Tour de France, Final Stage: Away with 20 Seconds

The peloton must have heard Jens Voigt's complaints about the lack of aggression on the Champs Elysees.  No sooner had he bemoaned the tranquility of the loops through Paris than did the attacks start flying off the front.  As each group was caught another one would try their luck.  This trio of Florian Vachon (Bretagne Seche), Nelson Filipe Santos (Lampre Merida) and Kenneth Van Bilsen managed to open up the largest gab thus far on the Champs.  While twenty seconds is nothing...  It was more than anyone had gotten thus far.  Plus this would be the last chance for the LCL sponsored time keepers to show the time gabs in 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 small family run art supply company that has some of the best paints and materials I have ever used, like these watercolors for example.  This painting and all of my cycling art 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.  Since this is an original one of a kind work of art, when it has sold, it is gone.  Therefore, I wouldn't recommend delaying your purchase.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2586323-146-210122/Painting.html#.VbYxYvlVikr

Tour de France Stage 10: Headed for a Big Climb

Coming out of yesterday's Rest Day, the Tour organizers gave the riders a chance to get their legs back under them with a long relatively flat stage with a very big climb at the end.  This pair of Pierrick Fodrigo (Bretagne Seche) and Kenneth Van Bilsen (Cofidis) had built a lead of almost fifteen minutes on the peloton, but as the Col de Soudet neared, so did the chasing peloton.  Fodrigo's team director pulled up along side to let him know just how much of a gap they had, and what would be needed at the base to stay away to the top.

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 small family run art supply company with some fabulous supplies for artists and crafters alike.  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.  Don't delay, this is an original painting, so there is only one like it.  When it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2580500---210122/Painting.html#.VaVp-PlViko

Tour de France Stage 8: Crowds at the Summit

The early break, two of whom went at the very first kilometer, was comprised of four men as they neared the summit of the first of two climbs in Stage 8.  None of the group, Pierre-Luc Perichon (Bretagne Seche), Bartosz Huzarski (Bora Argon 18), Sylvain Chavanel (IAM Cycling) and Romain Sicard (Europcar) had a chance of stealing the Maillot a Pois from Daniel Teklehaimanet (MTN-Qhubeka), so the Ertirean could rest easy that his dream jersey would stay on his shoulders through the rest day on Monday.  It was impressive to see how many Bretons had come out to watch the Tour race through Bretagne, it almost felt like the top of Alp d'Huez.

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.  This painting, in fact all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this painting for only $60 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Don't delay, since this is a one of a kind original, once it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2579270---210122/Painting.html#.VaF96flViko

Tour de France Stage 7: Looking for the Pack

Anthony Delaplace (Bretagne Seche) takes a quick peak under his arm to see just how close the chasing peloton had gotten.  The quartet that included his teammate, Brice Feillu, along with Luis Mate (Cofidis) and Kristijan Durasek (Lampre-Merida).  Daniel Telkehaimant (MTN-Qhubeka) had already drifted back to the peloton having accomplished the objective of the day.  The others had pushed on despite the near certainty of being caught by the sprinters and their teams.

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 family run art supply company located in the northern mid-west of the United States.  This painting, and all of my cycling art, 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.  Don't delay, this is an original watercolor, so when it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2578936---210122/Painting.html#.VaAZZPlViko

Tour de France Stage 5: Off On His Own

The breakaway of the day is usually a small group, the 102nd Tour seems to prefer breaks of four riders, but today it was just Pierre-Luc Perichon (Bretagne-Seche) who left the peloton behind.  It was a tall order for a single rider to hold of the might of the rest of those remaining in the Tour de France of almost 190 kilometers.  I am sure that Perichon would have preferred company to share the work load and relieve some of the potential boredom, however after putting in the massive effort to get away from the others there is nothing left for it put to press on whether anyone joins the effort or not.

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.  They are a small family run art supply company located in north central United States with incredible high quality supplies for artists and crafters alike.  You can learn more at their website, www.richesonart.com.  This work, and all of my cycling artwork, is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To buy this particular painting for only $60 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Remember, this is a one of a kind original, so don't delay, once this painting is gone, it is gone!

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2578240-25-24-210122/Painting/Sports.html#.VZ3BuPlViko

Tour de France Stage 4: On to the Pave

Stage 4 continued the Spring Classics theme with the peloton cross seven sections of pave that are used in "The Hell of the North" otherwise known as Paris-Roubaix.  These four went off from the drop of the Depart flag building up an eight minute advantage over the nervous peloton.  Perrig Quemeneur (Europcar) managed to get into the second break away in three days (his team has been represented in all three).  Joining Quemeneur were Lieuwe Westra (Astana), Arnaud Gerard (Bretagne Seche) and Thomas De Gendt (Lotto Soudal).  By the time the foursome reached the first section of pave the peloton was only 70 seconds behind them.

