Tour of Britain, Final Stage: About to Start

The entire peloton lined up on the road side under the Admiralty Arch on the streets of London.  Well, all but eight of those who had started a week ago in Glasgow, Scotland.  As is the tradition of every stage start, all of the leaders' jerseys are placed front and center, with the rest of the peloton lining up as they like.  Just out of  "camera" is Rohan Dennis (BMC) in the points jersey.  Next to him and in camera is the King of the Mountian, Xandro Meurisse (Wanty Group Gobert), then the Yellow Jersey of Steve Cummings (Dimension Data).  Breaking into the line up is the American, Taylor Phinney (BMC), perhaps he is planning something for the start.  And finally the sprinter leader, Jasper Bovenhuis (An Post Chain Reaction).  Bovenhuis has only to take one more of the intermediate sprints on the day to ensure his overall victory in the competition.  Unlike most stages, there is no neutral start for this circuit race through the streets of London, once the flag drops, the race is on.

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%20of%20Britain/2850489-83-189075/PaintingAbout%20to%20Start%20ToB57-Greig-Leach.html#.V9ZCApgrLIU

Tour Stage 3: Swinging Past the Palace Gates

The planners of the route of the final stage of the 101st Tour de France to be raced in the United Kingdom sure wanted that final visuals to be a stunning lasting image.  The final curve of the 201 kilometer stage from Cambridge to London took the peloton through the grand gates of Buckingham Palace leaving the final sprint to be contested on the ceremonial approach to the Palace.  They did have a blueprint to work from, the finale was the same as the route used in the 2012 Summer Olympic Road Race.  Many of the men in the peloton today had contested the same finale in the Olympics, though the winner of the Gold Medal, Vinokurov, is now the General Manager of Astana.  He was equally pleased to be holding the Yellow Jersey today as he was to hold Olympic Gold then.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  It will appear in my soon to be self published, "Book de Tour".  To learn more about the book project, to pre-order your copy, or to get involved in bringing this Tour de France to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  If you would like 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%202014/2397774---199992/Painting.html#.U7tPz8vD_IU

Tour Stage 3: Not Enough Road

When Jan Barta (NetApp-Endura) sensed that the peloton was closing in, he jumped away from his compatriot, Jean-Marc Bideau (Bretagne-Seche) and pushed on in hopes of a solo victory.  Barta has proven his abilities to go it alone having just become the Time Trial Champion of the Czech Republic.  As he peaked under his arm, I am sure his thought had to be, "There is not enough road between my wheel and the peloton."  I am sure the sprinters where glad to see him as they crested this small rise, they don't like sprinting for second place on the stage.  This is an original small watercolor and ink postcard that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  In addition this painting will be part of my soon to be self published, "Book de Tour".  To learn more about the book project, to pre-order you copy, or to get involved in bringing this art of racing 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%202014/2397766---199992/Painting.html#.U7tLeMvD_IU

Tour Stage 3: Revving It Up for Greipel

The peloton reached the outskirts of London with the two man break still up the road.  Astana had no real interest in catching the pair since they were over ten minutes down on the Yellow Jersey on the back of Vincenzo Nibali.  I was surprised to learn that it is his first "Yellow Fleece" in his career, watching him dominate the 2013 Giro d'Italia I assumed he had done well in the Tour before.  With Astana not trying to catch the break away, it was up to the sprinter's teams to do the work.  So it was Lars Bak (Lotto-Belisol) that brought his team to the front for their man, Andre Greipel, to reel in the escapees.  Shortly after this, he could be seen gesturing somewhat rudely to the other sprinters' teams to get up front and do some of the work.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  In addition, this work will be included in my soon to be self published, "Book de Tour".  To learn more about the book project, to pre-order, or to help be part of bring the art of cycling to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  If you would like 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%202014/2397760---199992/Painting.html#.U7tHfM_D_IU