Tour de France, Stage 15: A Rare Gift

The standing adage is that there are no gifts in professional cycling.  But today the riders in the break away provided the exception that proves the rule.  Peter Sagan (Tinkoff Saxo) looked to yesterday and today to use the intermediate sprints to solidify his hold on the Maillot Vert.  Perhaps it was his hard stare down of his fellow escapees yesterday that left this group (some of the same riders) intimidated to even look like they wanted to contest the sprint.  Sagan, now with the support of his teammate, Mick Rodgers was led to the sprint line to take the maximum points in the race for the Green Jersey.  The pair kept checking behind them just to make sure that no one was going to try and nip them at the line.  Instead it appears that the rest of the break away gave Sagan a gift of crossing the intermediate sprint line in first place.

Of course the other possible understanding of this title, is that Peter Sagan possess a very rare gift indeed when it comes to being a professional cyclist.  He is a fast man who can claim stage wins, but he rides equally well in time trials, and has the power to weight ratio to go well on the big climbs.  It should come as no surprise that he is closing in on winning his fourth consecutive Maillot Vert in the Tour de France.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quller brushes from the family run art supply company, Jack Richeson & Company, www.richesonart.com.  In addition, this painting and all of my Tour de France 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 however, since this is an original one of a kind work of art, when it has been sold, there won't be another one to be had.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2582180---210122/Painting.html#.Vav4Q_lViko

Tour de France Stage 2: Leaving Some Big Names Behind

Several teams where very attentive and took full advantage when the peloton went into strong crosswinds on the open Dutch roads near the North Sea.  Tinkoff Saxo saw the weather as a great opportunity to gain time for Alberto Contador and to get rid of some of Peter Sagan's sprint competition.  Etixx-Quickstep saw the same opportunity for their sprinter, Mark Cavendish, and if the cards fell right, they could move Tony Martin into the Maillot Jaune.  Chris Froome (Team Sky) and Tejay van Garderen (BMC) were there for the ride and were willing to help the other teams push out their advantage over the chasing groups.  It just goes to show that it isn't only the mountains that can cause big time gaps to appear on the general classification.  And to think, today was only the second day of the Tour!

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 for purchase 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.  But do hurry, since it is an original there is only one of these to be had.  International shipping is available, too.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2576852---210122/Painting.html#.VZooIPlViko

Giro Final Stage: Taking a Bow

While they were still in the neutral start section of the final stage of the 98th Giro d'Italia, Tinkoff Saxo clasped arms with the Maglia Rosa of Alberto Contador and took a bow for all of the press photographers astride their motorcycles.  As far as I could tell, the team eschewed the traditional sharing of the Prosecco, but not the re-taping of the handlebars with bright pink .  Contador went a step further with Specialized sending him a new bright pink bike.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from the small family run art supply company, Jack Richeson and Company.  There website is www.richesonart.com.  Plus, this painting is available through my artist website for only $50 USD, plus shipping (international is available) at www.greigleach.com.  To get this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post, but don't delay.  This is an original work of art, so when it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2561840---184157/Painting.html#.VWu1X89Viko

Giro Stage 7: Proving He's Okay

Alberto Contador (Tinkoff Saxo) was one of those who went down in the crash 500 meters from the line in Stage 6.  He apparently dislocated his shoulder.  He was unable to put on the Maglia Rosa nor open the Procesca on the podium yesterday evening.  So I was a little surprised to see him take the start, I'm sure there were many members of the peloton who felt the same.  Tinkoff Saxo made a point of showing that Contador was ready to ride, even pushing the pace on the penultimate climb of the day.  While the Spaniard winced as he did his signature dance up the climb, he seemed very capable of pushing the pace and putting the sprinters into difficulty.  He was certainly relying on the strength of Roman Kreuziger, Michael Rogers and Ivan Basso to show how strong he and his team were.