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.  This painting, and all of my cycling art, 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 don't delay, when it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2577802---210122/Painting.html#.VZymWflViko

Tour de France Stage 2: Checking the Time

The breakaway shed itself of the Frenchman, Perrig Quemeneur (Europcar) after Jan Barta (Bora-Argon 18) attacked the group to get maximum points at the intermediate sprint.  Barta pressed on on his own, but he was eventually joined by Stef Clement (IAM Cycling) and Amindo Fonseca (Bretagne Seche) as the trio road through the streets of Rotterdam.  Even with constant radio communication with their team cars, the riders are informed of the time gaps between groups on the road by the age old slate board.  Holding the board is always a rather attractive woman giving the riders something else to check out beside the time gap.

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 for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To buy this particular painting for only $60 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  But do hurry, since it is an original there is only one of these to be had.  International shipping is available, too.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2576848---210122/Painting.html#.VZoivPlViko

Tour de France Stage 2: Parting the Sea

Stage 2 was the opening of the road racing in this year's Tour.  The peloton left Utrecht heading for the wide open flats of the Dutch country side covering 166 kilometers on their way to the edge of the North Sea and Zelande.  This group of four wasted no time getting away from the peloton, attacking as soon as the neutral zone came to an end and the racing flag was dropped.  The foursome of Amindo Fonseca (Bretagne Seche), Jan Barta (Bora-Argon 18), Perrig Quemeneur (Europcar), and Stef Clement (IAM Cycling) were never able to gain more than two minutes on those behind.  The stage profile showed that it would be a day for the sprinters unless the notorious winds of the Netherlands blew apart the peloton.

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 for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To buy this particular painting for only $60 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  But do hurry, since it is an original there is only one of these to be had.  International shipping is available, too.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2576846---210122/Painting.html#.VZoghvlViko

Criterium International Stage 3: Another Go

Thibaut Pinot (FDJ) was desperate to chase down the fleeing Jean-Christophe Peraud (AG2R) but wasn't getting any help form Pinot's teammates Alexis Villermoz and Jan Bakelants.  Pierrick Fedrigo (Bretagne Seche) was happy to sit in and let the Frenchman do the work.  Given the lack of help, Pinot looked back and then gave another acceleration to rid himself of the wheel suckers.  With just under a kilometer left to race, Peraud had a tall order to make up 22 seconds on his countryman and adversary up the Col.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this painting, for only $50 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post, and yes, international shipping is available.  Enjoying reading about professional cycling with this accompanying art?  Then be sure to check out my recently publish book on the 2014 Tour de France, just google the title, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France" to discover where you can order a copy from your local online book seller.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2535444---195767/Painting.html#.VRrrH_nF-xU

Criterium International Stage 3: Down to Two

Chad Haga (Giant Alpecin) and Romain Feillu (Bretagne Seche) managed to ride away from their other three break away companions as they headed into Porto Vecchio.  With an intermediate sprint just ahead, Feillu convinced Haga to let him have the sprint bonus.  In a break, riders will often work out deals and alliances so that they can reach mutual benefits from their efforts.  The pair were also hoping to hit the final climb up the Col d'Ospedale with a couple of minutes advantage.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this painting, for only $50 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post, and yes, international shipping is available.  Enjoying reading about professional cycling with this accompanying art?  Then be sure to check out my recently publish book on the 2014 Tour de France, just google the title, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France" to discover where you can order a copy from your local online book seller.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2535404---195767/Painting.html#.VRrjWvnF-xU

Paris Nice Stage 3: A Predictable Group

This is a truly predictable trio to go off on a break away.  All three have won stages and made names for themselves in just this manner.  Most notably is Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) whose breaks have put him in Yellow in the Tour de France for extended periods on two different occasions.  Philippe Gilbert (BMC) now wears the Rainbow bands of a former World Road Race Champion, a title he won on a long break, and the final member of the trio is Florian Vachon (Bretagne Seche) whose team has had a representative in every break of this year's Race to the Sun.

