Tour Stage 13: Stop Messing About

I imagine that was what Cedric Pineau (FDJ) was shouting over his shoulder to Alejandro Valverde (Movistar).  The pair were fourth and fifth on the road, each with a lot to gain on the stage, each rather desperate to catch the fleeing Maillot Jaune.  Pineau, with a chance to take the White Jersey of the best young rider kept trying to get the older and wiser Valverde to come around and take a pull.  Each time the Movistar leader would shake his head claiming to be on the rivet and unable to contribute, only to then attack the less experienced Pineau.  This is an unfriendly game that was played out all the way to the finish, proving that the vigor of youth can not always best the wisdom of age.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com and will be included in my soon to be self published book of the 101st Tour de France art, "Book de Tour."  To learn more about the book project, to pre-order a copy, or to discover how you can be a part of bringing the art of the sport we love to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  There are some excellent incentives for backers at every level starting at $5 USD.  Everyone who backs the project will have their name included in the special thanks page.  If you would like to purchase this painting directly, just follow the link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2404852---199992/Painting.html#.U8nOlM_D_IU

Tour Stage 6: Skidding to a Stop

With the wet roads laying waste to the dreams of two men and their road to Paris in Stage 5, today's wet roads, while smoother than the sections of pave, were as equally tricky in the rain.  Cedric Pineau (FDJ) locked up his back wheel as he did everything he could to prevent piling into the guys already stacking in a tangle of limbs, frames and wheels.  Many went to the grass on either side of the road, others unclipped from their pedals and held on to their sliding bikes in hopes that they would not be the next to slam down on the roads of France.  The joke amongst us amateur riders when you get your first set of clipless pedals, go ahead and fall over with your feet still attached to the bike, it will happen eventually so you might as well get it over with.  I did notice that almost by instinct, Pineau unclipped as soon as he hit is brake levers.  Good thing, he had to put out his foot to stay upright.  Sadly, two of those on the ground, Xavier Zandio (Team Sky) and Egor Silin (Katusha) had to abandon the Tour.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  It will also be included in my soon to be published art of cycling, "Book de Tour"  To learn more about the book project, to pre-order your copy or to learn how you can be involved in bringing the art of the 101st 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%202014/2400082---199992/Painting.html#.U78cXM_D_IU

Volta Catalunya Final Stage: Losing the Dead Wood

The original break consisted of nine riders, not all of whom were or possible could continue to contribute to the success of the break, so Marcus Burghardt (BMC) was the first to attack the break hoping to shed himself of the passengers and weaker riders.  The aggressiveness of his attack was covered by Marciej Paterski (CCC-Polstat Polkowice), Lieuwe Westra (Astana) and Cedric Pineau (FDJ).  Moments later, as they started up the climb, Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) bridged across, leaving the other four that included the winner of Stage 6, Stef Clement (Belkin Pro Cycling).  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours by being the first to visit my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  For this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%202014/2338111---195767/Painting.html#.Uzjjc8_D_IU

Volta Catalunya Final Stage: Headed Downtown

For the second time in as many days a large group of nine riders got away from the peloton and were just over three minutes to the good as they road down the highway to the finishing circuit in downtown Barcelona.  With all of the GC men in the peloton and the closest man in the break over four minutes down, there was no real reason for those behind to put in a real hard chase.  And like yesterday seven different teams were represented in the break including the teams that had yet to win a stage in this running of the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  In addition, this painting and all of my cycling art is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  For this particular piece you can follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%202014/2338093---195767/Painting.html#.UzjdVM_D_IU