Tour, Final Stage: Still Surviving

This group of six were managing to survive off of the front of the peloton for much longer than expected.  Taylor Phinney (EF Educaton First) got back into the group after his mechanical.  He was being led around the l'Arc de Triomphe by Sylvain Dillier (Ag2r La Mondiale).  The others lining out behind were Stefan Kung (BMC), Guillaume Martin (Wanty Groupe-Gobert), Nils Politt (Katusha-Alpecin) and Damien Gaudin (Direct Energie).  While it is unlikely that the peloton and the sprinters therein would let them stay away, miracles can happen.

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-2018/3196317-118-251072/PaintingStill-Surviving--T-18-117.html

Tour, Stage 15: Double Checking

Unlike yesterday, no one challenged Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) for the sprint points today.  It may have something to do with the experience level of those on the Maillot Vert's wheel.  Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) has ridden many Tours and is the defending Olympic Road Race champion.  Behind him, Mathias Frank (Ag2r La Mondiale) has spent years in the pro peloton, along with being a former road racing champion of Switzerland.  These guys knew why Sagan was in the early break, what his objectives are, and how very little they had to gain by challenging him.  Sagan, on the other hand, was just double checking to make sure no one was going to try and jump him to the line in Mazamet.  All Sagan has to do is finish the Tour (no small feat with the Pyrennes looming this coming week) and the Maillot Vert will be his in Paris.  But, instead, he is going in the breaks and collecting as many sprint points as he can in every stage.  He is closing in on breaking the highest point title in any Tours de France, a record he holds.

You can watch this painting come to life as I talk about what is happening in the image and the Tour up to this point.  You can see one painting from every stage come to life on my You Tube channel (were I hope you will become a subscriber).  And you may learn some things about watercolor painting, creating art, and cycling in the bargain.

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-2018/3192218-79-251072/PaintingDouble-Checking--T18-78.html

Tour, Stage 14: Help Along the Way

Today was the day that there was no question the break was going to stay away.  By the time they had reached the 59 kilometers to go point, they had built up almost twenty minutes on the Team Sky led peloton.  No one in the break was less then 45 minutes behind on the general classification, so there really was no reason to chase.  All the peloton needed to think about was trying to gain time on each other on the sharp ascent coming out of Mende and up to the airport.  That left over twenty guys out front vying for stage honors.  Naturally, they were facing the same final climb, too. 

As the break reached the summit of the Col de la Croix de Berthel, (and on most every other climb) teams will put soigneurs (helpers) along the road side to pass bottles, food (and if needed a spare wheel) to their team as they approach the top of the climb.  This safes the weight of carry water up the climb, and of having to go back to the team car for refreshment.  Stefan Kung (BMC) is reach out for a bottle as he follows Yves Lamaert (Quick Step) up the hill.  The rest of the break is strung out behind them.

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-2018/3191762-75-251072/PaintingHelp-Along-the-Way--T18-74.html

Tour, Stage 13: Pressing on Alone

With the peloton breathing down the neck of the break away, Michael Schar (BMC) decided to press on alone.  He has the pedigree to time trial away from the peloton, but 24 kilometers is a long way to hold off an re-invigorated peloton.  I realized as I was posting this image, that the motorcycle passing Schar was the same one that was photographing the break in the previous painting.  With just about 30 seconds between Schar and the peloton the referees were clearing out all of the vehicles between them so as not to give the chasers an unfair advantage in closing to the leader.

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-2018/3190725-71-251072/PaintingPressing-on-Alone--T18-70.html

Tour, Stage 13: Against Hope

The title may be a bit extreme, but these four guys have little hope of succeeding today.  While Thomas De Gendt (Lotto Soudal) has pulled of a break away win in the Tour before, the sprinters still left in the race are going to want to seize one of their last opportunities before the Champs Elysees.  In fact this foursome, that also includes, Tom Scully (EF Education First), Michael Schar (BMC) and Dimitri Claeys (Cofidis).  You can see one of the press photographers getting some images of the race from the back of a motorcycle. 

I talk more about press motorcycles, creating this painting, and the race thus far in this You Tube video. I am sharing my thoughts on the race as I create a watercolor from each stage as the race progresses.  Please subscribe to the channel to catch every painting from every stage.