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 painting is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.   To purchase this particular painting for only $50 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  If you are enjoying reading about bike racing with this accompanying artwork, be sure to check out my recently published Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France.  The book is available through virtually all online booksellers, please google the title to find out where you can purchase your copy and avoid international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2523610---195767/Painting.html#.VQCA7PzF-xU

Paris NIce Stage 2: All by HImself

One of the unwritten rules of the professional peloton is that the team(s) that get a wildcard berth into a particular race are expected to ride the race aggressively.  Bretagne-Seche has certainly lived up to its part of the bargain in the 2015 Paris Nice.  Yesterday they were in the two man break, today, it was Arnaud Gerard giving it ago all on his own.  I admit that I did watch the movie, "Bridget Jones' Diary" yesterday, so the title was kind of rolling around in my head.  Gerard may have been counting on another slow parade from the peloton, but it is truly a long shot to have a solo break stay all the way to the line.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting (for only $50 USD plus shipping) just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

If you are enjoying the artwork and accompanying text, be sure to check out my recently published book of the 2014 Tour de France, Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France.  You can find it at most any online book seller world wide.  Simply google the title to learn where you can get the book and save on international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2523050---195767/Painting.html#.VP9W0fzF-xU

Paris Nice Stage 1: Off on Their Own

On paper the first road stage of  Paris Nice looked to be one for the sprinters, however, ever aggressive Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) had something else in mind.  Voeckler was joined in a very long break away attempt by fellow countyman, Anthony Delaplace (Bretagne-Seche).  Voeckler became the darling of French cycling by a similar move that put him into the Yellow Jersey for 10 days in the Tour de France.  I am sure he was hoping to have a similar result today.

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, the painting is 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 for only $50 USD.  International shipping is available.

If you are enjoying reading about cycling with this accompanying artwork be sure to check out my recently publish book on the Tour de France, Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France.  The book is available through most every online book sellers around the world, just google the title to learn where you can get your copy and avoid international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2522852---195767/Painting.html#.VP53vfzF-xU

Tour Stage 19: A Little Bit of Advice

Arnaud Gerard (Bretagne-Seche) slipped to the back of the small group that was off the front of the peloton by over three minutes to chat with his Team Director.  By the hand gestures that were coming from behind the steering wheel, it seemed to be a discussion about the dangers of the course that lay ahead.  The group would soon be getting to the outskirts of Bergerac and the wet roads would make for some slippery roundabouts and 90 degree turns as the riders came to the end of a 208.5 kilometer slough through drizzle, wet roads and thunderstorms.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website, www.greigleach.com and will be included in my soon to be self published complete collection of my paintings of the 101st Tour de France, "Book de Tour."  To learn more about the book project, to pre order your copy, or to discover how you can become a part of bringing this art of cycling to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  There are some fabulous Backer Rewards for those who choose to pledge to the Kickstarter "Book de Tour" project for as little as $5 USD.  Every level of support will get your name printed on the Special Thanks page of the book.  To purchase this painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  But wouldn't you like to have a copy of the book that this painting will be included in as well?

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2408442---199992/Painting.html#.U9Muis_D_IU

Tour Stage 19: Leading the Way

The final day of open road racing was greeted by yet more rain.  More rain and the regular early break with some of the usual players for the long shot.  The peloton was guided through the course by a five man escape group that included some of the usual suspects, Martin Elmiger (IAM Cycling), Cyril Gautier (Europcar), Tom Jelte Slagter (Garmin Sharp) and Rein Taatamae (Cofidis).  The only new guy to the party was the Bretagne-Seche man, Arnuad Gerard.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Stave Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson and Company, www.richesonart.com.  This painting is available through my artist website, www.greigleach.com and will be included in my soon to be self published complete collection of my paintings of the 101st Tour de France, "Book de Tour."  To learn more about the book project, to pre order your copy, or to discover how you can become a part of bringing this art of cycling to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  There are some fabulous Backer Rewards for those who choose to pledge to the Kickstarter "Book de Tour" project for as little as $5 USD.  Every level of support will get your name printed on the Special Thanks page of the book.  To purchase this painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post. 

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2408440-145-138-199992/Painting/Sports.html#.U9MsM8_D_IU

Tour Stage 12: In With a Chance

After his heroic effort to finish Stage 11 and to do it inside of the time limited the leader for Garmin Sharp, Andrew Talansky, decided with his team to not take to the start for Stage 12, the pain was too much.  All involved thought it would be better for him to recover and finish the season strong, than to push on possibly causing serious damage with no hope of getting back into the podium hunt.  Sebastien Lengeveld took up the mantle for his fallen leader, he was the first to start the break at only 5 kilometers of racing before being joined by Simon Clark (Orica GreenEdge), David De La Cruz (NetApp-Endura), Florian Vachon (Bretagne-Seche) and Gregory Rast (Trek Factory Racing).  The stage looked like a good opportunity for the break away to succeed, it was too hilly for most of the sprinters and not steep enough for the climbers to carry the day.  So to quote Paul Sherwen, "The break is in with a chance."  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson and Company (www.richesonart.com).  This painting is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com and will be included in my soon to be self published book of my art of the 101st Tour de France, "Book de Tour".  To learn more about the book project, to pre order your copy, or to discover how to become involved in bringing this amazing edition of the Tour to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  There are some wonderful rewards for backers at a wide variety of levels, all include your name in print on the special thanks page, and starting at $5 USD.  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%202014/2404214-88-84-199992/Painting/Sports.html#.U8h2DM_D_IU

