Tour de France, Final Stage: Opening Up the Race

Either the toughness of the Tour up to today, or the rain soaked cobbles of the Champs Elysees had kept the race together and rather sedate.  Finally, it was Andriy Grivko (Astana) who opened up the first attack.  He was quickly joined by the youngest man still in the race, Louis Meintjes (MTN-Qhubeka).  The pair got the peloton to start racing, unfortunately, that meant that the rest of the race were quickly on to the back wheels of the pair.

This is an original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson and Company, www.richesonart.com.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To buy this particular painting for only $60 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Be aware, since this is an original work of art, once it has sold, it is gone.  I would recommend not delaying.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2586323-146-210122/Painting.html#.VbW9PPlViko

Tour de France, Stage 18: Making the Polka Dots His

Even though Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) has been wearing the Maillot a Pois, he has only had it on loan from Chris Froome (Team Sky).  With Froome's ownership of the Maillot Jaune, the wearing of the next jersey in importance goes to the rider in second position in that competition.  Today, Rodriguez put himself into the early break going over the early climb of the Col Bayard first with Serge Pauwels (MTN-Qhubeka) just off of his wheel.  With the five points on offer, the Polka Dot Jersey of the King of the Mountains was now his by rights (on the road).  It does remain to be seen if he can out score any off the others in the break with him.  The second stage in the Alps still has 180 kilometers and six more categorized climbs to go.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Co., www.richesonart.com.  They are a small US based family run art supply company that has really wonderful products for art making.  This painting, and all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for only $60 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Be aware that because it is an original one of a kind work, once it has sold it is gone. So, don't delay.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2583577-115-210122/Painting.html#.VbE_wflVikr

Tour de France, Stage 17: Climbing to the Top of the Tour

Not wanting to make his stint early on in the Maillot a Pois seemed like a fluke, the darling of Eritrea, Daniel Teklehaimanet (MTN-Qhubeka) went out from the early break in pursuit of Simon Geschke (Giant Alpecin) and more points in the King of the Mountains competition.  With Chris Froome (Team Sky) holding both the Maillot Jaune and the Maillot a Pois, it would be quite a stretch for Teklehaimanet to reclaim the Polka Dots of the King of the Mountains.  The side race for all of  MTN-Qhubeka is the Team Competition where his wildcard team now sits second overall just twenty minutes behind Movistar.  The Team Competition is decided by the combined times of the top three riders for each team.  Movistar started the day with riders sitting in second and fourth overall, so MTN-Qhubeka will have a chore closing the gap.

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, www.richesonart.com.  They are a small family run art supply company that really does have excellent art making materials.  This painting, and in fact all of my cycling artwork, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for only $60 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Don't delay however, since it is an original painting, when it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2583533-111-210122/Painting.html#.VbAEsvlViko

Tour de France, Stage 14: Wildcard

After surprising both Romain Bardet (AG2R) and Thibaut Pinot (FDJ), Stephen Cummings (MTN-Qhubeka) was able to charge down the runway above Mende to claim victory for his South African team on the National Mandela Day Holiday.  MTN-Qhubeka came to the start today in Rodez with a new helmet.  The team donned orange helmets to honor the man who had given so much of his life to end Apartheid and become the first President of the newly united country.  Cummings' win today marks the first win for one of the Wildcard teams of the Tour de France.  The Tour is comprise of the 18 ProTour teams and 4 teams that are given wildcard invitations by the race organizers.  While teams like Bretagne-Seche and Cofidis are French teams that regular compete in the Tour, MTN-Qhubeka is making its first appearance in the Grand Bucle.  It is always a great move to win a stage in one's first appearance to the most well know bike race in the world.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Co., www.richesonart.com.  Plus, this painting, and all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for only $60 just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Don't delay, since this is a one of a kind original work of art, when it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2581996---210122/Painting.html#.VatJo_lViko

Tour de France, Stage 14: Jumping the Frenchmen

Out of the original breakaway the team of FDJ set it up for their man, Thibaut Pinot, to jump away on the final climb up out of Mende.  AG2R did the same for their man, Romain Bardet.  However neither Frenchman nor French team had counted on the ability of Stephen Cummings (MTN-Qhubeka) to come charging up from behind as the pair rode under the flame rouge indicating the final kilometer of the day's racing.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Co., www.richesonart.com.  Plus, this painting, and all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for only $60 just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Don't delay, since this is a one of a kind original work of art, when it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2581994---210122/Painting.html#.VatGWflViko 