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-2018/3190722-70-251072/PaintingAgainst-Hope--T18-69.html

Tour, Stage 11: Working for Seconds

Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb) went out on the offensive in the final kilometers of the climb up to La Rosiere.  Dumoulin went off and opened up a gap.  He did bridge across to Damiano Caruso (BMC) who had been in the break all day.  At this point, Geraint Thomas (Sky) left his team leader Chris Froome behind and gone in search of Dumoulin.  Sky was in a great position, Thomas is poised to take the yellow jersey, and should anyone counter his move, then Froome is free to attack and move himself further up the general classification.  Thomas is looking behind to see if it is Froome, or someone else coming up to this trio.

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-2018/3189514-61-251072/PaintingWorking-for-Seconds--T18-60.html

Tour, Stage 11: Two More Are Coming

Mikel Nieve (Mitchelton-Scott) looked over at his break away companions.  I'm not sure if he was letting them know that Nicolas Edet and Daniel Narvarro (Cofidis) were coming up to them, or if he was about to attack Damiano Caruso (BMC) and Warren Barguil (Fortuneo Samsic).  They were on the way up La Rosiere, the final climb of the day.  Unlike yesterday, there would be no riding down the other side of the mountain.  Today the stage would end on top of the Catagory 1 climb.

And yes, Nieve, went on the offensive, riding everyone off of his wheel.

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-2018/3189409-60-251072/PaintingTwo-More-Are-Coming--T18-59.html

Tour, Stage 11: You Wouldn't Dare!

With a big day of climbing ahead of the peloton, the small kindness was to make the intermediate sprint before any of the mountains appeared on the horizon.  Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrophe) made sure he was in the early break, so that he could add points in his goal of the Maillot Vert.  Sagan was looking back over his shoulder, daring any of those behind to try and come around.  Behind the Slovakian sprinter, Damiano Caruso (BMC), Warren Barguil (Fortuneo-Samsic), Daniel Navarro (Cofidis( and Romain Sicard (Direct Energie) weren't interested in sprint points, unless they were those for the stage winner.  With the sprint out of the way, Sagan sat up and saved his energy for another day. 

Every day there is a time limit to finish the stage based on a changing percentage of the winners time.  With the short distance and big climbs facing the sprinters, it is a real possiblity that some of the big names in the flat sprint stages might get eliminated.  Spoiler alert, the beleaquered Mark Cavendish (Dimension Data) didn't make the cut, and is now on his way home.

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-2018/3189375-55-251072/PaintingYou-Wouldn't-Dare!.html

Tour, Stage 10: No Clowning Around

I couldn't resist this one.  I just couldn't.  I am looking forward to seeing the Devil in the coming days, but this clown seemed like a great metaphor for what everyone expected to happen to Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) today.  Van Avermaet wasn't clowning around in the Maillot Jaune today, even if the cycling fans in yellow was.  As he climbed the fabled Col de la Colombiere he was still more than three minutes ahead of the peloton, so instead of losing his jersey, he will end the day gaining another 3 minutes on all of the general classification guys.  He may be reliving the Frenchman, Thomas Voeckler's defiance of expectation in the Pyrennes when he helf of Lance Armstrong for three days in the mountains.  Voekler held the jersey for 12 days that year, let's see if Van Avermaet can do the same.  Regardless, he is not joking about just how good of a bike racer he is. 

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-2018/3188890-52-251072/PaintingNo-Clowning-Around--T18-52.html

Tour, Stage 10: Defying the Odds

There were just two riders up ahead of this group containing the Maillot Jaune of Greg Van Avermaet (BMC).  Van Avermaet had been widely predicted to lose his yellow jersey today, passing it over to the fomidable Team Sky.  Even Van Avermaet predicted that he wouldn't be in yellow when they reached Le Grand Bornand.  Instead as he climbed the Col de Romme, he had five minutes on the Sky lead peloton.  It seemed very unlikely that the peloton would catch him with just a couple of kilometers to this summit, one more climb, and just a total of 34 kilometers the the finishing line.  Joining Van Avermaet in the effort to stay away (if not chase down the leaders) were Lilian Clamejane (Direct Energie), Jon Izaguirre (Bahrain-Merida) and Julian Alaphilippe (Quick Step).  Just peaking out from the shoulders of the Maillot Jaune is Serge Pawels (Dimension Data). 

