Tirreno-Adriatico Final Stage: Under Escort

Jean Christophe Peraud (Ag2r La Mondiale) rode a hard time trial, although not fast enough to move himself up on the general classification.  As he approached the final couple of hundred meters of the course, the foreshortening of the camera made it appear as though he was drafting off of the police motorcycling that was ensuring that no one was in his way.  Peraud represents the renaissance of French cycling, one that has been further glorified by the stellar team time trial of FDJ to start Tirreno-Adriatico.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watecolors and Steve Quiller brushes both from www.richesonart.com.  In addition, this painting is available from my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this original work of art, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

Plus, please be sure to check out my newest book, Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships.  The book is complied from my live paintings of the 2015 Championships here in my hometown of Richmond, Virginia along with my blogposts serving as the rough draft for the text of the book.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2743990-287-195767/Painting.html#.VukJ8PkrLIU

Tour de France, Stage 13: Dressing His Wounds

Jean-Christophe Peraud (AG2R) is just not having a lucky Tour.  He has had bad days in the mountains and just can't find the form that carried him to second place overall in last year's Tour.  Today on the thirteenth, he had a silly touch of wheels that sent him skidding across the rough road surface at over 30 kilometers per hour.  He lost a fair amount of skin and several chunks of his cycling shorts (almost making him rather indecent on the road).  While I should no longer be surprised, he was yet another hard man of the Tour who got back onto his bike and kept racing to the end of the stage.  He spent a fair amount of time back at the race doctor's car getting patched up, but ultimately, he had to get back to chasing down the fleeing peloton.  Impressively, he rejoined the main group after being almost two minutes behind and dripping blood the whole way.

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.  In addition, this painting 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.  Remember it is an original painting so when it is gone, it is gone.  I would advise against delaying if you see one you want.  International shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2581554---210122/Painting.html#.ValRCPlViko

Criterium International Stage 3: Embracing the Victory

Jean-Christophe Peraud's (AG2R) gambling attack paid off, and paid off big.  Not only did he take the stage victory on the summit of the Col d'Ospedale, but his time gap was enough to give him the overall victory and the Maillot Jaune for winning the Criterium International.  Thibaut Pinot (FDJ) finished just behind him on the general classification, just as he did in the 2014 Tour de France.  This time, however, they were both one step higher on the podium.  This is a good sign for French cycling and the coming Tour de France.  Chapeau, Jean-Christophe!

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%20/2535456---195767/Painting.html#.VRrtIvnF-xU

Criterium International Stage 3: Riding Away

FDJ had ridden hard for their man, Thibaut Pinot, who finished third in the 2014 Tour de France.  However it was the man who finished second overall in the Tour, Jean-Christophe Peraud (AG2R) that took advantage of his FDJ's efforts.  With six kilometers left to climb to the summit and the finishing line, Peraud put in a blistering attack that none of the remaining peloton was able to answer.  Would it be enough for both the stage and the Maillot Jaune?

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%20/2535430---195767/Painting.html#.VRrpGfnF-xU

Tour Final Stage: Pulling Peraud Back

Panic must have gone through the hears of Jean-Christophe Peraud (AG2R), his team and all of France, when he lost his front wheel on the slick pavement markings and took out himself and several other riders.  Chaos ensued as team mechanic rushed around passing out wheels, bikes and bandages.  Peraud had crashed long before the all important 3 kilometers to go point, so any time he lost on the peloton would be applied to his overall time.  That meant he was in danger of losing his second place, something the team could let happen.  So while there was no team time trial in this Tour, AG2R ran a very fast one to get their man back into the peloton, screaming at the cars to give them room and let them do what needed to be done.  There efforts were rewarded, but there were some very anxious moments in Paris before he was tucked back into the fold.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com,  and it will be included in my soon to be published tome, "Book de Tour."  To learn more about the book project, to pre order your copy, or to discover how you can be a part of bringing my art of the 101st Tour de France to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  There are some great Backer Rewards for those of you who choose to pledge your support starting at just $5 USD, and for $25 USD you will get an artist signed copy of the book.  Everyone who pledges regardless of the amount will have their name in print on the Special Thanks page.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  But you should also get all of the paintings in a book form, too. 

