Giro, Stage 10: Helping Himself

Ilnur Zakarin (Katusha-Alpecin) came up to the line feeling good about his ride.  The individual time trial is oft called the 'race of truth' because it is just the rider, his bike and the clock.  There is no support from the team, so race strategy, no drafting, just a lone rider doing the best that he (or she) can.  Zakarin was able to put himself into eight place on the GC after a strong showing today.  It should be noted that less than two minutes separate him from second place, although he is over four minutes down on the new Maglia Rosa of Tom Dumoulin (Team Sunweb).

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.

With the start of the Giro d'Italia, I am crowd funding my third cycling art book through Kickstarter.  I could use your support in making this book get made, please consider supporting the project here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/art-of-cycling-100th-giro-ditalia.  This will be just one of the hundred plus paintings that will be included.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/100th-Giro-dItalia/2967489-71-235247/PaintingHelping-HImself-G17-72.html

Paris Roubaix: Peloton & Pave

As the peloton entered the twentieth section of pave, it was Peter Sagan (Bora Hansgrohe) bedecked in his World Champion rainbow jersey that lead the way.  Sagan has learned that being on the front of the group on the pave, makes for a saver ride (and considerably less dusty to boot).  Other riders riding under the banner included, BMC, Katusha, Quickstep and FDJ.  At this point it was mainly the domestiques setting the pace for their team leaders to do the work later in the race.  It feels like absolutely every step of the way has been lined by enthusiastic cycling fans from all over Europe out on a sunny day to see their favorite riders.

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-Classics-/2947308-388-195767/PaintingPeloton-&-Pave-PR17-2.html

E3 Harelbeke: Pushing the Pace

Now there was a rather powerful group of riders about a minute up the road containing riders like Philippe Gilbert (Quickstep), Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) and some other contenders.  Left behind, and chasing hard, was Tony Martin in his new Katusha-Alpecin colors.  Close the the UCI Time Trial Champion was the Rainbow Jersey of the Road Champion, Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrphe).  Keeping an eye on the pair of rather accomplished riders was Matteo Trentin  (Quickstep).  The peloton is speeding across one of the few flat sections of cobbles, the Mairaborreestaat, leaving just 50 kilometers to race and only three more sections of pave to traverse.

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%20/2939886-383-195767/PaintingPushing%20the%20Pace%20E317-4.html

Paris Nice, Stage 4: In the Last Turn

Ilnur Zakarin (Katusha) has been keeping a low profile thus far, but in the individual time trial, there is no place to hide.  Fortunately for the Russian, he had now reason to hide nor to be ashamed of his performance today.  He just missed upsetting the time of Alberto Contador, but his ride today kept him well within striking distance of the Yellow Jersey as the race moves southwards.

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%20/2931061-351-195767/PaintingIn%20the%20Last%20Turn%20PN17-16.html#.WMBZMPkrLIU

Paris Nice Stage 3 Ahead of Some Big Names

The Irish cyclist Sam Bennett (Bora Hansgrohe) had to be very pleased with his sprint victory indeed
Not only had he been guided through the final kilometers by the World Champion and teammate Peter Sagan but he was able to out sprint the likes of Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) - 2nd place John Degenkolb (Trek Segafredo) - 3rd place and Marcel Kittel (Quickstep) - 4th place  Rounding out some of the other top ten placings were Michael Matthews (Sunweb) and Andre Greipel (Lotto Soudal)  The mass sprint also meant that none of the jerseys changed hands including the Polka Dots of Romain Hardy (Fortuneo Vital Concept)

I apologize for the lack of punctuation but the gremlins are still denying me periods commas semi-colons and question marks  Perhaps I will devise a work around before the race reaches the Mediterranean Sea

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%20/2930347-348-195767/PaintingAhead%20of%20Some%20Big%20Names%20PN17-13.html#.WL74zPkrLIU

Paris Nice Stage 2 Cold But Pleased

It was less than ideal riding conditions that found this five man break out ahead of the peloton  Given that two men in this group are mere seconds behind the Yellow Jersey - Philippe Gilbert (Quickstep) and Tony Gallopin (Lotto Soudal) or is it Lotto All In - I am quite surprised they were able to get away  The other three in the group Maarten Wynants (LottoNL Jumbo) Sven Erik Bystrom (Katusha) and Evaldas Siskeuicius (Delko Marseille Provence KTM) must have been thanking their lucky legs to have been able to team up with two such strong and motivated riders  Bystrom must have been hearten to see his country's flag cheering him in the cold wet ride to Amilly

I apologize for the lack of punctuation but the gremlins are still denying me periods commas semi-colons and question marks  Perhaps I will devise a work around before the race reaches the Mediterranean Sea

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%20/2930004-341-195767/PaintingCold%20But%20Pleased%20%20PN17-6.html#.WL4evfkrLIU

Kuurne=Brussels-Kuurne: Just Getting Back

While Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) busied himself loading up on drinks and energy bars, Baptiste Planckaert (Katusha) managed to catch back up with the chasing group of favorites.  Planckaert had crashed with his teammate Tony Martin and another rider, neither of whom were able to rejoin the business end of the race.