Tour de France, Stage 11: Still One More

Dan Martin (Cannondale Garmin) who had made a spectacular bridge across from the peloton to the break away up the Col d'Aspin, was the first to summit that Col.  He then hung with the lead group up the Col du Tourmalet until the last kilometer of the group.  Well technically, he did hold on to the group, he just wasn't able to go with the attacks put in by Rafal Majka (Tinkoff Saxo) and Serge Pauwels (MTN-Qhubeka).  Both Majka and Pauwels slipped away from the others and gained more time on the fast descent off of the Tourmalet.  Pauwels couldn't hold onto Majka across the valley, and Martin was able to catch the Belgium on the final climb up to the finishing line, but just didn't have enough road to catch the climber from Poland.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for just $60 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Don't delay, this is a one of a kind original, so once it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2581040---210122/Painting.html#.VacpJvlViko

Tour de France Stage 11: On Their Way Up

On the heels of a most difficult first stage in the Pyrennes, today the peloton set out to conquer to of the infamous climbs of the Tour.  This break of Thomas Voeckler (Europcar), Serge Pauwels (MTN-Qhubeka), Rafal Majka (Tinkoff Saxo) and Emanuel Buchman (Bora-Argon 18) amongst others were the first to hit the lower slopes of the Col d'Aspin.  Voeckler was hoping to repeat some of his earlier career exploits where he has escaped the peloton and gone on to solo for a victory.  Having Majka along might make that a little more difficult to achieve.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for just $60 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2580828---210122/Painting.html#.Vaaf5_lViko

Tour de France Stage 7: A Dream Fulfilled

The feel good story of this Tour, so far, is that of the Eritrean, Daniel Telkehaimanet (MTN-Qhubeka).  As the story is being reported, as a young kid in Africa he would watch tapes of the Tour de France and dream of one day getting to race the Grand Boucle.  Rather than imagine himself in the Maillot Jaune, he would imagine himself wearing the Maillot a Pois.  Here he is this many years later, wearing the jersey as the fruit of his labors from Stage 6.  With one Category 4 climb at the start of the stage today, Telkeaimanet went in the break that was formed by Luis Mate (Cofidis).  The pair were joined by the pair of riders from Bretagne-Seche, Anthony Delaplace and Brice Feillu, and Kristijan Durasck (Lampre-Merida).  With the pancake flat stage elevation after the small climb, this stage was sure to be one for the sprinters, but if you don't go in the break, you have no chance of winning the stage.

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 (www.richesonart.com).  They are a wonderful family run art supply company located in the northern mid-west of the United States.  This painting, and all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for only $60 USD just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Don't delay, this is an original watercolor, so when it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2578922---210122/Painting.html#.VaAVPflViko

Tour de France Stage 6: Who Got That One?

Very little is given in the Tour de France, it must all be earned.  While I am sure that his breakaway companions knew that Daniel Teklehaimanet (MTN-Qhubeka) desperately wanted the Maillot Pois, it doesn't mean that they weren't going to fight for it to.  As Kenneth Van Bilsen (Cofidis) and Teklehaimanet sprinted to the summit of the Cote de Pourville-sur-Mer, neither was sure who had taken the sole KOM point on offer.  The duo checked with each other, but it was the Tour organizer's computer that awarded the point to Teklehaimanet.  That made it two out of two climbs on the way to claiming the Polka Dot Jersey.  At this point he is tied with Roaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) but if he wins the final climb of the day, it will be his outright.

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.  They are a family run art supply company located in the northern midwest United States.  You can find them on the web at www.richesonart.com.  You can find this painting and many others at my artist website at www.greigleach.com and you can purchase this painting for only $60 USD while you are there.  To buy this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  International shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2578464---210122/Painting.html#.VZ7FTPlViko

Tour de France Stage 6: Three in a Row

Perrig Quemeneur (Europcar) put himself into yet another break away in the opening week of the Tour de France.  Quemeneur was joined in the effort, that went away with just five kilometers gone, by Daniel Teklehamanent (MTN-Qhubeka) and Kenneth Van Bilsen (Cofidis).  Teklehamanent started the day with the plan of fulfilling a childhood dream, a dream of wearing the Mailliot Pois in a Tour de France.  All he had to do was get over all three Category 4 climbs first.  As his teammate, Tyler Farrar, said, "Easy to say on the bus, an entirely different think to accomplish out on the road."  But accomplish it he did, making him the first black African to wear a King of the Mountain Jersey in one of the Grand Tours.  Van Bilsen's presence in the break marks the first time that the French team, Cofidis as showed their bright red kit to the TV cameras in this Tour.