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2409028---199992/Painting.html#.U9Wj78vD_IU

Tour Stage 20: Precious Seconds

Jean-Christophe Peraud (AG2R) had everything riding on his performance in the only Time Trial of the 101st Tour de France, and did not need anything to go wrong.  Unfortunately his wishing of luck to Thibaut Pinot (FDJ) did not insolate him from having bad luck himself.  At about the half way point when he had already secured the Virtual Second Place on the road, he had a rear tire flat.  He let his following team car know what was wrong and then pulled to a stop along the decorated front yard of a house along the route.  He gently set his first time trial machine down as he waited for his mechanics to bring a replacement bike to him.  He did his best to remain calm, as the pair moved with precision to get him up and running.  The whole process took about 15 seconds, but with the GC placing so tight, it was time he would rather not give up.  Perhaps the adrenaline from the delay would push him to the line in time.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  It will be part of the soon to be self published complete collection of my paintings and writings 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 to become part of bringing this race to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  There are some great rewards for those who choose to pledge their support starting for as little as $5 USD.  Everyone who backs the project will have their name in print on the Special Thanks page of "Book de Tour".  If you would like to purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post, but don't you want a copy of the book?  Of course you do!

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2408582---199992/Painting.html#.U9QbtMvD_IU

Tour Stage 20: Bon Chance, Mon Ami

With the riders starting at three minute intervals on the top end of the General Classification, they have some time behind the start gate to talk with each other.  All have spent time getting warmed up, timing their muscles optimum performance point to their start time, some will wear a game face keeping to themselves others are much more open.  Jean-Christophe Peraud (AG2R) sitting just 2 seconds behind his countryman, Thibaut Pinot (FDJ), reached out to the young man in the Maillot Blanche (covered by an ice vest) to wish him well in the coming test.  The two were confident that they would both end the day on the podium for the ride into Paris, it was just a question of who would be in second and who would be in third.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  It will be part of the soon to be self published complete collection of my paintings and writings 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 to become part of bringing this race to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  There are some great rewards for those who choose to pledge their support starting for as little as $5 USD.  Everyone who backs the project will have their name in print on the Special Thanks page of "Book de Tour".  If you would like to purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post, but don't you want a copy of the book?  Of course you do!

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2408552---199992/Painting.html#.U9QXpsvD_IU

Tour Stage 18: Down to Seconds

Although there was no hope of catching the soaring Niblai, the next four men on the road were racing for time gaps that would be measured in seconds.  Nibali had almost six minutes on the second place rider, Alejandro Valverde (Movistar), the next four placings were separated by under three minutes.  So it was that Thibaut Pinot (FDJ), Jean-Christophe Peraud (AG2R) and Tejay van Garderen (BMC) were going as hard as they could, having dropped Valverde.  With 800 meters left to race in the high mountains, Pinot was the virtual second overall and his countryman, Peraud was onto the podium in third.  Tucked onto their wheels was the Polka Dot clad, Rafal Majka, who had his own chasing to do.  If Nibali won the stage (as he was sure to do) Majka was going to have to finish in the top six on the stage to keep his spotted prize all the way to Paris.  Tejay just wanted to hold his sixth and have the personal satisfaction of redeeming his one bad day in the mountains.  Behind them all, capturing every pedal stroke were the daredevil camera men, standing on the back of a motorcycle with a video camera on their shoulders.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website, www.greigleach.com.  This painting and all of my cycling art from the 101st Tour de France will be included in my soon to be self published tome, "Book de Tour."  To learn more about the book project, to pre order your copy of the book, or to discover how you can become part of bringing the art of this Tour to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  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%202014/2408002---199992/Painting.html#.U9HpKM_D_IU

Tour Stage 17: Amongst the Fans

With thousand of screaming flag waving fans lining every inch of the final climb up the Pla d'Adet, Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) attacked the rest to prove he is the truly deserved wearer of the Maillot Jaune.  The only man who could hold the Italian National Champion's wheel was the third best place Frenchman, Jean-Christophe Peraud (AG2R).  The pair had left it too late to catch the pair of Giovanni Visconti (Movistar) and Rafal Majka (Tinkoff Saxo), but still were putting in time to those behind them.  Peraud wears the yellow racing bib the designates that his team, AG2R, is leading the team classification.  The French team has been on fire in this Tour, briefly holding the Polka Dot Jersey and still in the fight to get back the White Jersey.  They were the team that pick up the first stage win for the French in the 101st Tour de France.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  It will be included along with all of my paintings of this Tour in my soon to be self published tome, "Book de Tour."  To learn more about the book project, to pre order your copy, or to discover how you can be a part of bringing this most amazing race to print,please visit  https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  There are some exciting rewards for those who choose to back this project starting at only $5 USD, with an artist signed copy for only $25 USD.  Everyone who pledges their support to the project will have their name in print on the Special Thanks page of "Book de Tour"   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 as well, don't you?

