Tour, Stage 14: Down to Two

First it was Cesare Benedetti (Bora-Argon 18) who went back to the peloton,  Then on a small rise out of town, it was Alex Howes (Cannondale-Drapac) who just couldn't hold the wheels of these two Tour de France veterans.  The fans lined every kilometer of the stage today, some waving giant French flags, delighted to see one of their countrymen on the front of the race for 173 kilometers of the stage.  The fan lined roads sort of made the neon green directional arrow (over to the left) rather unnecessary to show the riders the way to go.  Jeremy Roy (FDJ) and Martin Elmiger (IAM Cycling) teams have won a stage yet, so both were hoping they could bring stage glory to the team bus at the end of the day.  They only had to hold of the whole of the peloton for another five kilometers, to bad they only had about a 15 second lead.

I am delighted that Jeremy Roy put himself in front of the camera.  I have been hoping to paint him in the Tour since meeting him in Richmond, Virginia during the UCI Road World Championships.  I was painting the races live just across from the awards presentation podium when a rather attractive thin Frenchman walked up and introduced himself.  I have painted him in a number of different races in the past, so he took the opportunity saw hello in the real world.  We both took selfies together and then got back to our respective jobs.

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%202016/2824417-101-224974/PaintingDown%20to%20Two%20TdF102-Greig-Leach.html#.V4qYRLgrLIU

Tour, Stage 14: "You Know They're Here?"

The four man break had been off the front for at least 150 kilometers by now.  As the group of Alex Howes (Cannondale-Drapac), Cesare Benedetti (Bora-Argon 18), Martin Elmiger (IAM Cycling) and Jeremy Roy (FDJ) swung around a round-about on the way into Villars les Dombes Parc des Oiseauz, Howes seemed to ask his compatriots, "You know they're here, right?"  The peloton and the break had been playing a little game of cat and mouse for the last twenty odd kilometes.  When the peloton sped up so did the break and when one slowed down, so did the other.  In fact, this went on for a bit longer although it was Howes who threw in the towel first and rejoined the peloton.

On a sprint stage, the peloton does not want to catch the break too far out from the finish line.  If they do, it makes it harder to control the other teams and almost guarantees that others will attack the bunch.

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%202016/2824408-100-224974/Painting#.V4qSHbgrLIU

Tour, Stage 14: Rolling Through Town

By now you know the pattern as well as I, the break away goes early.  And then, on the flat stages like today, they are chased down by the teams of the sprinters.  Today this foursome of Martin Elmiger (IAM Cycling), Jeremy Roy (FDJ), Cesare Benedetti (Bora-Argon 18) and Alex Howes (Cannondale-Drapac) could managed to shake the grip of the peloton until 30 kilometers into the stage.  The peloton wasn't in the mood to let these guys get any real time, keeping the gap inside of five minutes at the most.  Today may well be the last chance in the Tour for the sprinters to show their stuff until we reach the Champs Elysees in Paris.  A new give away from the publicity caravan for this year is a roll up sign like the one the fan is showing to the riders (and the camera).  On the reverse, the logo of Vittel water is displayed, and on the front their is space to write any message the fan chooses.  I do wonder if they are providing markers.  Their have only been one or two that I have been able to read thus far.

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%202016/2824393-97-224974/PaintingRolling%20Through%20Town%20TdF98-Greig-Leach.html#.V4qD4rgrLIU

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 Stage 19: Leading the Way

The final day of open road racing was greeted by yet more rain.  More rain and the regular early break with some of the usual players for the long shot.  The peloton was guided through the course by a five man escape group that included some of the usual suspects, Martin Elmiger (IAM Cycling), Cyril Gautier (Europcar), Tom Jelte Slagter (Garmin Sharp) and Rein Taatamae (Cofidis).  The only new guy to the party was the Bretagne-Seche man, Arnuad Gerard.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Stave Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson and Company, www.richesonart.com.  This painting is available through my artist website, www.greigleach.com and will be included in my soon to be self published complete collection of my paintings of the 101st Tour de France, "Book de Tour."  To learn more about the book project, to pre order your copy, or to discover how you can become a part of bringing this art of cycling to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  There are some fabulous Backer Rewards for those who choose to pledge to the Kickstarter "Book de Tour" project for as little as $5 USD.  Every level of support will get your name printed on the Special Thanks page of the book.  To purchase this painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post. 

