TDF, Stage 16: Here Comes Another One

This threesome of Jan Bakelants (Intermache-Wanty Gobert), Fabien Doubey (TotalEnergies) and Christopher Juul-Jensen (BikeExchange) had gotten off the front at the intermediate sprint.  They continued to press their advantage on the Col de la Core.  Behind them was the Austrian National Champion, Patrick Konrad (Bora-Hansgrohe) who seemed to be closing fast.  The Austrian got on terms shortly after I painted this.  But that wasn't enough for Konrad.  He split the group up with only the strongest avle to hold his wheel.  Behind him is one of the several TV Cameramen catching the race from the back of a motocycle.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above.  Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available. 

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/2021-Tour-de-France/3823758-101-291436/Painting/here-comes-another-one-tdf21-100.html

Tour Down Under Stage 1: A Cheeky Move

Getting away from the peloton takes both legs and brains.  Jan Bakelants (Ag2r La Mondiale) has plenty of both.  The Belgium rider on the French team made is move just after the effort of the final intermediate sprint.  Those who had sprinted for the victory sit up and wait for the peloton to rejoin them, so there is a general slowing down and a lack of attention.  It only takes a few moments to get a gap and a little luck that others don't cover the move.  Bakelants has made a move like this stick in his career, a move that put him in the Maillot Jaune for a couple of days in the Tour de France.  Adam Hansen (Lotto Soudal) tried to bridge across, but Bakelants proved just too strong.

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/Tour%20Down%20Under/2905255-102-194179/PaintingA%20Cheeky%20Move%20TDU17-4.html#.WH25ZPkrLIU

Tour, Stage 18: Catching Those Who Went Before

Tom Dumoulin (Giant-Alpecin) is having a brilliant Tour!  He has claimed both a mountain stage and the first Individual Time Trial thus far.  As he went out today he was able to catch Jan Bakelants (Ag2r La Mondiale) who started out two minutes ahead of the Dutch National Time Trial Champion.  Dumoulin was setting new best times at every time check out on course.  As he crossed the line in Megeve, he set the new best time where it matters most.  Now he had to sit on the hot seat waiting to see if his time would stand throughout the rest of the stage.

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%202016/2826657-128-224974/PaintingCatching%20Those%20Who%20Went%20Before%20TdF129-Greig-Leach.html#.V5EuKLgrLIU

Dauphine, Stage 6: Breaking the Race Apart

While I understand that broadcasters only have so much time in the schedule to show all of the great events going on around the world, I sure wish I could have seen the battle that took place on the climb of the Col de la Madeleine.  Plus, that is a very beautiful climb when watch on a video screen (although I do hope to ride up it someday).  On the way up, Romain Bardet (Ag2r) hatched their plan that they hoped would put him into the Yellow Jersey by the end of the day.  Bardet took two of his teammates with him in the attack, Jan Bakelants and Mikael Cherel.  The other rider who was looking to get the jump on the peloton was Fabio Aru (Astana) who had the able assistance of his teammate, Luis Leon Sanchez.  Sanchez is encouraging Bakelants to push the pace to their mutual benefit.

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/2806840-71-185083/Painting.html#.V1xgVvkrLIU

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

Paris Nice Stage 3: Hitting Them Hard

Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) eventually could no longer hold the wheel of Paolo Tiralongo (Astana).  As he went backwards, Jan Bakelants and Romain Bardet (both AG2R) jumped out of the pack on a steep short climb before the finishing town just seven kilometers up the road.  The move by AG2R looked like a winner, Bakelants has pulled a successful move like this one in the past.  More likely than not, he was working for his teammate, Bardet, giving him the chance to gain a little time before the mountains tomorrow.   I was equally amused by the other trio, the beer bellied cycling fans on the crest of the hill.

This is a small original watercolor and ink 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%20/2523636---195767/Painting.html#.VQCJQPzF-xU

Tour Stage 16: Dancing Up the Mountain

The longest stage of the Tour de France, 237.5 kilometers, feature five categorized climbs, the final a Haute Categorie monster.  Astana and the peloton was happy to let a large break away get up the road, they had no worries about the Maillot Jaune, as not one of the 21 riders in the break represented a threat to Vincenzo Nibali, or any of the top ten on GC tucked into the peloton.  The break was bound to fall apart once they got to the fourth climb of the day.  It was on the way up the Col des Ares that the attacking started, with the ever aggressive Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) being the first to try and dance away when the road pointed up.  Voeckler has won twice before in the finishing town of Bagneres-de-Luchon and was riding in hopes of making it a third in a row, a feat not accomplished since 1961.  Europcar was well position to make the move having put three men clad in dark green into the break.  So it was Voeckler along with Cyril Gautier (Europcar) on the front of the group joined by Jose Serpa (Lampre-Merida) and Jan Bakelants (OPQS) as they toiled up the climb.  The break had built up an eleven minute lead on the disinterested peloton, so it was safe to assume they were racing for the stage victory.  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 art book 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 involved in bringing this most unpredictable Tour to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  There are some fabulous incentives to encourage you to back the project starting a just $5 USD, and every backer, regardless of the amount pledge, will have their name in print on the Special Thanks page of the book.  If you would like 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 "Book de Tour" as well?

