will break the four way tie.  But Team Cannondale prove the strong team with the great strategic plan to take advantage of the traditional inability of sprinters to get over the big hills when their guy defies tradition.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available at my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of art from the 100th Tour de France.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2178365---186227/Painting.html#.UeIblMvD_IU

Tour Stage Seven: Dragging the Sprinters Back

With Peter Sagan on the front of the peloton along with his team, the sprinters that had been dropped got to work chasing down their rival.  With Greipel, Cavendish and Kittel behind, their 3 separate teams set about dragging them back to the main peloton.  With three teams chasing a single team is should have been quick straight forward work. Later post will tell you how it worked out for Sagan and the other three (all who have a stage win in the 100th Tour).  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%202013/2178359---186227/Painting.html#.UeIXAMvD_IU

Tour Stage Six: Multiple Trains at 3 K

Just 3 kilometers left to race and the sprinter's teams are all fighting to get their lead out trains together.  Argos-Shimano on the left for Marcel Kittel, and Omega Pharma, Lotto and Sky for their respective hopefuls.  Oddly missing from the scene is Team Cannondale for Sagan, the team does seem to have a great knack for hiding from the wind until the last possible moment.  And at that moment he is very good a bouncing.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available through my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your very own piece of the 100th Tour de France.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2178305---186227/Painting.html#.UeH_m8vD_IU

Tour Stage Five: Bag Lunch

In an average stage or single day race, a bike racer will burn roughly 6,000 calories during the race.  If you add in the 1,500-2,000 calories of a normal day for the average person, these racers need to eat a great deal of food, and we are not talking fries, burgers and ice cream cones.  Besides carefully considered breakfasts and dinners, the riders will go through a feed zone on every road stage.  In the feed zone the riders will grab a musette (a canvas bag full of special energy drinks, bars and some tasty treat to make them happy.  The zone can be a very dangerous area with racers concentrating on finding their team worker, grabbing the bag and then rifling through its contents.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours through a visit to my artist web site.  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%202013/2178281---186227/Painting.html#.UeHzi8vD_IU

Tour Stage Four: All Tucked In

Team Argos-Shimano had the dubious honor of being the first team to roll down the start ramp in today's Team Time Trial.  Dubious, because the teams start in reverse order of their ranking, so going first means you are in last place.  However, they weren't in last place at the end of the day.  Argos-Shimano had the first Yellow Jersey, White Jersey and Green Jersey of the Tour, admittedly they all belong to the same Marcel Kittel.  The TTT is a race against the clock where the time of the 5th rider is the time given for the stage, that allows four team members to drop off, but it is always best to bring the whole team together.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard, and like all of the work in this series, it was created using cake watercolors, brushes and paper from www.richesonart.com  In addition, this work is available at my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  You know you want a piece of art from the 100th Tour de France.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2175199---186227/Painting.html#.Udt6jc_D_IU

Tour Stage Three: Winding Up the Trains

The Tour organization changed the rules for the intermediate sprints, setting only one sprint per stage and increasing the number of sprint points available.  This change made the sprinters react with the original intended intensity of racing.  In today's stage both Sagan's Cannondale Team and Kittel's Argos-Shimano Team set about leading their men out for as many points as possible (most having gone to the five man break away up the road).  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard and it is available 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%202013/2174697---186227/Painting.html#.UdodkM_D9Ms

Tour Stage One: Last Sprinter Upright

Marse Kittel, one of the four main sprinters of the Tour, was the one who managed to stay upright when his rivals hit the road with six kilometers to go.  He had enough of a final kick to the line that he had time to throw out his arms in a victory salute and yell out his joy.  His bike handling and incredible acceleration earns him the first Malliot Jaune of the 100th Tour de France.  It is not uncommon to have crashes in the first days of the big stage races, as the riders are nervous and a victory means the leaders jersey, this makes everyone take risks to be in the right position in the peloton.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available through a 3 day auction on ebay.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to bid on this little piece of the Tour's first stage in Corisca.

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Tour Stage One: Jumping Without Cavendish

The finish of the first stage of the 100th Tour de France had all kinds of drama, that started with the team bus of Orica-GreenEdge getting stuck under the finishing banner with the peloton just 15 kilometers away and riding hard.  As the organizers scrambled to free the bus, it was decided to have the race end at the three kilometer to go banner.  Then they managed to free the bus, but then the confusion of changing the finishing point back to its original location may have rattled to many of the sprinters and their lead out men.  At the six kilometers to go point there was a spectacular crash that had Mark Cavendish, Peter Sagan and about 30 others on the ground.  After all of the work Omega Pharma Quickstep had put in, Gert Steegmans jumped from the rest in hopes of capitalizing on all of the confusion in the remaining peloton.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that could 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%202013/2174607---186227/Painting.html#.UdoNlc_D9Ms

Dauphine Stage Seven: Saying Thank You

Damuseau of Argos-Shimano wearing the Polka Dot Jersey, pats his teammate on the back to thank him for all of the hard work thus far in the stage.  I am guessing his teammate has just blown and can't keep the pace anymore and imagine he is getting a "don't worry about it" hug.  Or maybe Damuseau is just a touchy-feely guy, I did see him with his hand on the back of an Astana rider just a few minutes later.  The Europcar rider right behind these two is David Veilleaux, the first wearer of the Malliot Jeune.  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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Criterium%20du%20Dauphine/2162029---185083/Painting.html#.UbvCfc_D_IU

Dauphine Stage Two: Here They Come

Today's break wasn't given much of a gap and now the peloton is catching all but the Cofidis rider who jumped away from the break, even though he just prolong his agony.  I always enjoy the image of the riders looking behind them to gauge what is happening, either as they are caught by the peloton or to see how much of a gap they have gained by their attack.  Either way it makes for an encaging image.  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. 

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Criterium%20du%20Dauphine/2161065---185083/Painting.html#.UbkylM_D_IU