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.  They are a family run art supply company located in the northern midwest United States.  You can find them on the web at www.richesonart.com.  You can find this painting and many others at my artist website at www.greigleach.com and you can purchase this painting for only $60 USD while you are there.  To buy this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  International shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2578442---210122/Painting.html#.VZ7CEvlViko

Tour de France Stage 3: Wide Open Roads

The Tour left the roads of the Netherlands crossing onto the flat wide open roads of Belgium.  The early breakaway seems to have found the only stretch of the entire stage that wasn't chocked full of cycling crazed Belgians.  Jan Barta (Bora-Argon 18) who had managed to get into the break yesterday, was joined by Bryan Naulleau (Europcar), Louis Meintjes (MTN-Qhubeka) and Martin Elimger (IAM Cycling).  Elimger is no stranger to the heart break of a Tour de France break away.  He and a fellow escapee where caught just 50 meters from the line as the peloton swooped into Nimes in the 2014 Tour de France.  The open roads can often lead to strong cross roads so you can be sure that the peloton behind was keeping a watchful eye on wind speed and direction.

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, a family run art supply company with incredible products for all sorts of artistic endeavors.  Their website is www.richesonart.com.  In addition, this painting is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for only $60 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  But don't delay, since it is an original there is only one of these paintings available and you wouldn't want to miss your opportunity to have a piece of art from the 102nd Tour de France.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2577150---210122/Painting.html#.VZtsrPlViko

Tour de France Stage 1: Many First

The 102nd Tour de France got underway today with a short individual time trial through the streets of Utrecht in the Netherlands.  Daniel Teklehaimanet (MTN-Qhubeka) was the first of 190 men to ride down the ramp and out into the opening stage of the Tour.  Teklemhaimanet is the first Eritrean to race the Tour and this is his team's first opportunity to ride in the race around France.  With his departure from the start gate, today is the first time that the Tour has ever started in the Dutch city of Utrecht.  So this painting does represent quite a few firsts for the Tour and for my project of painting every stage of the race every day.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my cycling art is available for purchase through 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, international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2576522-1-0-210122/Painting/Sports.html#.VZifkvlViko

Liege Bastogne Liege: Life at the Back

Life at the back of the peloton is a mixed back of struggling, mechanicals and other special cycling skills.  Zdenek Stybar (Etixx Quickstep) is racing his arm to call forward his team car for some assistance.  Riders will drop back to the rear of the peloton and signal the race director that they need some help from their team car, of course they have already talked with their Director Sportif via radio to let him know just what the problem is.  Other riders like Mike Terpstra (Roompot) may be struggling to hold the pace of the group, while others like, Stephen Cummings (MTN Qhubeka) and Arnold Jeannesson (FDJ) are answering the call of nature.

When the pace is on, riders will merely get out of the peloton, whip it out, and let the stream flow.  So it is a courtesy to drop to the back, I imagine it isn't much fun to be in the slip stream of a rider who is relieving himself.  When the pace is slow, or in a mutual agreement among the group, riders will actually stop along the side of the road for a "break naturale".  Does that fit into the "too much information" category?

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is 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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2546756---195767/Painting.html#.VT41-CHBzGc

E3 Harelbeke: Dropping Off

The early break of four riders quickly became three as Sjoerd Van Ginnekin (Roompot) dropped off of the pace as they ascended the Kapelberg.  It was Dries Devenyns (IAM Cycling) that lifted the pace on the climb, fortunately for them, Sean De Bie (Lotto Soudal) and Kristian Sbaragli (MTN-Qhubeka) were able to hold the Belgium rider's wheel.  The foursome had an avantage of four minutes on the peloton earlier in the race, but now it gap was only a minute between the two groups.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for only $50 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  And yes, international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2533364---195767/Painting.html#.VRZmfPnF-xU

Milano Sanremo: Thinning Down

As the breakaway hit the Cape Berta, one of the short step climbs ahead of the two bigger and infamous climbs that come with just a few kilometers to the line, it was Stefano Pirazzi (Bardiani CSF) whose pace thinned out the break.  Seven members of the break were already dropped and it appears that Serge Pauwels (MTN-Qhubeka) and Julien Berard (AG2R) will shortly join the others.  It was only Pirazzi's countryman, Matteo Bono (Lampre Merida) that could hold the Italian's wheel.  It would be a tall order for these two to stay away, but now it is only about 40 kilometers left to race.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting is 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.  The painting is only $50 USD and international shipping is available.

