Binche-Chimay-Binche: Turning the Corner

Once his teammate Vegard Stake Laengen (IAM Cycling) was finally back in the peloton, it was Dries Devenyns who went off the front pulling Sep Vanmarcke (LottoNL Jumbo) along.  The pair opened up a bit of a gap, but there were too many sprinters with designs for the win.  Add to that, FDJ had been covering every move of the day in opens of delivering their sprinter, Arnaud Demare, to the line.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be 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.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

This painting is sold!

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Other%20Cycling%20Art/2861581-36-206768/PaintingTurning%20the%20Corner%20BCB4-Greig-Leach.html#.V_UiGfArLIU

Binche-Chimay-Binche: Way Off the Front

It was the duo of Lars Bak (Lotto Soudal) and Vegard Stake Laengen (IAM Cycling) who got way off the front of the peloton.  The two built up over five minutes on the FDJ lead peloton on the narrow roads of Belgium.  The two may not have had much hope in holding of the peloton, but neither did they want to ride the race in complete anonymity either.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be 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.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Other%20Cycling%20Art/2861528-33-206768/PaintingWay%20Off%20the%20Front%20CBC1-Greig-Leach.html#.V_UHhfArLIU

Tour, Stage 20: Catch and Release

Julian Alaphilippe (Etixx-Quickstep) and Jarlinson Pantano (IAM Cycling) had pressed on their advantage from the descent of the Col de la Ramez.  The duo reached the base of the final climb of the Tour first, but they were not the only ones to see the Col de Joux Plane as the place to launch and attack.  Earlier Bauke Mollema (Trek-Segafredo) had gone on the offensive, to no avail.  However the winner of this year's Giro d'Italia, Vincenzo Nibali (Astana), saw this as a great opportunity as well.  His team leader, Fabio Aru, had already cracked and was dropping of the Yellow Jersey group.  That left the man nicknamed the "Shark" free to fly.  The former Italian Champion bridged across to the pair of Alaphilippe and Pantano, but quickly left them behind after making the catch.  Now to you get the title?

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.

Be sure to check out my second cycling art book, Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships, available online or through your local book seller.

To buy this painting, follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2828172-151-224974/PaintingCatch%20and%20Release%20TdF152-Greig-Leach.html#.V5Q0trgrLIU

Tour, Stage 20: Running Away

After a hair raising descent of the Col de la Ramez, the duo of Julian Alaphilippe (Etixx-Quickstep) and Jarlinson Pantano (IAM Cycling) rain across the wet valley floor.  The pair made it around the sharp corner onto the main road through the valley and as the rather sodden fans watched the equally soaked riders whiz past.  Those on the side of the road may be drier, umbrellas don't work well when you are trying to be aerodynamic.  Pantano already has a stage win and a second place in this Tour, fast becoming the new darling of Colombian cycling, I believe he was hoping to strike again.  Alaphilippe seems to becoming back into form after a rough mid-Tour.  I am sure he would like to be the second Frenchman to win a stage.  He did spend a couple of days in the Maillot Blanc of best young rider, but now he is over an hour off of the pace.

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.

Be sure to check out my second cycling art book, Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships, available online or through your local book seller.

To buy this painting, follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2828165-149-224974/PaintingRunning%20Away%20TdF150-Greig-Leach.html#.V5Qp6LgrLIU

Tour, Stage 15: With Open Arms

With his arms flung wide, Jarlinson Pantano (IAM Cycling) celebrated his victory on the streets of Culoz.  Having been out sprinted for the line, Rafal Majka (Tinkoff) dropped his head in disappointment for not taking the stage along with claiming the Maillot a Pois.  The Polish Champion had been on the front for almost the entire stage, going with first one and then another rider, claiming mountain top summits all day long.  The duo only managed to keep the chase of Alexis Vuillermoz (Ag2r La Mondiale) and Sebastien Reichenbach (FDJ) at bay by six seconds.  Reichenbach moved up on the GC with the Maillot Jaune crossing the line just over three minutes later.  The Swiss rider moved up to 14th place overall.  Pantano may not have been the Colombian that all of Colombia wanted to see when a stage, but at least the country can now claim a stage win in the 103rd Tour de France.  The loser on the day was the American, Tejay van Garderen (BMC) who has now dropped to eighth overall.  I should note that Julian Alaphilippe came in fifth on the day 22 seconds off the Pantano's time.  Not a bad recovery from his mishap on the descent off of the Grand Colombier.

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.

To buy this painting, follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2824783-111-224974/PaintingWith%20Open%20Arms%20TdF112-Greig-Leach.html#.V4wtkbgrLIU

Tour, Stage 15: Where Are the Chasers?