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%20/2926077-330-195767/PaintingJust%20Getting%20Back%20KBK17-3.html#.WLOQwfkrLIU

Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne: On the Hunt

The constant turns, short climbs and sections of pave had split the peloton into numerous groups,  With a break away of roughly eight guys up the road, it was the second group of twenty that held most of the favorites.  At this point, they were being lead by Tony Martin (Katusha) sporting his new team colors, coincidentally, it was his former teammate, Dries Devenyns (Quickstep) who had just swung of the front to let Martin pull the peloton along.  Unfortunately, Martin crashed shortly after I painted this, skinning his face on the asphalt, and dropping back into the following peloton.  His crashed was caused by the forming echelon and the crowd of riders trying to find shelter from the wind.

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%20/2926072-329-195767/PaintingOn%20the%20Hunt%20KBK17-2.html#.WLONPvkrLIU

Tour Down Under Final Stage Young Legs

Jhonatan Restrepo (Katusha) should wisdom beyond his years ahead of the second intermediate sprint today  With a small group up the road he knew that all of the bonus seconds would go to them and not to his close rivals on the GC so he and a teammate sprinted across the gap to join the escapees  He arrived in time to contest the sprint (which he won) ahead of Johannes Frohlinger (Team Sunweb)  The effort moved him up to tenth overall and ensured that he would claim the White Jersey of best young rider in the 2017 Tour Down Under  Francois Bidard (Ag2r La Mondiale) just watched the pair go (although he got third in the sprint) he was far more interested in making the break away stick  I should note that Restrepo sat up immediately after the sprint and rejoined the peloton - his goal achieved!

I apologize the punctuation gremlins have return to my computer leaving me with not periods commas or colons unless I use the follow cut and paste section

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/2908844-131-194179/PaintingYoung%20Legs%20TDU17-33.html#.WIUsrfkrLIU

Tour Down Under Stage 1: Bonus Seconds

With the lone break back in the fold, there was more at stake when the peloton reached the second sprint in Cockatoo Valley.  Not only would the first three riders collect points in the sprint competition, but the winner of the sprint would get a three second bonus, with two and one seconds going to the other placings.  Historically, the Tour Down Under is one by just a handful of seconds after the six stages have been raced, therefore riders need to fight for every second out on the road.  Jose Goncalves (Katusha) opened up the sprint but was nipped at the line by Jay McCarthy (Bora-Hansgrohe).  The Tour Down Under is the first chance to see the new kits, and teams of the coming season, Bora-Hangrohe is one of the new teams taking to the roads of South Australia.

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/2905254-101-194179/PaintingBonus%20Seconds%20TDU17-3.html#.WH22VvkrLIU

Doha 2016, Elite Men's ITT: Very Efficient

Tony Martin (Germany) is in a very efficient aero tuck as he pushes his massive 58 tooth chain ring over and over.  Martin set the new best time at every check point along the course on his way to the one that matter most.  It was a treat to watch the master of the discipline churn his legs on his way to his fourth Rainbow Jersey.  It has taken him three years to reclaim what he had lost first to Bradley Wiggins and then to the man behind him on the road, Vasil Kiryienka (Belarus).  This time he was able to hold off the efforts of Kiryienka, but then unlike Richmond, he came to the Worlds healthy and fit.

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/Doha%202016%20UCI%20Road%20World%20Championships/2864464-37-227958/PaintingVery%20Efficient%20Doha37-Greig-Leach.html#.V_5wsOArLIU

Doha 2016, Men's TTT: New Best Time Check

The Elite Men's Team Time Trial seems to be building to a cresendo.  As each team reached the first time check, it felt like they set a new best time.  So it was with Katusha.  Natually, there were some exceptions to the building (or actually diminishing times), but Katusha was one who held onto their advantage as they race back on to the Pearl on the coastline of Doha.  It also felt like the men, having started a bit later in the day, seemed to be suffering less in the desert heat.  Although I imagine that those who were dropped by their teammates out on course who disagree with me.