This is a powerful group that the peloton let slip their grasp.

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-2018/3188863-51-251072/PaintingDefying-the-Odds--T18-51.html

Tour, Stage 9: His First

It is hard to believe, but today was John Degenkolb's first Tour de France stage win.  I may need to verify that one.  Degenkolb, a pure sprinter, came to the line with two classics riders, more puncheurs than sprinters.  Even though he was forced to launch his sprint from the front, neither Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) nor Yves Lampaert (Quick Step) were coming around the powerful German.  Van Avermaet increased his lead to 45 seconds over Ian Stannard (Sky) and the rest of the GC men.  BMC at least still has a Maillot Jaune to celebrate after a very depressing stage for their team leaders.  Peter Sagan (Bora Hansgrohe) took out the sprint for fourth in the chasing group, thus further solidifying his lead in the Maillot Vert.

Tomorrow is a rest day.  While the peloton will be flying down to the Alps, I will be trying to catch up on some sleep and other domestic duties.  I will be back at it again on Tuesday.  I hope you will be back to see the first mountain stage paintings.  And I hope that you will take the time to go to my You Tube channel and become a subscriber.  I do need your support.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLGX-TnjXDSkkOidUE6pN1g?view_as=subscriber

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-2018/3187732-48-251072/PaintingHis-First--T18-48.html

Tour, Stage 9: Cobbles, Dust & Noise

Amongst the screaming crowds, the rough cobbled roads and the unending dust of the roads to Robaix, thes three road away from the rest of the peloton.  Initially, the commentators, Paul Sherwen and Phil Liggett, claimed that it was three Belgiums off the front.  It would make sense, Belgium is the home of the spring cobbled races that kick off the season.  Instead it was the Belgium National Champion, Yves Lampaert (Quickstep) leading his countryman, Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) followed by the German sprinter, John Degenkolb (Trek-Segafredo).  Van Avermaet was looking to hold his jersey and bring some joy to his team that has lost their captain and their second place rider is falling further and further behind.  With just 17 kilometers to race, and only one more pave section, this was beginning to look like the winning move.  You can see one of the soigneurs holding aloft a set of wheels in case one of his team's riders has a flat (or a broken wheel - which seem to be plaquing this stage).

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-2018/3187726-46-251072/PaintingCobbles,-Dust-&-Noise--T18-46.html

Tour, Stage 9: Who Is Back There?

The roads under the wheels of the peloton were not very forgiving today.  Others however, were able to use the paves to their advantage.  Michal Kwiatkowski (Sky) looks back over his shoulder to make sure he still has his man, Chris Froome.  Just behind, letting a little space open up, is the Maillot Jaune on the shoulders of Greg Van Avermaet (BMC).  BMC is hoping to redeem this very rough stage by keeping Van Avermaet in yellow.  They lost one rider today and their next highest place rider, Tejay van Garderen, is losing time due to some very bad luck.  The rest of the peloton is content to let these guys set the pace.  It is quite difficult to move up on the pave, but all bets are off once the peloton hits the relatively smoother roads of the stage.

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-2018/3187632-43-251072/PaintingWho-Is-Back-There?--T18-43.html

Tour, Stage 9: Shades of 2014

For those who don't get the title of this painting, it is two fold.  First like Richie Porte (BMC) crashed out of this Tour de France with out every putting a wheel on a single pave, just as Chris Froome (Sky) did back in 2014 (the last time the Tour raced on some of the Paris Roubaix paves).  Secondly, it was stage 9 when Porte crashed out in spectacular fashion last year.  Fortunately for BMC and Porte, his injuries were not anywhere near as severe as 2017.  Porte wasn't the only one who hit the deck here, nor all over the roads and pave of today's stage.  There is a reason the classic, Paris Roubaix, is called "The Hell of the North"  Today it was a hellish ride for many in the peloton.  Others may have suffered physically, but at least their GC hopes are still entacted.