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 and all of my cycling art 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.  And yes, international shipping is available.  Do act quickly to get your own piece of the 98th Giro d'Italia.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2554770---184157/Painting.html#.VVbt5CFViko

US Pro Challenge Stage 7: Zipping Along

In a repeat of is break away efforts of stage 4, Jens Voigt (Trek Factory Racing), was off the front in hopes of ending his professional racing career with a final race victory.  Today he had the company of four others.  He did attack that group, too, with only Javier Mejias (Team Novo Nordisk) able to catch the wheel of the fast disappearing German.  The pair managed to hold off the charging peloton until the start of the final or bell lap of the downtown Denver, Colorado circuit.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this 4"x6" watercolor painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Remember, this is a first come first served sale of artwork, so don't delay!

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/US%20Pro%20Challenge%202014/2424534---201508/Painting.html#.U_rBYM_D_IU

US Pro Challenge Stage 6: Leaving It All on the Road

The individual time trial is about maximum exertion over a relatively short amount of time.  Today's uphill course was only 16 kilometers that took Mick Rodgers (Tinkoff Saxo) just over 26 minutes to complete, the best time by 20 some seconds when he crossed the line.  Unlike a road stage, a rider has to wait until everyone has completed the course before he knows if his effort was enough to claim victory for the stage.  To ensure that the riders don't collapse as they cross the line, volunteers and team soigneurs will rush out and push the riders further up the road where they can safely dismount when they are able.  Rodgers knew that the man who held the record on this course, Tejay van Garderen (BMC) would be coming across the line in about a half hour, and the man who had once beat that rider, Tom Danielson (Garmin Sharp) was also still on the road.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this 4"x6" painting for only $50 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  But while you are there, why not take the time to browse all of the art on offer?

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/US%20Pro%20Challenge%202014/2423882---201508/Painting.html#.U_lSU8_D_IU

US Pro Challenge Stage 3: Pushing on Alone

On the final climb of the day, up the Monarch Mountain, Mick Rodgers (Tinkoff Saxo) went off hoping to repeat his mountain top stage win in the Pyrenees in this year's Tour de France.  He had bested Tejay van Garderen (BMC) on that stage, and figured he would have no problem achieving that feat again.  With Rodgers up the road, Tinkoff Saxo had another card to play back in the select peloton with the winner of the King of the Mountains of the Tour, and the winner of the Tour of Poland, Rafal Majka.  As the Australian toiled up the long 6% climb he had only the neutral service moto and the race escorts for company on the wide open roads of Colorado.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this painting for only $50 USD (+ shipping) just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/US%20Pro%20Challenge%202014/2423124---201508/Painting.html#.U_ap3M_D_IU

Tour Stage 17: Out of Spain into Polka Dots

The Tour de France dipped briefly into its fourth country on the way through the Pyrenees, slipping into Spain.  As the former champion of Spain, Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha), sprinted towards the summit of the Col de Portillon he became the Virtual King of the Mountains, going back ahead of Rafal Majka (Tinkoff Saxo) who took the Polka Dots off his back the day before.  Mick Rodgers fought to stick with Rodriquez, hoping to minimize the points that the Katusha rider grapped at the summit, defending his teammate's lead.  For Rodriquez, there is nothing like playing to the home fans.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com and will be included in my soon to be self published collection of my art of the 101st Tour de France, "Book de Tour."  To learn more about the book project, to pre order your copy or to learn how you can become part of bringing this most unusual Tour to print please visit, https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  There are some excellent Backer rewards for those who choose to back this project starting at just $5 USD and everyone who supports "Book de Tour" will have their name included on the Special Thanks page of the book.  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 the book too.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2407222---199992/Painting.html#.U9AoUM_D_IU