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2407346---199992/Painting.html#.U9CAa8_D_IU

Tour Stage 17: Holding On

Tejay van Garderen (BMC) having bonked the day before, losing over 5 minutes, was holding tough on the final climb of the short and steep day.  He had glued himself to the wheels of the two Frenchmen just ahead of him on the General Classification, Thibaut Pinot (FDJ) and Romain Bardet (AG2R) who had hung tough with the Yellow Jersey of Vincenzo Nibali (Astana).  As this foursome entered the small mountain town of Soulon, it was Bardet's teammate, Jean-Chirstophe Peraud who attacked again, this time on the uphill.  Hoping to achieve the same gap that Bardet had gotten on the previous descent.  While Nibali has the lead all put in the bag, all of the other placings on the GC are within four minutes of each other, second through fifth are only a two minute spread.  These gaps, with Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) sitting second overall and off of the back of this group meant they would be racing all of the way to the summit.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  This artwork along with all of my watercolors of the 101st Tour de France will be included in my soon to be self published tome, "Book de Tour."  To learn more about the book project, to pre order your own copy, to learn about the incentives for those who choose to support the project and to discover how you can become a part of bringing this Tour de France to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  But wouldn't you love to have all of the paintings in a lovely signed book?  Sure you would!

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2407342---199992/Painting.html#.U9B7E8_D_IU

Tour Stage 14: Stuck on the Italian's Wheel

Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) jumped from the shrunken peloton of the GC contenders on the final climb, his attack was so vicious on the steepest section that only one man, Jean-Christophe Peraud (AG2R) was able to hold the Italian's wheel.  Nibali tried repetitively to dropped the Frenchman, to no avail, Peraud was stuck on his wheel.  The pair tried in vain to catch Rafal Majka (Tinkoff Saxo) who still had a minute on them at the one kilometer to go banner.  They were gaining time on the rest of the men in the remnants of the peloton.  While Tejay van Garderen (BMC) he was not able to catch up to the pair, but he too would be leaving the Alps in a much higher position that before the mountains loomed on the horizon.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  This painting and all of my 2014 Tour de France watercolors will be included in my soon to be published, "Book de Tour."  To learn more about the book project, to pre order your copy, or to discover how you can become a part of bringing the 101st Tour de France to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  There are some really excellent incentives to get you involved starting for as little as $5 USD, all include domestic (USA) shipping and international shipping is available.  Any Backer regardless of the amount - yes, that includes a $1 USD pledge - will have their name included 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 want to have the book as well?

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2405422-113-108-199992/Painting/Sports.html#.U8w1qM_D_IU

Tour Stage 14: Attacking the Descent

The Tour de France has numerous races within the competition for the overall lead and its Maillot Jaune.  One of the hotly contested interior races is the combination competition between Romain Bardet (AG2R) and Thibaut Pinot (FDJ).  The pair are fighting it out for the best young rider's White Jersey and for the honor of being the highest place Frenchman in the Tour.  It speaks well for the future of the French in their own Tour, that these are some of the youngest men in the race sitting in the top 5 in the General Classification.  Bardet knows that Pinot is not the most daring of descenders, so he used the top off of the Col d'Izoard, with the help of his teammate, Jean-Christophe Peraud, to try and distance himself from his countryman.  The move surprised everyone.  Jakob Fuglsang (Astana) help bring his team leader, Vincenzo Nibali, up to the charging Bardet, but the rest of GC men where being distanced on the descent.  It is impressive that it was Fuglsang who put in the very high speed chase down the mountain, it was he who had the spectacular crash on a descent the day before.  It may have removed some layers of skin, but it did nothing to damage his nerve.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com and it will appear in my soon to be self published, "Book de Tour."  To learn more about the book project, to pre-order your copy, or to discover how to become involved in bringing the 101st Tour de France to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  There are some wonderful backer rewards all of which include the Backers name in print on the Special Thanks Page of the book.  Other incentives include an artist signed book, pins, original art, and a few lucky signed copies, signed by whomever wins this Tour de France.  If you would rather just purchase this particular painting, please follow the direct link at the end of this post, but wouldn't you rather have a copy of "Book de Tour" too?

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2405262---199992/Painting.html#.U8vmQc_D_IU