If you are enjoying reading about bike racing this way with the accompanying artwork please check out my recently published Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France.  The book is available through virtually every online bookseller.  So google the title to discover where you can get a copy and avoid international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2531038---195767/Painting.html#.VRDPKvnF-xU

Milano Sanremo: Gambling Long

A large group of eleven riders formed the early break away of the day.  It was a move that was more than the average long shot.  This group including, Stefano Pirazzi (Bardiani CSF), Marco Frapporti (Androni Giocattoli), Serge Pauwels (MTN-Qhubeka) among others, have another 100 kilometers to attempt to thwart the desires of the sprinters.  The course doesn't have enough sharp climbs to shed the sprinters, nor hide the break away from the peloton.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting is 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.  The painting is only $50 USD and international shipping is available.

If you are enjoying reading about bike racing this way with the accompanying artwork please check out my recently published Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France.  The book is available through virtually every online bookseller.  So google the title to discover where you can get a copy and avoid international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2531036---195767/Painting.html#.VRDMl_nF-xU

Omloop Het Nieuwsbald: Picking Up Lunch

As the announcer for Cycling.tv said, it is now Spring in Belgium, at least as far as cycling is concerned. Most of the ProTour teams were joined by numerous Continental teams at the start of the first of the northern cobbled Classics and what has oft been considered the start of the European racing calendar.  One of the domestiques for Team Sky gave a quick hand gesture as he slid over to pick up as many musettes for his teammates as he could.  The peloton was being lead by the new colors (and new name) of Team Lotto Jumbo NL.  Tucked onto their wheel are the new boys hoping to move up to ProTour status, Team MTN-Qhubeka.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  In addition, this painting is 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.

If you are enjoying reading about cycling this way and the accompanying artwork, be sure to check out my recently published book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France"
http://www.greigleach.com/gallery/201710/Book+de+Tour/#.VPOW8vnF-xU

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%202014/2519120-130-126-195767/Painting/Sports.html#.VPOYh_nF-xU

Ruta del Sol Final Stage: Head of the Race

Maciej Paterski (CCC Spandi) was feeling good on the final day of racing, he seemed to drag the rest of his break away companions along, thinning the group out in the process. With less than 30 kilometers left to race, the original six was now down to three.  Those that were able to hold the Polish rider's wheel, Merhawi Kudus Ghebremedhin (MTN-Qhubeka) and Johnny Hoogerland (Roompot).  Hoogerland always sticks in my mind as the most unfortunate rider from a number of years ago in the Tour de France.  He was the rider who was hit by a VIP vehicle during an Alpine stage and knocked into a barb wire fence.  The inspiring part of the story, he got back on the bike a finished the stage.  That night, he went to the hospital to get something like forty stitches, then lined up for the start the next day.  These are hard men who race in tight lycra!

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  Yes, international shipping is available.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

If you have enjoyed reading about bike racing with the accompanying artwork please be sure to check out my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France"  The book is available through most online book stores worldwide.  Just Google the title to find where you can purchase the book and avoid international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Other%202015%20Cycling%20Art/2515978---206768/Painting.html#.VOvKufnF-xU

Ruta del Sol Final Stage: Six Away

As per usual, the final stage of the Ruta del Sol had the requiste early breakaway.  This time one team managed to put more than one rider into the group.  With only six riders in the break, two of them ride for MTN-Qhubeka (my vote for the best kit in the peloton).  The group was comprised of Merhawi Kudus Ghebremedhin and Jim Songezo (MTN-Qhubeka), Dario Martin Hernandez (Burgos BH), Johnny Hoogerland (Roompot) and Maciej Paterski (CCC Spandi),  With today's stage the last chance for the sprinters to show their legs, this break wasn't given more than a two minute gap on the peloton.  Giant-Alpecin was still looking for a stage win for their man, John Degenkolb.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from the family run art supply company, www.richesonart.com.  In additon, this painting is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  Yes, international shipping is available.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

If you have enjoyed reading about bike racing with the accompanying artwork please be sure to check out my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France"  The book is available through most online book stores worldwide.  Just Google the title to find where you can purchase the book and avoid international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Other%202015%20Cycling%20Art/2515766---206768/Painting.html#.VOu0iPnF-xU

Ruta del Sol Stage 2: I Know They're Coming

Most often a break away is caught by the peloton, and today was going to be no exception.  With just about 20 kilometers left to race, Pirim Lang (IAM Cycling) swung out of the pace line to look back for the charging peloton.  The original group of five were now down to four, the others being, Nick Dougall (MTN-Qhubeka), Sjorea Van Ginneken (ROO) and Adrian Honkisz (CCC Polkowice).  While getting into the break faces all most certain failure, it still is better odds of winning a stage than hanging out in the peloton.  Plus it gives valuable air time to the team sponsors.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that  is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for only $50 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  International shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Other%202015%20Cycling%20Art/2514040---206768/Painting.html#.VOg429g5DIU