Rafal Majka (Tinkoff) peered back over his shoulder, just as he had at the start of the first climb, looking to see who was coming up behind.  Majka must have known that the duo of Alexis Vuillermoz (Ag2r La Mondiale) and Sebastien Reichenbach (FDJ) were chasing hard behind.  He would surely feel more comfortable going to the line in Culoz with just Jarlinson Pantano (IAM Cycling) rather than making it a foursome.  At least if these two stayed away from the chasers were guaranteed a place on the podium.  Majka already would be on the podium to receive both the Maillot a Pois and the red bib number of the most aggressive rider of the stage.  Now if he could just add stage winner to the day's tally.

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.

To buy this painting, follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2824759-110-224974/PaintingWhere%20Are%20the%20Chasers?-Greig-Leach.html#.V4wotrgrLIU

Tour, Stage 14: Down to Two

First it was Cesare Benedetti (Bora-Argon 18) who went back to the peloton,  Then on a small rise out of town, it was Alex Howes (Cannondale-Drapac) who just couldn't hold the wheels of these two Tour de France veterans.  The fans lined every kilometer of the stage today, some waving giant French flags, delighted to see one of their countrymen on the front of the race for 173 kilometers of the stage.  The fan lined roads sort of made the neon green directional arrow (over to the left) rather unnecessary to show the riders the way to go.  Jeremy Roy (FDJ) and Martin Elmiger (IAM Cycling) teams have won a stage yet, so both were hoping they could bring stage glory to the team bus at the end of the day.  They only had to hold of the whole of the peloton for another five kilometers, to bad they only had about a 15 second lead.

I am delighted that Jeremy Roy put himself in front of the camera.  I have been hoping to paint him in the Tour since meeting him in Richmond, Virginia during the UCI Road World Championships.  I was painting the races live just across from the awards presentation podium when a rather attractive thin Frenchman walked up and introduced himself.  I have painted him in a number of different races in the past, so he took the opportunity saw hello in the real world.  We both took selfies together and then got back to our respective jobs.

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.

To buy this painting, follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2824417-101-224974/PaintingDown%20to%20Two%20TdF102-Greig-Leach.html#.V4qYRLgrLIU

Tour, Stage 14: "You Know They're Here?"

The four man break had been off the front for at least 150 kilometers by now.  As the group of Alex Howes (Cannondale-Drapac), Cesare Benedetti (Bora-Argon 18), Martin Elmiger (IAM Cycling) and Jeremy Roy (FDJ) swung around a round-about on the way into Villars les Dombes Parc des Oiseauz, Howes seemed to ask his compatriots, "You know they're here, right?"  The peloton and the break had been playing a little game of cat and mouse for the last twenty odd kilometes.  When the peloton sped up so did the break and when one slowed down, so did the other.  In fact, this went on for a bit longer although it was Howes who threw in the towel first and rejoined the peloton.

On a sprint stage, the peloton does not want to catch the break too far out from the finish line.  If they do, it makes it harder to control the other teams and almost guarantees that others will attack the bunch.

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.

To buy this painting, follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2824408-100-224974/Painting#.V4qSHbgrLIU

Tour, Stage 14: Rolling Through Town

By now you know the pattern as well as I, the break away goes early.  And then, on the flat stages like today, they are chased down by the teams of the sprinters.  Today this foursome of Martin Elmiger (IAM Cycling), Jeremy Roy (FDJ), Cesare Benedetti (Bora-Argon 18) and Alex Howes (Cannondale-Drapac) could managed to shake the grip of the peloton until 30 kilometers into the stage.  The peloton wasn't in the mood to let these guys get any real time, keeping the gap inside of five minutes at the most.  Today may well be the last chance in the Tour for the sprinters to show their stuff until we reach the Champs Elysees in Paris.  A new give away from the publicity caravan for this year is a roll up sign like the one the fan is showing to the riders (and the camera).  On the reverse, the logo of Vittel water is displayed, and on the front their is space to write any message the fan chooses.  I do wonder if they are providing markers.  Their have only been one or two that I have been able to read thus far.

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.

Be sure to check out my second cycling art book, Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships, available online or through your local book seller.

To buy this painting, follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2824393-97-224974/PaintingRolling%20Through%20Town%20TdF98-Greig-Leach.html#.V4qD4rgrLIU

Tour, Stage 11: In the Open

Today's stage was going to be about to things, a flat run to Montpellier and the strong cross winds of Provence.  Perhaps wanting to show the tricolore jersey of the French National Champion or maybe just to see if the peloton wasn't paying attention, Arthur Vichot (FDJ) went out on the attack, catching onto the wheel of the Australian on the Swiss team, Leigh Howard (IAM Cycling).  The duo went out into the exposed roads and flat fields of the south of France on what should be a sprinter's stage.  The only chance they might have to carry their lead all of the way to Montpellier is that the peloton were disrupted by crashes (God forbid) or that the winds play such havoc that those behind forgot about those out front.  Neither scenario was very likely.