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2406660---199992/Painting.html#.U87l9s_D_IU

Tour Stage 13: The Mountains Await

The peloton as been up a few big hills, mountains by the Island of Great Britain standards. but nothing like what is looming on the horizon.  Stage 13 started relatively easily with a category 3 climb and then a long hundred kilometer flat run at the Alps.  The break and later the peloton would end the day with a Category 1 scaling of the Col de Palaquit follow by a Haute Category trip up to the finish line at Chamrousse.  A nice size group of nine decided they wanted a head start up the first climb.  Alessandro De Marchi started it off at 5 kilometers into the stage and was joined on the first climb by Rudy Molard (Cofidis), Jan Bakelants (OPQS), Giovanni Visconti (Movistar), Bartosz Huzarski (NetApp-Endura), and Daniel Oss (BMC).  Unfortunately for the break, Blel Kadri (AG2R) got himself in with the rest, unfortunate, because he was only ten minutes down on the Maillot Jaune.  Combine that with Katusha missing the move and it was unlikely the group would be allow to stay off of the front.  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 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%202014/2404784-95-90-199992/Painting/Sports.html#.U8miZs_D_IU

Tour Stage 11: Thinking About a Stage Victory

Having caught Martin Elmiger (IAM Cycling) all five began to think that they had a solid chance of taking the stage victory.  Jan Bakelants (OPQS) had been in this position in 2013 and got the victory.  Nicolas Roche (Tinkoff Saxo) had done much the same, plus had the additional incentive of getting the victory for the team the day after their team leader, Alberto Contador, was forced to abandon the race. Cyril Gautier (Europcar) was looking for the first stage for his team and for his country, as was Elimger and Jon Izaguirre (Movistar).  All the group had to do was hold of the Cannondale lead peloton off of their wheels and then fight it out amongst themselves.  And then there was the final climb up the Cote d'Echallon and the long descent into Oyonnax.  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%202014/2403858---199992/Painting.html#.U8dtV8_D_IU

Dauphine Stage 6: Joy & Sorrow

Lieuwe Westra (Astana) and Jan Bakelants (OPQS) got rid of their third fellow attacker, Pim Ligthart (Lotto-Belisol) so that they could get the stage win they were both so desperately seeking.  At about 1.2 K left to go the pair came to a virtual stand still, a track stand, each trying to get the other to make the first move.  It is much easier to win from the pack of the group than from the front.  From the back you have the element of surprise.  As to prove the point, Westra went first after the track stand, and Bakelants was able to get around him in the end to claim victory in Poisy, leaving Westra to clinch his fist in frustration.  This is an original small watercolor and ink painting (4"x6') that could be yours through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Dauphine%202014/2388056---199476/Painting.html#.U6OrRs_D_IU

Dauphine Stage 6: Cooling Off

Today's 178.5 kilometer stage from Grenoble to Poisy had its regular break away that include a total of 15 riders from 14 teams, with roughly 20 K to go these three, Lieuwe Westra (Astana), Pim Ligthart (Lotto-Belisol) and Jan Bakelants (OPQS), got away from the rest through the attack of Westra.  All three of these guys have been in a number of breaks thus far in the Dauphine, each hoping to bring glory to their teams and themselves.  Today was another rather warm day in eastern France, so after Westra had a drink from his bidon, he squirted water across his chest, on his head and onto the back of his next, all in an effort to beat the heat.  This is an original small watercolor and ink painting (4"x6") that could be yours through visiting my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To buy this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post. 

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Dauphine%202014/2388044---199476/Painting.html#.U6Onc8_D_IU

Dauphine Stage 5: Swingin' Off

Stage 5 featured the required break away that went on the first climb of the day back up the Col du Manse yet again.  The descent, which happened off camera, was the famed climb in the Tour du France where Beloki crashed smashing his hip and Lance Armstrong went across an open field, jumping back on to the road and rejoining the group he had been with.  At this point Jan Bakelants (OPQS) was getting a little frustrated with his break away companions on the climb up the Col de la Morte, he was trying to get Alessandro De Marchi (Cannondale) Stafan Denifl (IAM Cycling) to come through and take a turn.  To force them to come by he swerved to the other side of the road, they just followed him over there.  Notice the TV cameraman standing on the rear of the motorcycle, this is how the wonderful film of the day after day of racing is captured.  There are multiple motos following all of the action on the road augmented by two helicopters.  This is an original small watercolor and ink painting (4"x6") that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from the American company, Jack Richeson & Co. at www.richesonart.com.  This painting is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To buy this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post. 

