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

Dauphine, Stage 6: Pushing Through the Pain

With Ag2r La Mondiale on the front of the break pushing the pace up the Montee des Frasses, Ben Hermans (BMC) was pushing through the pain.  This group that also included Jurgen van den Broeck (Katusha) where on their fourth climb of the day, that included a Catagory 2, two Catagory 1's and an Haute Catagory.  There was still the final ascent up the Catagory climb of Mirabel to finish the day.  Hermans was hoping to be well placed to help his team leader, Richie Porte on the final ascent of Stage 6.

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/2806861-72-185083/Painting.html#.V1xkUvkrLIU

Tour Stage 10: Paying the Team Back

Due to his valiant efforts in Stage 9 into Mulhouse, Tony Gallopin (Lotto-Belisol) secured the Maillot Jaune for his team and for his country, France.  It is a great honor to wear the Jersey of your home Tour, even more so on the day your country celebrates the creation of the Republic.  With the Jersey on the back of one of their own, Lotto-Belisol was to be seen riding tempo on the front of the peloton.  Andre Greipel, the sprinter for the team, came to the front of the line, using his power to pay back the team for all of the work they have been doing on his behalf on the flat run ins to the sprint contested finishes.  This was all the more impressive as the big German is on the front of the peloton as they climb towards the summit of the second mountain of the day.  Normally, Greipel would already be seeking out the safety and companionship of the "Gruppeto".  To explain, the race has a time limit based on the finishing time of the stage winner, if a rider fails to make the cut off time he will be disqualified.  To help protect themselves all of the riders who are having trouble with the mountains, the sprinters, the injured, the sick and those that have ridden too hard for the team too early, will create a large mass.  The mass will be too large to be eliminated so the organizers will bend the rules.   This is an original small watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  This will be included in my soon to be self published tome of the Tour, "Book de Tour".  To learn more about the book project, to pre order your copy and to get involved in bringing the 101st Tour de France through the eyes of this artist 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%202014/2402498---199992/Painting.html#.U8SIvs_D_IU

Dauphine Final Stage: Fighting All the Way - and the final painting of the race

With Alberto Contador still climbing behind them, none of those ahead could know what their final position would be on the podium.  Without knowing, there were no fist pumps, no hands in the air, just men driving themselves as hard as they possibly could to get across the finishing line as quickly as they could.  It wasn't until just over a minute later that Andrew Talansky (Garmin Sharp) knew that his efforts on the day had secured him the over all victory in the 66th Criterium du Dauphine, his first major stage race win at the tender young age of 25.  Jurgen Van Den Broeck's (Lotto-Belisol) efforts were enough to move him onto the final podium with only Contador between these two.  I must say that at the start of the day I never expected the ending to turn out as it did.  I was surprised yesterday when Contador took the Jersey off of Froome's back, but I was sure the only possible change would be that Froome would take it back.  In the end it was the dark horse of the young American that surprised most of us to claim the Malliot Jeune.  Chapeau!  This is an original watercolor and ink small (4"x6") painting that could be yours through a visit to my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post, and yes, I do ship internationally.

This is the last race I plan to paint ahead of the 101st Tour de France, so thanks for reading, (and a big thank you to those of you who have bought one of these little cycling treasures) and I will see you again in three weeks.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Dauphine%202014/2389670---199476/Painting.html#.U6cEUM_D_IU

Dauphine Final Stage: Climbing for Yellow

On the final climb of the Dauphine, Andrew Talansky (Garmin Sharp) had reason to hope that he could climb up in the GC as he climbed the Courchevel Le Prez.  At this point he should have been told that Chris Froome (Team Sky) was losing ground to most everyone, and he was currently in the Virtual Yellow Jersey.  However, he and everyone else, knows just how fast Alberto Contador (Tinkoff Saxo) can climb.  Team Sky had already sent Mikel Nieve up the road in hopes of salvaging a stage win out of a rather dismal and disappointing day, but Talansky was only interested in gaining time on the Malliot Jeune and the stage victory wasn't on his radar.  He had the help of his countryman, TeJay Van Garderen (BMC) who was trying to save face, and Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Lotto-Belisol) who was looking to gain time (and in a longer shot take the Yellow Jersey for himself).  This is an original watercolor and ink small painting that is available to own through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  But while you are there, why not take the time to browse through all of the artwork on offer?   

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Dauphine%202014/2389662---199476/Painting.html#.U6cBkc_D_IU

Dauphine Final Stage: Somebody Pull Through

Romain Bardet (AG2R) kept flicking his elbow (the sign for the rider behind to pull through) and neither Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Lotto-Belisol) or Andrew Talansky (Garmin Sharp) weren't having anything to do with putting their noses in the wind.  Bardet looked over his shoulder in disbelief, begging the others to do some work.  The two behind him at as much if not more to gain than he did so he had every right to expect them to do some of the effort.  Bardet had Wilco Kelderman (Belkin Pro Cycling) behind him, so was in search of the White Jersey, but then Talansky and Broeck were ahead of those above them on GC, at this point the American riding for Garmin Sharp was in the virtual Yellow Jersey.  This is an original watercolor and ink small painting that is available to own through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  By the way, I do ship any where in the world, good luck.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Dauphine%202014/2389656---199476/Painting.html#.U6cAXs_D_IU