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/Doha%202016%20UCI%20Road%20World%20Championships/2863256-7-227958/PaintingNew%20Best%20Time%20Check%20Doha7-Greig-Leach.html#.V_qgTPArLIU

Donostia Classica: Leaving the Others

The first attack on the Bordako Tontorra was launched by the leader (and former winner of this race), Adam Yates (Orica-BikeExchange).  The first to respond to the Englishman's attack was the Spaniard on the Russian team of Katusha, Joaquim Rodriguez.  Rodriguez bridged across and then went off on his own.  He left all of them behind as he neared the summit of the climb, could he reach the top still off the front?  With the finish line just seven kilometers from the top, it would be a fast dangerous ride down to the line in San Sebastian.

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, just follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2830790-325-195767/PaintingLeaving%20the%20Others%20Dono7-Greig-Leach.html#.V52JGLgrLIU

Tour, Final Stage: When It Mattered Most

Andre Greipel (Lotto Soudal) has won at least one stage in the previous five Tours de France.  At the start of the day, he had yet to cross the line first in any of the prior twenty stages in this edition of the Grand Boucle.  As the German National Champion crossed the line he looked to his right, just making sure that the fast closing Maillot Vert of Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) didn't beat him with his highly effective bike throw to the line.  At least this time he did not.  The sprint for the final stage victory was opened up by the Norwegian sprinter, Alexander Kristoff (Katusha), but he was no match for the "Gorilla."  Perhaps if the line had been another 100 meters, Sagan would have gotten around the powerful German sprinter.  The other Norwegian sprinting for the line was the national champion, Edvald Boasson Hagen (Dimension Data) who crossed the line in fourth place.  Sprint duties for his South African team fell to Boasson Hagen since the very successful Mark Cavendish left the Tour before the Alps to prepare for the Summer Olympics.  Rounding out the top five was Michael "Bling" Matthews (Orica-BikeExchange).  It is a nice fitting end to my day's paintings since the pair had shook hands prior to the end of the neutral start seventy kilometers ago.

This is the last of my Tour paintings for this year.  I am currently painting La Course and will post those in the next couple of hours.  Following that, I will take a bit of a break before capturing the Summer Olympics in Rio in about two weeks time.  I will be painting the lion share of the sporting events, not just focusing on cycling.  I hope you will check back for the "Art of the Olympics"

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.

Be sure to check out my second cycling art book, Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships, available online or through your local book seller.

To buy this painting, follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2828517-162-224974/PaintingWhen%20It%20Matters%20Most%20TdF163-Greig-Leach.html#.V5VrNLgrLIU

Tour, Stage 20: Over His Last One

It has been reported that Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) his hanging up his cleats at the end of this season.  If that is the case, than this is him cresting his last alpine pass in the Tour de France.  Not wanting to go out with a whimper, Purito jumped from the Yellow Jersey group and went on the offensive along with his teammate, Ilnur Zakarin.  It was a long shot thinking that they could catch those up the road, the leaders were two and a half minutes and there is only eleven kilometer (downhill) to the finish.  Still, nothing ventured, nothing gained.  Perhaps he could go down the wet roads faster than anyone ahead or behind.

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.

Be sure to check out my second cycling art book, Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships, available online or through your local book seller.

To buy this painting, follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2828173-152-224974/PaintingOver%20His%20Last%20One%20TdF153-Greig-Leach.html#.V5Q6LbgrLIU

Tour, Stage 19: Suffering

This title sums up the nineteenth stage of this Tour.  Many had crashed once the rains came down.  Amongst those to leave some lycra and skin on the alpine roads was the Maillot Jaune of Chris Froome (Sky).  Due to Team Sky's planning for every scenario, Froome was surrounded by his teammates.  One of whom, Geraint Thomas, happens to have a bike that fits Froome rather well.  Certainly much better than the one he got from neutral service on the climb of Mont Ventoux.  With Bardet up the road, everyone was racing hard leaving Froome no chance to trade back to his own steed.  Like sharks, the rest of the peloton was sensing blood in the water, almost literally given how wet the roads were.  For the first time since he pulled on the Maillot Jaune, Froome was losing time to his rivals.  But never one to panic, he reeled his biggest fear, Richie Porte (BMC) back in, but most of the others were able to pull back some time.  Froome was tended to by his faithful teammate, Wouter Poels the whole way up the climb.  As the pair crossed the line, Froome first act was to reach out, pat Poels on the back in thanks for all of his work.  Riding away from the Yellow Jersey are Fabio Aru (Astana), Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) and several others.  One the day, the big loser was Bauke Mollema (Trek-Segafredo), and losing time to his rival for the Maillot Blanc was Adam Yates (Orica-BikeExchange).  Although neither Froome nor Yates lost their jersey in the end.