Tour Stage 16: Taking a Bow

Mick Rodgers (Tinkoff Saxo) came to the line in Bagneres-de-Luchon with enough of a lead to truly savor the moment.  It was the first Tour de France stage win for the Australian and he wasn't going to waste the chance to perform for the crowd, taking the time to bow to their applause.  Tinkoff Saxo has now claimed two of the mountain stage victories since their team leader, Alberto Contador, was forced to abandon the Tour with a broken leg.  The stage wins of his two lieutenants, Rafal Majka and Mick Rodgers, leaves everyone wondering what might have been.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  This painting and all of my 101st Tour de France artwork will be included in my soon to be self published, "Book de Tour."  To learn more about my book project, to pre order your copy, or to learn more about helping to bring the art of cycling to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  There are some great rewards for Backers including an artist signed copy of the book, original art, and some other treasures.  Reward levels start at just $5 USD and everyone who pledges at any amount will have their name included on the Special Thanks page of the book.  If you would like to purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  But don't you want a copy of the book, too?

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2406752---199992/Painting.html#.U875Xs_D_IU

Tour Stage 16: You Want to Keep That Up?

As this foursome climbed up the HC Category Port de Bales, both Europcar riders, Thomas Voeckler and Cyril Gautier, as well as Jose Serpa (Lampre-Merida) kept attacking each other.  The older and perhaps calmer Mick Rodgers (Tinkoff Saxo) would ride back onto the wheel of whomever put in the most recent attack.  Finally, most likely annoyed with the efforts of the others, he went on his own attack.  Looking over his shoulder at the others he seemed to ask, "Are you sure you want to keep doing that?"  Rodgers had taken two stages in the most recent Giro d'Italia under similar circumstances, so he was confident in his ability to leave the others behind.  Voeckler had claimed victory the last two times the Tour finished at the base of the climb, so he wasn't lacking confidence either.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website, www.greigleach.com.  This painting and all of my art of the 101st Tour de France will be included in my soon to be self published book, "Book de Tour."  To learn more about the book, to pre order your copy, or to discover how you can be a part of bring the 2014 edition of the Tour de France to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  There are some wonderful Backer Rewards starting as low as $5 USD, and at only $25 USD the reward includes an artist signed copy of the book.  Everyone who pledges their support will see their name in print on the Special Thanks page in "Book de Tour."  If you would like to purchase this painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  But don't you want a copy of the book as well?

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2406686---199992/Painting.html#.U87s0s_D_IU

Tour Stage 16: Trying to Cover the Attack

Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) was riding like a man possessed, repeatedly attacking his break away companions.  Hng not succeed in getting away on the Col des Ares, he picked up where he left off on the giant Port de Bales.  With the group now reduced to just Jose Serpa (Lampre-Merida), Mick Rodgers (Tinkoff Saxo), the Spanish National Champion, Jon Izaguirre (Movistar) and his teammate, Cyril Gautier.  Not only was it tough for the rest to cover his attacks, the TV Moto was having a bit of a time capturing all of the moves and the whereabouts of those who had been dropped by the accelerations.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com and will be included in my soon to be self published art book 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 involved in bringing this most unpredictable Tour to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  There are some fabulous incentives to encourage you to back the project starting a just $5 USD, and every backer, regardless of the amount pledge, will have their name in print on the Special Thanks page of the book.  If you would like to purchase this painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post, but wouldn't you like to have a copy of "Book de Tour" as well?

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2406672---199992/Painting.html#.U87o5c_D_IU

Tour Stage 11: Four Guys, Four Kilometers

With just four kilometers left to the finish line in Oyonnax these four guys had gotten the gap on the peloton mainly following the incredibly fast descent off of the Cote d'Echallon by Peter Sagan (Cannondale).  All four had something to prove, Sagan is still searching for a stage win, and it has been his team sacrificing themselves for the man in the Green Jersey.  Michael Kwiatkowski (OPQS) wants to recapture the White Jersey of best young rider back from Romain Barder (AG2R) while Mick Rodgers (Tinkoff Saxo) is looking to salvage the Tour for his team with the loss of Contador.  Finally, tucked onto the back checking to see the whereabouts of  the rest of the peloton is Tony Gallopin (Lotto-Belisol).  He hopes to claim a victory for France and to recapture some of his short lived glory while wearing the Maillot Jaune.  The group does not have enough of a gap on Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) to hope to take the leader's Yellow Jersey from his shoulders.  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%202014/2403862---199992/Painting.html#.U8d0qM_D_IU

