Dauphine, Stage 1: Peddling Through Town

The first stage on the open road featured the requiste break away.  The duo of Mitch Docker (Orica-GreenEdge) and Frederik Backaert (Wanty-Groupe Gobert).  The two had managed to build up to five minutes on the peloton.  But by the time they road through the town of Peyzieu the teammates of the sprinters had reeled back two minutes on the escapees.  One of the treats of watching cycling throughout the world, is the chance to see areas of great beauty and charm.  I often wonder how much the riders really get to enjoy the scenery.

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.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  While you are on the site, be sure to check out my other works of art and my two cycling books.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Bear in mind that this is a one of a kind original and once it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Criterium%20du%20Dauphine/2804035-41-185083/Painting.html#.V1Y7gJErLIU

Tour Stage 18: Preparing to Climb

Team Europcar, who have been racing with guts and aggression, put three men into the early break, most notably their darling of the French public, Thomas Voeckler.  Has the large break went through town before making the turn that let to the famed Col du Tourmalet, Voeckler dropped back to his team car to get one more bottle and energy gel for the climb.  The men in the Tour will burn over 6,000 calories on an average stage, and this stage with its two Haute Catagorie climbs was going to be anything but average.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com and will be included, along with all of my 2014 Tour de France paintings in my soon to be self published book, "Book de Tour."  To learn more about the book, to pre order your copy, or to discover how you can become involved in bringing the art of the Tour to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  There are some exciting incentives for those who choose to back the project starting for as little as $5 USD and at $25 USD, you will get an artist signed copy of the "Book de Tour".  Everyone who pledges their support will have their name in print included in the Special Thanks page of the book regardless of the amount pledged.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  But you know you want a copy of the book to go with the artwork, don't you?

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2407870---199992/Painting.html#.U9HNWs_D_IU

Dauphine Stage 3: Counter Attack

Once the peloton was all back together, Jens Voigt (Trek Factory Racing) - you know, the man of 'Shut Up Legs' fame - saw his chance to attack the peloton in the narrow twisting streets of this picturesque river town.  Voigt's attack came with 20 kilometers to go and another seven riders eventually bridged across to the elder statesman of pro cycling. Trek Factory Racing was hoping to get a stage victory with Jensie having had their designated sprinter crash out of the race early in the stage.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available through a quick three day auction on ebay.  To bid on this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

This painting is sold!