Tour Stage 10: Hanging Around

Stage 10 feature seven categorized climbs for rated at Cat. 1, the only kind thing that the race organizers did for the sprinters was to put the intermediate sprint point in the valley after the first climb of the day.  Peter Sagan (Cannondale) joined the break away up the first ascent of the day, Col de Firstplan.  He pressed his advantage using his superior descending skills despite the rain falling in buckets on the heads of the peloton.  His goal, to grab maximum points in the Green Jersey competition.  After crossing the sprint point first, he continued to hang around with the front of the race as they made started the ascent of the Col de Petit Ballon.  I guess the thinking being, "While I am here, if I can stay, why not hang around."  He joined up with Jan Marta (NetApp-Endura), Arnaud Gerard (Bretagne-Seche) and Giovanni Visconti (Movistar).  This is an original small watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company (www.richesonart.com)  The painting is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  This will be included in my soon to be self published tome of the Tour, "Book de Tour".  To learn more about the book project, to pre order your copy and to get involved in bringing the 101st Tour de France through the eyes of this artist to print please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  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%202014/2402494-68-66-199992/Painting/Sports.html#.U8SFi8_D_IU

Tour Stage 9: Virtual Yellow

On the lower slopes of the final climb of the day, the Grand Ballon, it was becoming apparent that the Astana led peloton was dropping further behind the two groups up the road.  Ahead of the larger group was the World Time Trial Champion, Tony Martin (OPQS) who had dropped his earlier companion, Alessandro De Marchi (Cannondale), but this larger collection of cyclist was where the real drama of the stage was unfolding.  On the eve of Bastille Day, the Frenchman, Tony Gallopin (Lotto-Belisol) had but enough distance between himself and the peloton to be in the Virtual Yellow Jersey on the road.  If the stage where to end at this point, he would be the new race leader of the Tour.  It would be a fine thing for France, winning a stage in their home Tour yesterday and having the most coveted prize in French sporting, on the back of one of their own on Quatorze Juillet.  This is an original small watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  This painting will be part of my soon to be self publish book, "Book de Tour" the Tour through the eyes of an artist.  To learn more about the book, to pre order your copy, and to possibly get involved in bringing the artistic Tour de France to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour  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%202014/2402072---199992/Painting.html#.U8M3cc_D_IU

Tour Stage 3: Two Rookies of the Tour

Jean-Marc Bideau (Bretagne-Seche) and Jan Barta (NetApp-Endura) are both riding in the Tour de France for the first time, for that matter it is the first invitation to the Tour for either team as well.  Following the usual pattern of Wild Card teams trying to make their presence felt at the race, these two went off on a break away the very moment the race referee drop the flag the signaled the start of racing.  The pair would have wanted more riders to join them, but once they had put in the effort, it didn't make any sense to sit up and go back to the peloton.  With such a small number in the break the normally small percentage chance of success dropped to nearly nil.  This is an original small watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com and it will be included in my soon to be self published, "Book de Tour".  Please visit  https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour to learn more, pre-order your copy and maybe get involved in bring this race to print.  To buy this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2397738---199992/Painting.html#.U7s4M8_D_IU

Tour Stage 2: Bidding the Jersey Farewell

Professional cyclist, like their amateur counterparts, are a very supportive lot.  While the sprinter and winner of the first Maillot Jaune, Marcel Kittel (Giant Shimano) didn't expect to be able to get over the nine climbs of today's stage to compete at the finale, it was still sad to watch most of the peloton ride away from him on climb after climb.  Romain Feillu (Bretagne-Seche), from a rival team, even a rival country, reached out to pat Kittel on the back in congratulations, as Feillu went forward and Kittel continued to go backward on the climb up Holme Moss Hill.  This is an original small watercolor and ink painting that is available at my artist website, www.greigleach.com.  This painting will appear in my soon to be self published "Book de Tour" a collection of my paintings and writings of the 2014 Tour de France.  To learn more about the project, pre-order your copy and hopefully become involved, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  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%202014/2397176---199992/Painting.html#.U7nYes_D_IU