Tour Stage 10: Saying Fairwell

After cresting the Col du Platzerwasel with his team, Alberto Contador (Tinkoff Saxo) dropped back to have another conversation with his Team Manager, Bjarne Riis, after a few hand gestures he slid back into the pace line, seemingly about to start a death defying descent through the rain and thick mist in search of the peloton.  Instead the next thing we saw was Contador reaching over to pat Mick Rogers, thanking him for all of the hard work, receive a squeeze of the shoulders in salute followed by the two time winner of the Tour de France, pulling off to the side of the road.  He surrendered his bike to the mechanic and climbed into the back seat of one of the team cars.  After some shuffling of seating arrangements, the two Tinkoff Saxo cars got back to their job at hand, supporting the rest of the neon yellow clad men still in the Tour.  After the race, it was learned that Contador had fractured his tibia.  Let that sink in a minute, he had just climbed a mountain in the cold rain with a broken leg!  These are truly hard men that race on these skinny tires in their skin tight outfits.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  This painting will be added to all of the watercolors of the Tour and will become 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 get involved in bringing the watercolors of a rather wet Tour de France to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour   There are some exciting backer rewards starting as low as $5 USD, with most including an artist signed copy of the beautifully printed book. 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%202014/2402514---199992/Painting.html#.U8SWiM_D_IU

Tour Stage 10: Pulling Their Man Back

Alberto Contador, the team leader for Tinkoff Saxo, had a bad crash on the Col du Platzerwasel.  While the wreck occurred off camera, they can't be everywhere, he apparently hit a rock in the road and went down hard, catching his right leg, destroying his shoe, bike and bloodying his knee.  The first time he as seen by the TV Motos was when the race doctor was bandaging his knee and the team was getting him back onto a replacement bike.  At first he set out alone, but soon he caught up to the team that had waited up the road for him.  No one can turn around and head back down the road, so to be able to help pace Contador, the team either soft pedals or stops to wait for him to come up to them.  He appeared to ride wheel as he set out now joined by Matteo Tosatto, Rafal Majika and Mick Rodgers.  On the other hand, as they crested the top, he had lost another minute on the group of the Maillot Jaune, leaving him four minutes off of the pace.  Not too big of a problem for the Spanish climber to make up, but it pointed to the possibility that he was more hurt than he either knew or was letting on.  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 the rest of my paintings of the 101st Tour de France in my soon to be self published, "Book de Tour".  To learn more about the book, to pre order your copy, or to discover how to get involved in bringing the Tour as art to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour  There are some great rewards for those who chose to back the project that start at only $5 USD, with an artist signed copy at only $25 USD, and international shipping is available.  If you would like to just purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2402508---199992/Painting.html#.U8SRxs_D_IU

Tour Stage 8: Driving the Pace

Tinkoff-Saxo put the whole team on the front of the peloton and drove the pace hard, trying to shuck the group of as many riders as possible.  The team believed that the stage was suited for their man, Alberto Contador, and they hoped to put Astana and Vincenzo Nibali on a back foot.  Other riders with hopes of a high finish in Paris simply got into the slip streamed including the Rainbow Jersey of the World Road Racing Champion on the back of Rui Costa (Lampre-Merida), Andrew Talansky (Garmin Sharp) and Richie Porte (Team Sky).  For the peloton, the stage win was of less importance than getting a gap on their rivals so the speed they were putting in may catch the remnants of the early break, but that was not the sole objective.  This is a small original watercolor painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  This painting will be amongst the artwork of the 101st Tour de France that will be included in my soon to be self published book, "Book de Tour".  To learn more about the project, to pre-order your copy, and 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 great incentives for various levels of backer support starting at just $5 USD, with $25 USD getting you an artist/author signed copy of the book.  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%202014/2401742---199992/Painting.html#.U8I82svD_IU

Giro d'Italia Stage 20: On Top of the World

The view and what Mick Rodgers (Tinkoff Saxo) must be feeling are the same, he is on top of the world.  To win a stage in a Grand Tour is something that an extremely limited number of people can ever claim to have done, to win two in the same race is exponentially rarer.  After today, it is something Rodgers can savor for years and years to come.  And then he can add to it that it was on one of the hardest climbs in any Grand Tour and against the arguably best climber of the contemporary peloton.  Chapeau, Mick!  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  For this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post. 

