Tour, Stage 11: In the Open

Today's stage was going to be about to things, a flat run to Montpellier and the strong cross winds of Provence.  Perhaps wanting to show the tricolore jersey of the French National Champion or maybe just to see if the peloton wasn't paying attention, Arthur Vichot (FDJ) went out on the attack, catching onto the wheel of the Australian on the Swiss team, Leigh Howard (IAM Cycling).  The duo went out into the exposed roads and flat fields of the south of France on what should be a sprinter's stage.  The only chance they might have to carry their lead all of the way to Montpellier is that the peloton were disrupted by crashes (God forbid) or that the winds play such havoc that those behind forgot about those out front.  Neither scenario was very likely.

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%202016/2823040-72-224974/PaintingIn%20the%20Open%20TdF72-Greig-Leach.html#.V4aT2LgrLIU

Tour, Stage 1: Well Done, My Friend

After Paul Voss (Bora-Argon 18) went over the final climb of the day, he awaited the return of his erstwhile break away companions.  As the group caught up led by his teammate, Jan Barta, he was given a nice pat on the back for claiming all of the KOM points on the day.  Joining the Bora-Argon duo where local boy, Anthony Delaplace (Fortuneo Vital Concept), Leigh Howard (IAM Cycling) and the American, Alex Howes (Cannondale-Drapac).  The group of five had over two minutes on the peloton behind, but it was sure to be a day for the sprinters.

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/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2817367-2-224974/PaintingWell%20Done,%20My%20Friends%20TdF2-Greig-Leach.html#.V3fwT7grLIU

Volta Catalunya Stage 1: Shoulder to Shoulder

Once the peloton had done it's job and sucked up all of the aggressive breaks since the top of the final climb, it was up to the sprinter's teams to get their man in the right position.  It should make for interesting atypical sprints with most of the marquee names skipping this race in favor of yesterday's Milan-San Remo.  Plus this stage race features quite a number of tough climbs and two mountain top finishes, not exactly the terrain of the speeders of the final kilometer.  So it was Giant Shimano and Orica GreenEdge bringing their sprinters, Luka Mezgec and Leigh Howard to the final meters to fight it out.  Today the race was Luka's and the win on the first stage puts him into the leader's jersey for the next stage of the Volta Catalunya.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can 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%202014/2333735---195767/Painting.html#.UzC10cvD_IU