Tour, Stage 15: A Little Cat & Mouse

As it would be expected, the three riders with teammates in the final leading group, were who was able to come to the line to contest the sprint.  The two without were out gunned in the closing kilometers.  The trio of Bauke Mollema (Trek-Segafredo), Magnus Cort Nielsen (Astana) and Jon Izaguirre (Bahrain-Merida) had time in hand to shadow each other prior to launching the sprint.  Izaquirre took a peek back over his shoulder, making sure the others were closing in in the final couple of hundred meters.  As Mollema looked back, Nielsen opened up his sprint.  After playing cat and mouse, forcing Nielsen to go from the front, it was still the Dane that out sprinted the others for victory.  That now gives Astana back to back stage wins going into the final rest day of the Tour.  Had I been able to stay caught up, I could be enjoying the rest day myself.  This rest day falls on my birthday this year.  Last year I got to watch the final stage in Paris as I celebrated my 60th.  This year is a bit more calm, for the peloton and myself.

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-2018/3192263-82-251072/PaintingA-Bit-of-Cat-&-Mouse--T18-81.html

Tour, Stage 10: Defying the Odds

There were just two riders up ahead of this group containing the Maillot Jaune of Greg Van Avermaet (BMC).  Van Avermaet had been widely predicted to lose his yellow jersey today, passing it over to the fomidable Team Sky.  Even Van Avermaet predicted that he wouldn't be in yellow when they reached Le Grand Bornand.  Instead as he climbed the Col de Romme, he had five minutes on the Sky lead peloton.  It seemed very unlikely that the peloton would catch him with just a couple of kilometers to this summit, one more climb, and just a total of 34 kilometers the the finishing line.  Joining Van Avermaet in the effort to stay away (if not chase down the leaders) were Lilian Clamejane (Direct Energie), Jon Izaguirre (Bahrain-Merida) and Julian Alaphilippe (Quick Step).  Just peaking out from the shoulders of the Maillot Jaune is Serge Pawels (Dimension Data). 

This is a powerful group that the peloton let slip their grasp.

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-2018/3188863-51-251072/PaintingDefying-the-Odds--T18-51.html

Paris Nice, Final Stage: Chasing

With the surprise attack of the duo from Trek-Segafredo but the Maillot Jaune of Sergio Henao (Sky) into some serious jeopardy, in fact, at this point Alberto Contador (Trek-Segafredo) was the virtual leader of the race on the road.  Henao had started with a 31 second buffer on the former winner of Paris Nice (and a great deal of other major races), so he need to be very aware of the time splits going forward.  And he needed to pay attention to any bonus seconds Contador may be able to pick up at the intermediate sprint or the finish.  Behind the Maillot Jaune, many were defending their positions and unwilling to assisted the Colombian.  On his wheel was the Basque Jon Izauirre (Bahrain Merida), the Maillot Vert of Julian Alaphilippe (Quickstep) follow by yesterday's stage winner, Richie Porte (BMC) and Jakob Fulgsang (Astana).  In the distance you can make out the sole figures of other riders that were finding the final climb of Paris Nice just too, too much.

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/Spring%20Classics%20/2932985-377-195767/PaintingChasing%20PN17-41.html

Paris Nice Stage 6: Preparing to Descend

The riders have to get ready to descend off of the high climbs.  They heat up with the effort of the climb often sweating despite the cold, so it is important to keep the cold wind of the fast descent from chilling their lungs.  So will still climbing, with the summit literally around the corner, Luis Angel Mate (Cofidis) sits up to zip up.  Mate along with his teammate Nicolas Edet are some of the members of a rather large break away that includes, Cyril Gautier (Europcar), Jack Bauer (Orica GreenEdge), and Jon Izaquirre, the Spanish National Champion on Team Movistar.

This is a small original watercolor and ink 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.  If you are enjoying reading about this race with the accompanying artwork, please check out my recently published Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France.  The book is available through most every online bookseller around the world, so just google the title to find where you can get your copy while avoiding international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2525766---195767/Painting.html#.VQSUh47F-xU

Tour Stage 18: Daredevil Descent

Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) was less than confident about his ability to stay with Nibali and the other GC men on the final ascent of a big mountain in the 2014 Tour de France, so he decided he would use his skill as a descender to put time into his rivals.  He joined up with Jon Izaguirre, who had dropped back from the early break, and John Gadret, as the threesome got into as tight of an aerodynamic tuck as possible, and let it rip down the back side of the Col du Tourmalet.  They opened a bit of a gab on the peloton, although Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) was able to stay within side of the fleeing Movistar team.  Others just behind Valverde on the GC, didn't possess the same level of daring that the man in second place over all has, so it was a good time to gain time.  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 tome, "Book de Tour."  To learn more about the book project, to pre order your signed copy, or to discover how you can be 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 great Backer incentives with rewards starting for pledges as little as $5 USD.  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%202014/2407966---199992/Painting.html#.U9HcSc_D_IU

Tour Stage 16: Trying to Cover the Attack

Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) was riding like a man possessed, repeatedly attacking his break away companions.  Hng not succeed in getting away on the Col des Ares, he picked up where he left off on the giant Port de Bales.  With the group now reduced to just Jose Serpa (Lampre-Merida), Mick Rodgers (Tinkoff Saxo), the Spanish National Champion, Jon Izaguirre (Movistar) and his teammate, Cyril Gautier.  Not only was it tough for the rest to cover his attacks, the TV Moto was having a bit of a time capturing all of the moves and the whereabouts of those who had been dropped by the accelerations.  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%202014/2406672---199992/Painting.html#.U87o5c_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