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2408440-145-138-199992/Painting/Sports.html#.U9MsM8_D_IU

Tour Stage 15: Maybe, Just Maybe

Inside of the final kilometer of the run into Nimes, the break away of Jack Bauer (Garmin Sharp) and Martin Elmiger (IAM Cycling) was still off of the front.  As long as the pair didn't play around with trying to be the one at the rear when it was time to sprint, they actually had a chance to get to the line before those at full flight behind got to the line.  This sport can be very cruel in the most widely varied ways, and this Tour seems to want to show us every one.  The duo had been off of the front of the race since the opening kilometers and where still out there with one half of one kilometer out of the entire 222 kilometer stage to go.  For them not to get to fight it out for the stage victory would just be too cruel.  But then it is a cruel and heartless sport, performed by men of great heart.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  The painting will appear along with all of my 101st Tour de France paintings into my soon to be self published cycling art book, "Book de Tour."  To learn more about the book project, to pre order your own copy, or to discover how you can become involved in bringing the 2014 Tour de France to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  There are some fabulous incentives for those who choose to back this projects, rewards start at just $5 USD, and you can get an artist signed copy for only $25 USD, any amount contributed will get your name printed on the Special Thanks page of the book, even for just a $1 pledge.  If you would like to purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post, but you know you want a copy of this visual treasure of the Tour, too.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2405592---199992/Painting.html#.U8yLEcvD_IU

Tour Stage 15: On the Straight & Wide

With a long, basically downhill stage, this one was marked as one for the sprinters.  The wide, straight, open roads should help the peloton judge the capture of the break away to perfection.  It should therefore be another day that will go to script with the only possible deviations coming if the legendary Mistral winds of southern France.  Strong cross winds can have the same effect on the peloton has any category one mountain, splitting the riders apart and causing huge time gaps.  So it was that the peloton let this two man break of Martin Elmiger (IAM Cycling) and Jack Bauer (Garmin Sharp) build up an eight minute lead, the peloton confident that they could be caught at will. This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  This work and all of my paintings from the 101st Tour de France will appear in my soon to be self published collection in "Book de Tour."  To learn more about the book project, to pre order your copy, or to discover how you can become part of bringing the 2014 Tour de France to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  There are some very nice rewards for those who choose to back this project, they all include your name in print on the Special Thanks page of the book, and various levels include an artist signed copy of the book, original art and/or printed postcards.  The book is available for any pledge of support at $25 USD and above.  If you would rather just purchase this particular painting follow the direct link at the end of this post, but wouldn't you want to have all of the paintings in a book, too?

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2405562---199992/Painting.html#.U8x998vD_IU

Tour Stage 11: Thinking About a Stage Victory

Having caught Martin Elmiger (IAM Cycling) all five began to think that they had a solid chance of taking the stage victory.  Jan Bakelants (OPQS) had been in this position in 2013 and got the victory.  Nicolas Roche (Tinkoff Saxo) had done much the same, plus had the additional incentive of getting the victory for the team the day after their team leader, Alberto Contador, was forced to abandon the race. Cyril Gautier (Europcar) was looking for the first stage for his team and for his country, as was Elimger and Jon Izaguirre (Movistar).  All the group had to do was hold of the Cannondale lead peloton off of their wheels and then fight it out amongst themselves.  And then there was the final climb up the Cote d'Echallon and the long descent into Oyonnax.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  This painting will be included in my soon to be self published book, "Book de Tour".  To learn more about the book project, to pre order your copy, or to discover how you can become part of bringing the tome of the Tour to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  To purchase this painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post. 

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2403858---199992/Painting.html#.U8dtV8_D_IU

Tour Stage 11: Going It Alone

With the peloton closing in on the early three man break, Martin Elmiger (IAM Cycling) decided he would go for a solo run to victory.  He left his companions on the second categorized climb of the Cote de Choux, pressing his advantage and picking up maximum points at the summit.  Elimger should be familiar with mountains, after all he is wearing the jersey of the National Road Champion of Switzerland, not exactly a flat country.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  It will be included along with my other paintings of the Tour in my soon to be self published, "Book de Tour".  To learn more about the book project, to pre order your copy, or to discover how to become involved in bringing the art of the 101st Tour de France 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%202014/2403856---199992/Painting.html#.U8dpQ8_D_IU

Tour Stage 7: They Are Coming

Today's long stage brought the peloton and the leading break away that much closer to the high alpine passes that but fear into the hearts of use mere mortal cyclists.  The early break of six riders were not given much of a leash by Peter Sagan's Cannondale boys.  Cannondale looked over the race profile and felt that their climbing sprinter had what it would take to distance Greipel and Kittel on the final climbs and be the one to throw his arms in the air in Nancy.  The six men in the break, including these three Martin Elmiger (IAM Cycling and new Swiss National Champion), Nicolas Edet (Cofidis) and the young American, Matthew Busche (Trek Factory Racing).  The group is being shown the gap between them and the Cannondale led peloton, in the old school method of a piece of chalk and slateboard.  With all of the riders riding with radio earpieces taped to their ears, it seems a little redundant, but this is a sport full of traditions that die hard.  This is an original small watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  This painting and all of my art of the 2014 Tour de France will be included in my soon to be self published book, "Book de Tour".  To learn more about the book project, to pre-order your copy, and to become part of bringing this Tour to print visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  There are some really great incentives at a wide variety of backer levels starting for as little as $5 USD.  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%202014/2400810---199992/Painting.html#.U8A4S8_D_IU