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.

Be sure to check out my second cycling art book, Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships, available online or through your local book seller.

To buy this painting, follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2823040-72-224974/PaintingIn%20the%20Open%20TdF72-Greig-Leach.html#.V4aT2LgrLIU

Tour, Stage 7: Can't Get Around

Some days the peloton just can't catch a break.  While all of the GC riders were losing time against the Maillot Jaune of Greg Van Avermaet (BMC), they were stopped abruptly by a collapsing inflatable arch that held the red kite of one kilometer to go.  Apparently the arch fell onto Adam Yates (Orica-BikeExchange) who was the only one to be hurt by the cave in.  The rest of the peloton was stopped in the road, as officials tried to hold the red and white striped balloon aloft.  Some riders attempted to climb over, others to go beneath, but all were granted the same time on the stage since it obviously occurred within the final three kilometers of the stage.  This rule does not apply on a mountain stage, so they can be thankful there was seven kilometers more of the stage after the summit of the Col d'Aspin. A few of those caught behind the traffic jam were Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Katusha), Sebastian Reichenbach (FDJ) and Stef Clement (IAM Cycling).

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.

To buy this painting follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2821042-48-224974/PaintingCan't%20Get%20Around%20TdF48-Greig-Leach.html#.V4AS7LgrLIU

Tour, Stage 4: Fair Warning

It is a pun, get it?  The gendarme is warning the break away of the dangerous piece of "traffic furniture" in the middle of the road.  Already, one of these traffic islands has damaged the hopes of one of the main GC riders, Alberto Contador (Tinkoff).  After the break and the peloton are safely pass this obstacle, the gendarme will jump back on his motorcycle, work is way back to the front of the race and find the next hazard on the road.  There has been difficulties with motorcycles speeding through the peloton, but never with one of those of the Gendarmerie.  I am sure all of the racers appreciate the waving yellow flag and blowing whistle that helps to keep them safe on the road.  The four escapees still include, Oliver Naesen (IAM Cycling) who will come away with the most aggressive rider award on the day, Markel Irizar (Trek-Segafredo), Alexis Gougeard (Ag2r La Mondiale) and Andreas Shillinger (Bora-Argon 18).

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.

Buy this painting here:  http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2818699-24-224974/PaintingFair%20Warning%20TdF24-Greig-Leach.html#.V3v7c7grLIU

Tour, Stage 4: Ahead of the Train

This painting's title continues my play on words.  This break away managed to reach the railroad crossing ahead of the train, and of course they are about six minutes ahead of the peloton (or the train of bikes behind).  The foursome of Alexis Gougeard (Ag2r La Mondiale), Markel Irizar (Trek-Segafredo), Andreas Shillinger (Bora Argon 18) and Oliver Naesen (IAM Cycling) took the longest to make their escape from the peloton, not getting away until almost 20 kilometers into the longest stage of this year's Tour.  Their have been races, most notably the fabled Paris Roubaix, when the break has had to wait for a train to cross the road unfortunately losing any time advantage they had built up prior.  Today it was just a few bumps and off they went again.

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/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2818675-22-224974/PaintingAhead%20of%20the%20Train%20TdF22-Greig-Leach.html#.V3v2krgrLIU

Tour, Stage 1: Well Done, My Friend

After Paul Voss (Bora-Argon 18) went over the final climb of the day, he awaited the return of his erstwhile break away companions.  As the group caught up led by his teammate, Jan Barta, he was given a nice pat on the back for claiming all of the KOM points on the day.  Joining the Bora-Argon duo where local boy, Anthony Delaplace (Fortuneo Vital Concept), Leigh Howard (IAM Cycling) and the American, Alex Howes (Cannondale-Drapac).  The group of five had over two minutes on the peloton behind, but it was sure to be a day for the sprinters.

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/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2817367-2-224974/PaintingWell%20Done,%20My%20Friends%20TdF2-Greig-Leach.html#.V3fwT7grLIU

E3 Harelbeke: Leading Them Around

After a few minutes of silence for the victims of the terrorist bombings in Brussels, the race got underway.  Shortly thereafter, this group got off of the front and built up over five minutes on the peloton.  So as they wove through the sharp corners and narrow roads of Belgium, they were leading everyone around the race course.  Some of those in the break included, Bert De Backer (Giant-Alpecin), Wouter Wippert (Cannondale) and Reto Hollenstein (IAM Cycling), all eight were hoping they could surprise those behind, many of home have claim victory in this race in the past.

