Tour, Stage 5: Up to the Line

For the first lumpy stage of the Tour, the organizers decided it would be fun to finish the day with a short steep climb.  I doubt the riders were too thrilled, but it did make for some exciting racing.  It could also afford some time gaps to open up amongst the main contenders for the Maillot Jaune.  The ever agressive Team Quick Step launched Philippe Gilbert up the road.  Should he get enough space and the win, he could take over the race lead, assuming Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) wasn't second over the line.  That is why you can see the Maillot Jaune chasing just behind Julien Simon (Cofidis).  Sensing that this was a good stage for themselves, both Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain Merida) and Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) were giving chase as well.  Sagan has the added insentive knowing that Gaviria has been dropped, thus allowing Sagan to move further ahead in the race for the Maillot Vert.

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-2018/3186312-24-251072/PaintingUp-to-the-Line--T18-24.html

Paris-Nice Stage 2: Desperate Times

Like stage one, the end of stage two included a late crash that caught a number of sprinters out leaving them to chase back onto the fast moving peloton.  The referees will have something to say about Omega Pharma Quickstep and their rider, Gianni Meersman's use of the team car to pace him back.  He was eventually joined by Confidis rider, Julien Simon as they worked their way through the remaining vehicles in the following caravan.  Meersman was desperate to rejoin the peloton so that he could defend his borrowed Green Jersey of most consistent sprinter in the race.  Borrowed from the wearer of the Yellow Jersey, Nacer Bouhanni.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that could 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%202014/2325487---195767/Painting.html#.Ux5nPs_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 Fourteen: Allez, Allez, Allez

The cry of the thousands of fans along the last climb of the day, "Allez!  Allez! Allez!'  was all the louder when it was a Frenchman that came up the road with a gap on the rest of the break.  As he road through the wall of noise from the French throngs, many took up the tradition of running along side the Sojason rider, Julien Simon, to yell their words of encouragement and joy.  The French have yet to win a stage in the 100th Tour de France, and Simon certainly looks like he will put that right with just 15 kilometers to go.   This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours by visiting my artist website to purchase this painting.  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%202013/2182553---186227/Painting.html#.Ue3JAc_D_IU