Tour, Stage 16: Another for France, Another for Alaphilippe

Julian Alaphilippe (Quick Step) had taken the first stage in the Alps.  At that point he donned the Maillot a Pois and became the first Frenchman to win a stage in the 105th Tour de France.  Today, the first day in the Pyrenees, he again took the stage.  He is the only guy to have won a stage for France, but at least they have two stage victories now.  As I looked back over these paintings from today's stage I realize that only one painting wasn't of a Quick Step rider.  But then they are the ones that dictated the stage.  Philippe Gilbert was awarded the most aggressive rider, and Alaphilippe added to his Maillot a Pois and took the stage.  It was basically a day off for the peloton and the GC riders.  Tomorrow's short hard stage must have had them not wanting to spend any extra effort today.  The Team Sky led peloton came in  Almost nine minutes behind the stage winner today.  Although it was Arnaud Demare (Groupama-FDJ) that was chased in by the broom wagon a full forty one minutes behind the stage winner.

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-2018/3193227-88-251072/PaintingAnother-for-France,-Another-for-Alaphilippe--T18-87.html

Milano-San Remo: Jumping Them All

Arnaud Demare (FDJ) had just cause to celebrate this victory, not only had he won Milano-San Remo by several bike lengths, he had done so after being on the ground with just 25 kilometers left to race.  It to herculean effort to get back to the peloton and then all the way up to the business end of affairs.  He was able to hold off Ian Stannard (Sky) who was the only one who could come close to matching the Frenchman's speed to the line.  Just missing the podium was Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) and pounding his handle bars was fellow Frenchman, Nacer Bouhanni (Cofidis) who surely preferred to have been taking the race for France.

This is a small original watercolor that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watecolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  In addition, the painting is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  The painting is available for sale and can be found by following the direct link at the end of this post.

Be sure to check out my newest cycling book, Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships.  The book is available through your favorite book seller worldwide or at my publishers website, www.artofcycling.bike.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2747795-296-195767/Painting.html#.Vu979vkrLIU

Tour de France, Stage 18: Another One for the French

With a death defying descent off of the Col du Glandon, a brilliant scaling of the Lacets du Montvernier, it was Romain Bardet (Ag2r) who spread his arms wide in victory at the line in Saint Jean de Maurienne.  The young Frenchman was able to hold off the foursome behind led by a pair of countrymen to claim the second victory in the 102nd Tour de France for his team.  While there were thousand of French fans to welcome him in to town, it was the flags of many nations including Colombia and Eritrea that waved in jubilation at the mid point of the Alpine stages.  As far as the General Classification, there were no changes in the top five with the entire gaggle of hopefuls riding shoulder to shoulder with the Maillot Jaune of Chris Froome (Team Sky).

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Co., www.richesonart.com.  They are a small US based family run art supply company that has really wonderful products for art making.  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.  Be aware that because it is an original one of a kind work, once it has sold it is gone. So, don't delay.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2584085-124-210122/Painting.html#.VbFZlflViko

Tour de France Stage 8: For the Home Fans

The French now have their first victory in their home Tour.  Alexis Vuillermoz (AG2R) riding for a French team got the jump on the rest of the hopefuls to spread his arms in pure joy has he claimed the stage atop Mur de Bretagne.  Dan Martin (Cannondale Garmin) left it a little too late to reward the team for all of their work.  He did claim second a couple of seconds ahead of the group, but it wasn't what he or the team hoped for.  I do remember Tours where the French barely made an appearance on the podiums, but with their success last year, the country's cyclists looked poised to reclaim the Tour de France.  Although probably not this year.

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%202015/2579348---210122/Painting.html#.VaGHp_lViko

Tour Stage 11: Holding Them All Off

The French now have their first stage victory in the 101st Tour de France!  Tony Gallopin (Lotto-Belisol) gave the French a Yellow Jersey for one day, wearing the Jersey on Bastille Day, although he did lose the jersey at the end of the day, is the Frenchman to bring a stage to the home country of the Tour.  While the others in the small group off of the front were trying to figure out how they were going to out sprint Peter Sagan (Cannondale), Gallopin attacked them from the rear, gaining the advantage of surprise to open a sizable gap very quickly.  While Sagan and Michal Kwiatkowski (OPQS) exchange gestures, each thinking the other should take up the chase, Gallopin put everything he had into the pedals.  With the peloton breathing down his neck, just meters away form the line, they had already caught Sagan, Kwiatkowski and Mick Rodgers (Tinkoff Saxo), Gallopin was able to raise his arms in victory seemingly holding them all back from his moment at the line.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  This painting will be included in my soon to be self published book, "Book de Tour".  To learn more about the book project, to pre order your copy, or to discover how you can become part of bringing the tome of the Tour to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  To purchase this painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2403864---199992/Painting.html#.U8d4AM_D_IU

Tour Stage Eighteen: Le Sommet du Monde

I am trusting Google to correctly translate, "On Top of the World", I know a little bit of French so I feel good about "du Monde".  But I am sure I feel no where near as good as Christophe Riblon who had been in the first break that got away at 17 kilometers.  To have the opportunity and ability to grab the coveted win atop the Alpe d'Huez and the long sought after win for the home team, moved him to tears of joy and fist pumbs of jubilation.  It should be noted that the last time the Tour climbed the storied Alpe, it was another Frenchman who crossed the line first, Pierre Rolland.  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 and the first victory for France. 

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2183647---186227/Painting.html#.UfB79MvD_IU

Tour Stage Eighteen: For Team, Stage and Country

As in the first trip up Alpe d'Huez, Riblon was dropped by Van Garderen on the steeper parts of the climb, but I think he found comfort in knowing that he had got the BMC man at the top on the first climb and was confident that he could repeat that feet.  Riding with the hopes of every Frenchman along the road and throughout the country he did catch TeJay just before the red kite of one K to go.  Buoyed by the dreams of his country winning a stage in their 100th Tour of their homeland, he jumped right by his adversary and rode the air of French faith to the top of the mountain.  He was aware enough to tell his team director to move so he could take the inside corner of the coming turn.  France now has their first victory in the 100th Tour de France, the USA is still looking for theirs.  And for the record, AG2R is a French team as well.  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 art of the 100th Tour de France.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2183645---186227/Painting.html#.UfB6gMvD_IU