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 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.

Plus you can see my most recent book at www.artofcycling.bike.  It contains my writings and paintings of the 2015 Road World Championships in Richmond, VA.  It is available through out the world from many different online booksellers or ask your favorite bookstore to order it for you.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2752653-298-195767/Painting.html#.Vvd72vkrLIU

Milano-San Remo: Rummaging About

Roger Kluge (IAM Cycling) one of the twelve men in the early break, rummaged through his pockets looking for more food.  With such a long race, it was important to keep topped up from energy, lest they fade away on the final climb of the day.  Some of those joining Kluge were, Mirco Maestri (Bardiani CSF), Matteo Bono (Lampre-Merida), Samuele Conti (Southeast Venezuela) and Adrian Hankisz (CCC Sprandi).

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%20/2747772-291-195767/Painting.html#.Vu9uu_krLIU

Tour Down Under: Just a Bit Dicey

In the Feed Zone, the soigneurs will line up along side the road ready to pass bottles and musettes to their riders.  The problems arise when each soigneur in turn stands just a little bit further into the road so that he can be seen by the team, naturally this makes the road narrower and narrower.  Finally, it is on the rider to get to the left side of the road to make the bottle pass safer.  That didn't happen for this IAM Cycling support personnel.  His rider forced him to make a dangerous pass and then jumped out of the way of the fast approaching riders from Drapac Professional Cycling and Astana.  You can see by the soigneurs stance that he was already figuring out how quickly he could jump back to his left.  Thanks to his awareness a rather nasty wreck was avoided.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting created using watercolors from www.richesonart.com and 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.  In addition, be sure to check out my new book, "Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships" available now at www.artofcycling.bike.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20Down%20Under/2683079-96-194179/Painting.html#.VqU7A_krLIU

Tour Down Under: Checking In

Alexis Gougeard (AG2R) checks in with the neutral service vehicle to find out just how quickly the chasing peloton is closing in.  At one point he. along with David Tanner (IAM Cycling) and Patrick Shaw (UniSA-Australia) had built up just over four minutes on the disinterested peloton.  At least the trio hoped they were disinterested, it isn't like any of them were anywhere near the leaders on the General Classification.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting created using watercolors from www.richesonart.com and 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.  In addition, be sure to check out my new book, "Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships" available now at www.artofcycling.bike.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20Down%20Under/2679666-82-194179/Painting.html#.VqKJ7_krLIU

Tour Down Under: Lunch on the Fly

Naturally, the early break away (although this one didn't get away until after the first intermediate sprint) was the first to reach the feed zone.  The race organization will designate an area slightly over half way through the stage were the soigneurs can pass musettes of food and drink to their team riders.  The racers will consume over 2,000 calories while racing the relatively short 140ish kilometer stages of the Tour Down Under.  One of the dreaded mis-calculations is the bonk, when I rider doesn't take in enough food and figuratively runs out of gas at the end of the stage, just when he needs it the most.  Here, Patrick Shaw (UniSA-Australia) has just grabbed his lunch, while David Tanner (IAM Cycling) and Alexis Gougeard (AG2R) already have theirs.  Yes, you have seen Gougeard's name already, he was out in the first breakaway in the first stage of this year's Tour Down Under.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting created using watercolors from www.richesonart.com and 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.  In addition, be sure to check out my new book, "Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships" available now at www.artofcycling.bike.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20Down%20Under/2679655-81-194179/Painting.html#.VqKIM_krLIU

Tour Down Under: Sprinting for Seconds

With Laurens De Vreese (Astana) up the road, there were only a couple of bonus seconds up for grabs at the intermediate sprint out on course.  Last year the race was decided by only two seconds, so any chance to grab a few seconds are well worth the effort.  The winner of stage 1, Caleb Ewan (UniSA-Australia) claimed the best of the rest slot, 2 seconds and some valuable points in the sprinters jersey competition (the red jersey he is currently wearing).  Race leader, Jay McCarthy (Tinkoff) bedecked in Ochre nabbed third and a single second.  While being attentive Diego Ulissi (Lampre-Merida) could only manage a fourth place at the line, so he was unable to add any bonus seconds to his second place overall.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting created using watercolors from www.richesonart.com and 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.  In addition, be sure to check out my new book, "Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships" available now at www.artofcycling.bike.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20Down%20Under/2678303-75-194179/Painting.html#.VqHCf_krLIU