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Dauphine%202014/2387996---199476/Painting.html#.U6OVZ8_D_IU

Dauphine Stage 4: Along the Valley Road

Stage four featured the largest break away group thus far in the Dauphine.  After several different groups attempted to get away (all were pulled back because they were too high up on the GC) this group established itself with a maximum of almost four minutes on the peloton and the Yellow Jersey.  Some of those represented included the best placed on GC, Yury Trofimov (Katusha) along with Christian Meier (Orica GreenEdge), Andriy Grivko (Astana), Damiano Caruso (Cannondale) and Jan Bakelants (OPQS).  Once the group hit the road into Gap ahead of the final climb up the Col du Manse, the peloton ramped up its speed in order to position the favorites for the coming ascent.  This is an original small watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from the Jack Richeson Company, www.richesonart.com  Also this work is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post. 

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Dauphine%202014/2387294---199476/Painting.html#.U6I-HM_D_IU

Fleche Wallone: Do I Have a Gap?

Once the peloton had caught the early break of the day, it was time for the counter moves and opportunist to make their attempts at stealing the race from the favorites.  Here the first hard attack comes from Jan Bakelants (OPQS) and Pierre Rolland (Europcar), with Bakelants looking back around the corner to see what kind of gap he was able to get from the Katusha led peloton.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours by visiting my artist website at www.greigleach.com or you could just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%202014/2352147---195767/Painting.html#.U1iKkMvD_IU

Paris-Nice Stage 5: Looking Over

Team Bretagne place another rider in another break away.  And following suit with the break away formula of Paris-Nice this year, stage 5 featured a 5 man break.  So the break was represented by Sylvain Chavanel (IAM Cycling) who was so disappointed to have an very poorly timed puncture at the base of yesterday's final climb.  He went out today to redeem himself and to prove a point with his legs.  In addition the break was comprised of Jan Bakelants (OPQS), Matthew Busche (Trek Factory Racing), Izaguirre Insausti (Moviestar), and Brice Feillu (Bretagne).  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com, a family owned art supply company in Wisconsin, USA.  This painting can be yours by visiting my artist website, www.greigleach.com.  Or you could just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%202014/2327627-22-18-195767/Painting/Sports.html#.UyKUW8_D_IU

Tour Stage Nineteen: Attacking Each Other

Once the large break got to the bottom of the final climb, they knew the peloton wasn't coming back to them.  With that kernel of knowledge it was time to get rid of the passengers and try to ride away from everyone else.  Nieve is swinging from one side of the road to the other trying to shake the three that have come with him on the opening salvo.  Bakelants, Navarro  were stuck to him having no intention of letting him run away with the stage.  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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2183669---186227/Painting.html#.UfCGJM_D_IU

Tour Stage Fourteen: Whatever They Have Left

They break finally caught up with Julien Simon (he is the fourth rider in this painting) under the shadow of the red kite, they were digging deep into whatever energy they had left.  Bakelants has his head down trying to repeat the feat that placed him in the Malliot Jaune in the early stages of the 100th Tour de France.  Everyone here is on the rivot trying to pull out a stage win for all of their efforts in the long, long breakaway.  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 very own artistic piece of the 100th Tour de France.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2182585---186227/Painting.html#.Ue3dkM_D_IU

Tour Stage Seven: Three Away Today

Once Team Cannondale and Sagan had played out their attack and had the Green Jersey points at the intermediate sprint the peloton backed off to a less manic pace, and when the peloton slows you can count on someone jumping out on an attack.  The surprise was the first attack was from Jan Bakelants hoping to repeat his amazingly successful attack in Corsica when he just held off the charging sprinters and donned the Malliot Jaune for two days.  Gautier of Europcar and another rider from Euskadtel-Euskadei (sorry I never did get his name) bridged across to see if their could win the stage.  Unfortunately for them, Bakelants was only 33 seconds down on the overall and Impey and Orica-GreenEdge were in no mood to give up the Jersey.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available at my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2178361---186227/Painting.html#.UeIY-MvD_IU

Tour Stage Four: It's About the Team

Jan Bakelants started the day in yellow and Radio Shack Leopard was the leading team, but it wasn't their day on the beach.  If you noticed, the team of the Yellow Jersey number is printed on a yellow patch to demark that they are the team holding the jersey.  The other perk is that the team car will be the first vehicle in line in the following caravan.  This might sound like a small think but when a rider is in trouble and needs his team mechanic, a bike or wheel change, time matters and the further back the car is, the longer it takes for help to arrive.  Their bright note was that Andy Shleck seems to be in form and rode a great time trial for him.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that could be yours by bidding in a quick 3 day auction on ebay.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the 100th Tour de France.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=251299011435

Tour Stage Three: Sweeping Down Together

Radio Shack Leopard, spent most of the day on the front of the peloton doing the job of pacing the peloton, even if a BMC rider has slip out to the front on the steep corners.  It falls on the team that has the Malliot Jaune to lead the peloton, until another team's objectives bring them forward to set the pace of the pack.  The narrow cliff side roads made for some scary riding, and while there were some minor crashes, even one into the wall, no one faced the serious injuries that everyone feared.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours in a short 3 day auction on ebay.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to bid on your piece of the 100th Tour de France, but hurry, the auction starts as soon as this post is published.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=251298502623