Tour of Britain, Stage 4: Greipel's Train

With a little over eight kilometers left in the longest stage of the Tour, it sure looked like Lotto Soudal had it all together for the victory.  Aiding Andre Greipel (wearing his green and red sprint leader's jersey) were Bean de Bie, Jens Debusschere, Frederick Frison, Marcel Seiberg and now back with his teammates, Tony Gallopin.  Mixing in with the red of Lotto Soudal was Paul Martens (LottoNL Jumbo).  When I painted this, I didn't realize that the third sprint of the day was just around the corner.  Greipel pulled third across that line. but spoiler alert, he didn't factor in the sprint for the stage.  I haven't yet learn why he wasn't in amongst it in Builth Wells.

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/2848900-54-189075/PaintingGreipel's%20Train%20ToB28-Greig-Leach.html#.V9DktpgrLIU

Tour, Stage 4: You Back There?

As the lead out train of Lotto Soudal nears the final kilometer banner, Marcel Sieberg looks back to make sure that his sprinter, Andre Greipel was still in the caboose position.  You can see the helmet of the German National Champion (and sprinter for the squad) just peering over the shoulder of the third man in the line.  Just after confirming that all was good, Greipel's countryman swung off of the front, his job done for the team and the day.  Doing a bit of freelancing behind the Belgium teams lead out is the Maillot Jaune of race leader, Peter Sagan (Tinkoff).  The pair were a virtual tie yesterday, I wonder if Greipel will get the better of Sagan today.

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.

Buy this painting here:  http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2818705-25-224974/PaintingYou%20Back%20There?%20TdF25-Greig-Leach.html#.V3v91LgrLIU

Tour Stage 3: Dangers Along the Way

Not only are there teams of riders backed by mechanics, chefs and soigneurs, but there is a full compliment of personnel that makes up the team that brings the race safely along the thousands of kilometers of byroads and highways that make up the Tour de France.  An important cog in the mechanism, are the thousands of volunteers, many home stand along the course warning the riders of dangers just around the corner.  The roads of Europe have incorporated what Phil Liggett calls, "traffic furniture" to slow down cars, but the fast moving peloton is put at risk by these adornments.  Marcel Sieberg (Lotto-Belisol) leads Ji Cheng (Giant Shimano), the first Chinese racer to get a ride at the Tour de France, into a round-a-bout.  While it looks like he is on his cell phone, he is actually speaking into his team race radio, letting the rest of the team know about the danger ahead.  This is an original small 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 and it will be included in my soon to be self published, "Book de Tour".  Please visit  https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour to learn more, pre-order your copy and maybe get involved in bring this race to print.  To buy this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2397728-18-12-199992/Painting/Sports.html#.U7s1s8_D_IU