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-2018/3187624-41-251072/PaintingShades-of-2014--T18-41.html

Tour, Stage 5: Up to the Line

For the first lumpy stage of the Tour, the organizers decided it would be fun to finish the day with a short steep climb.  I doubt the riders were too thrilled, but it did make for some exciting racing.  It could also afford some time gaps to open up amongst the main contenders for the Maillot Jaune.  The ever agressive Team Quick Step launched Philippe Gilbert up the road.  Should he get enough space and the win, he could take over the race lead, assuming Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) wasn't second over the line.  That is why you can see the Maillot Jaune chasing just behind Julien Simon (Cofidis).  Sensing that this was a good stage for themselves, both Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain Merida) and Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) were giving chase as well.  Sagan has the added insentive knowing that Gaviria has been dropped, thus allowing Sagan to move further ahead in the race for the Maillot Vert.

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-2018/3186312-24-251072/PaintingUp-to-the-Line--T18-24.html

Tour, Stage 3 TTT: Checking on the Others

Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) looks over his shoulder to make sure there are enough riders to post the best possible time for the team.  There were.  And the team posted the best time thus far.  Should the time stand, not only did Van Avermaet check on everyone, their efforts (and his) put himself into the Maillot Jaune of race leader.  They also moved the American, Tejay van Garderen, into second.  They also moved their race leader up ahead of almost every other GC contender.

This is the painting that I filmed being created today.  You can see it on my You Tube Channel where I hope you will become a subscriber.  And you can watch it here as well.

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-2018/3185246-12-251072/PaintingChecking-on-the-Others--T18-12.html

Tour, Stage 1: Getting to Work

The Tour is not only about the racers, but about all of the support work of the complete team.  One rider will pull on the final Maillot Jaune in Paris, but every member of the team will be responsible for that accomplishment in 23 days time.  It is stunning to watch the mechanics attempt to fix the bikes for riders as they drive along at nearly thirty miles per hour.  All I can think of is how much it would hurt to get a finger in the spokes.  Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) is getting a quick adjustment in the early stages of the first day of the Tour, it didn't work out.  He later opted to switch bikes and then catch back up to the peloton and the job at hand.  Hopefully, the mechanic will get to spend the rest of the stage inside of the team car.

This is the painting that you can watch being created on my YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLGX-TnjXDSkkOidUE6pN1g.  Unfortunately, I am still working out some kinks, so it is presented in three seperate videos.  I hope to have that resolved for tomorrow's painting.

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-2018/3184429-2-251072/PaintingGetting-to-Work--T18-2.html

Giro, Stage 17: I Think We're Done

The last two left from the only break that succeed (slightly) were Luis Leon Sanchez (Astana) and Alessandro De Marchi (BMC).  Both have been animators of the Giro over the second week of the race, and they don't seem to be letting up.  However, they are certainly surrendering to the power of the peloton and the desire of the sprinters to have their day.  At this point there was only 11 seconds between the duo and the peloton and still another 12 kilometers left to go.  The odds were clearly not in their favor.

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/101st-Giro-dItalia/3167327-70-249297/PaintingI-Think-We're-Done--G18-75.html

Giro, Stage 16: Looking for Stage Honors

Rohan Dennis (BMC), the time trial champion of Australia, went out looking for a time trial stage win today.  He was just two seconds off of the pace in the opening TT in Jerusalem to kick off the 101st Giro d'Italia.  It was two seconds he made up the next day to pull on the Maglia Rosa for two stages while racing in Israel.  I doubt he expected to regain the over all lead, but he certainly found the stage victory he wanted.  He finished twnety two seconds ahead of the current time trial world champion as well as fourteen seconds ahead of the four time champion, Tony Martin (Katusha-Alpecin).  His time today did move him into sixth overall, leaving his in striking distance of the podium in Rome.

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/101st-Giro-dItalia/3166968-65-249297/PaintingLooking-for-Stage-Honors--G18-70.html

Giro, Stage 11: At the Top

The early break, formed much later than usual, finally got a large gap.  The group comprised of the early duo of Luis Leon Sanchez (Astana) and Alessandro De Marchi (BMC) along with the joining trio of Alex Turrin (Wilier Triestina), Andrea Guardini (Bardini CSF) and Fausta Masnada (Androni Giocattoli), are about to ride over the top of the Valico de Pietra Rosso.  Just over the climb, won by Fausta Masnada, was one of the many tunnels thoughout the mountains of Italy.  Androni Giocattoli has continued to get a rider in every single break of this Giro, certainly paying back their wild card invitation.

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/101st-Giro-dItalia/3164930-50-249297/PaintingAt-the-Top--G18-50.html