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.

Be sure to check out my second cycling art book, Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships, available online or through your local book seller.

To buy this painting, follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2827782-143-224974/PaintingSuffering%20TdF144-Greig-Leach.html#.V5LNHrgrLIU

Tour, Stage 18: Back Underway

As the broadcast came back from commercial, this is what greeted my eyes.  Naturally I assumed Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) had crashed.  Nope.  He had a planned by change at the base of the climb.  Since this time trial was predominately uphill, riders were using all sorts of different variations of time trial versus road bike configurations.  The Katusha leader decided that rather than a hybrid of both bike technologies, he would simple switch from his time trial bike after covering the first flat four kilometers.  He then road the climb on the lighter road bike.  He did opt to take it all of the way to the line, which may have helped him get safely through the final corners at speed.  His mechanic managed to make the bike trade very quickly, aiding Rodriguez to finish in eighth place on the day.  I wonder if the skull and cross bones painted on the road was the reference point for where to make the change.

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%202016/2826666-129-224974/PaintingBack%20Underway%20TdF130-Greig-Leach.html#.V5E5ULgrLIU

Tour, Stage 17: Climbing Alone, Sort of

The Russian, Ilnur Zakarin (Katusha) may have been off the front riding alone, but given the thousands of fans lining the road, he was hardly alone.  Zakarin had attacked on the final climb up the Finhaut Emosson hoping to do better at the summit than he had on Stage 15.  Spoiler alert... He did.  With the stage finishing just at the summit of the climb, the riders had nothing left to left their arms in celebration, so this will have to do for Zakarin's stage victory painting.  Chapeau!  He has been selected to represent Russian in Rio for the Summer Olympics, but given the systemic doping through the Russian Olympic Federation, it remains to be seen whether if any Russians will be allowed to compete.  The UCI and ASO have such rigorous doping controls, that I am confident that he is not one of those trying to cheat (or he almost definitely would have been caught by now).  But he may be the "baby that gets thrown out with the bath water."

It is wonderful to have gotten into the 17th stage of the Tour without any mention of doping, let alone anyone being kick out of the race for positive blood test.  Perhaps the culture is truly changed.  Perhaps.

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%202016/2826272-123-224974/PaintingClimbing%20Alone,%20Sort%20of%20TdF124-Greig-Leach.html#.V5AAxriAOko

Tour, Stage 17: Obstacle Course

These three, Julian Alaphilippe (Etixx-Quickstep), Serge Pauwels (Dimension Data) and Alberto Losada (Katusha) flew down the last of the smaller climbs on the front side of the stage.  As they reached the bottom, there was a hard left that was filled with the "road furniture" that litters the roads of Europe.  To try and keep the riders safe, the signs and barriers in the middle of the road have hay bales place in front of them and then they are wrapped in plastic that has red and white stripes to make them stand out on the crowded corners.  Oddly, in France, the coverings are always on the diagonal, here in Switzerland, the are on the horizontal (or vertical).  Fortunately, everyone got around them safely.  No one seemed to want to test the padding around the signs.

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%202016/2826260-119-224974/PaintingObstacle%20Course%20TdF120-Greig-Leach.html#.V4_uTriAOko

Tour, Stage 16: Another Photo Finish

It is stunning to thing that after racing 209 kilometers, the winner of the race is a matter of two or three centimeters, maybe less.  While everyone hoped that the day would go to Fabian Cancellara (Trek-Segafredo) who lives in Bern and is racing his final Tour de France, no gifts are giving in professional cycling.  Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) who was still looking for his first stage when in this Tour de France was just beaten by Peter Sagan's (Tinkoff) bike throw to the line.  This is Sagan's third stage victory matching his Tour debute in 2012.  Cancellara managed a sixth place, but you can only see his shoulder in this painting (again I am limited by what the broadcasts provide).  John Degenkolb (Etixx-Quickstep) grabbed fourth proving his return to form after the horrific training accident this spring.  Micheal Matthews (Orica-BikeExchange) held on for fifth although I am sure he would have preferred to repeat his earlier stage victory.  Edvald Boasson Hagen (Dimension Data) had hoped to take the stage for his South African team on this, Nelson Mandela Day.  Unfortunately ninth on the stage was the best he could manage.  The cobbled climb at just two kilometers left to go proved too much for many sprinters (and others).  Sagan, however, won his Rainbow Jersey on a pair of cobbled climbs in Richmond, Virginia, both steeper than today's finale.

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%202016/2825140-117-224974/PaintingAnother%20Photo%20Finish%20TdF118-Greig-Leach.html#.V40n-rgrLIU