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d'Italia%202014/2373568---198213/Painting.html#.U4pRTMvD_IU

Giro d'Italia Stage 20: Protected from the Fans

Once Mick Rodgers (Tinkoff Saxo) was within the final kilometers, the entire route was lined with security personnel who had linked arms to prevent exactly what had happen just two kilometers earlier.  Rodgers was climbing wheel for wheel with Francesco Manuel Bongiorno (Bardiani CSF).  Just as Rodgers stood up to escape the Italy and over zealous fan, hoping to help Bongiorno, pushed the Bardiani rider so hard that he had to stop and put his foot down so as not to run into the Australian.  This disrupted Francesco's rhythm and broke his spirit as well.  He was unable to catch back up to Rodgers, who never waited.  It seems unlikely that the incident with the fan changed the outcome of the stage, but it is a lesson to all of us should we get the chance to see these races in person.  Let them race and cheer them on from a safe distance!  Maybe watch the alcohol intake as well.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  For this particular painting you can follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d'Italia%202014/2373566---198213/Painting.html#.U4pNvMvD_IU

Giro d'Italia Stage 20: Coming Back

Tinkoff Saxo managed to get two men into the big break of the day which put them in a very competitive advantage, particularly when Mick Rodgers over shifted his chain into the rear spokes requiring a new bike.  Without Nicholas Roche to help pace him back to the others, he would never have had a hope of seeing the break away again.  Once Roche had pulled him back, his Director Sportif passed him a bottle and led them get on with the job at hand.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard (4"x6") that is available for purchase for only $50 USD at my artist website, www.greigleach.com.  For this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the 97th Giro d'Italia.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d'Italia%202014/2373526---198213/Painting.html#.U4o398vD_IU

Giro d'Italia Stage 11: All Alone at the Line

The Australian, Mick Rodgers (Tinkoff Saxo) was able to do what no one has pulled off yet in this Giro, the solo victory.  Surprisingly, he got away on the final descent of the day and held of the reduced peloton to take the first stage victory for his team and continue the Aussie show of strength.  It was an Australian team that one Stage 1, then it was an Australian on an Australian team that held the Maglia Rosa for 7 more stages, only to surrender the Jersey to yet another Australian.  And now it was another Australian who took the victory into Savona.  Perhaps this should be renames the Giro d'Australia.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard measuring 4"x6" and is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  For this particular painting, please follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d'Italia%202014/2367707---198213/Painting.html#.U32LxsvD_IU

Giro d'Italia Stage 11: On a Fast Ride Home

Tinkoff Saxo had managed to get two riders into the early break.  First, it was Ivan Rovny (Tinkoff Saxo) who sacrificed himself on the front of the break for Nicholas Roche (Tinkoff Saxo).  After Nicholas Roche attacked on the climbed but faded before the summit of Naso di Gatto, it was Mick Rogers (Tinkoff Saxo) who attacked as the peloton started its descent into Savona.  On a descent it is easier for a single rider to gain time than the peloton, as the individual can pick is own lines through the turns having a clear view of each corner without worrying about the wheels in front.  So, Mick went off down the mountain hoping to continue the Australian dominance in this year's Giro d'Italia.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard (4"x6") that is available for purchase at my artist website, www.greigleach.com.  For this particular painting of the streaking Aussie, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  While you are there, why not take the time to browse all of the cycling art on offer,

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d'Italia%202014/2367705---198213/Painting.html#.U32IMMvD_IU