Tour, Stage 4: Full Out Gallop

As anticipated, it was a mass sprint for the line in Nancy. By a very narrow margin, it was Elia Viviani (Deceuninck-Quick Step) getting the best of all of this Tour's fast men.  That makes two stages for his team, and two for Jumbo-Visma.  Sagan managed fourth on the stage, but was out of picture frame.  I am excited to say that Alexander Kristoff (UAE Team Emirates) proved he isn't done sprinting with the new generation of sprinters taking second on the stage.  Others in this painting include; Michael Matthews (Sunweb) -9th, Giacomo Nizzolo (Dimension Data) - 7th, and Maximiliano Richeze (Deceuninck-Quick Step) - 19th (he was riding for the stage winner.  I'm looking forward to the next couple of sprint stages.  It will be equally interesting to see who is left to contest the last sprint on the Champs Elysees.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202019/3357934-20-263530/Full%20Out%20Gallop%20%20TDF19-20.html

Tour, Stage 4: Hoping Against Hope

It was Lilian Calmejane (Direct Energie) who jumped free of the peloton with just five kilometers lef to the line in Nancy.  It was a long shot at the very least to hope to surprise every sprinter and their lead out trains, but he had even less chance of winning the stage without going on th offensive.  He didn't hold them off.  Nor did he earn the Most Combative title, that went to Michael Schar (CCC), but he did excite the French fans while he was off the front.

Watch this painting come to life in a quick time lapse video here...

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202019/3357927-19-263530/Hoping%20Against%20Hope%20%20TDF19-19.html

Tour Stage 7: Too Close to Call

The final throw for the line between Matteo Trentin (OPQS) and the Green Jersey clad Peter Sagan (Cannondale) was way to close to call.  The announcers first said it went to Trentin, backed up by race radio, then changed their minds, and said it was Sagan who took the stage, again backed up by race radio.  Trentin was convinced that he didn't get the win and reached out an patted Sagan's back in congratulations.  The TV showed the photo finish and I couldn't tell who had it either.  The final decision was to give the stage to Trentin leaving Sagan still looking for his first stage of the 101st Tour de France.  He can console himself with the fact that he increased his lead in the points competition.  He is already looking like he can wear the Jersey all of the way to Paris.  Remember he is also leading in the White Jersey, too.  He just can't wear two at once.  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 work of the 2014 Tour de France, will appear in a soon to be self published, "Book de Tour".  To learn more about the book project, to pre order your copy and to discover how to become involved in bringing the 101st 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%202014/2401020---199992/Painting.html

Tour Stage 7: Marking Each Other

As the big boys of the GC crested the final climb of Cote de Boufflers with just five kilometers to go, they all snaked across the road, each watching the other to see who was going to jump first.  With Peter Sagan (Cannondale) on the front of the group, no one wanted to carry him to the line.  On his wheel was Movistar's Alejandro Valverde, followed by Alberto Contador (Tinkoff Saxo), tucked in behind him, Greg van Avermaet (BMC) and then the defensive Maillot Jaune, Vincenzo Nibali (Tinkoff Saxo).  Sagan was the only real threat to Nibali's lead but he had no interest in conceding time to anyone in this group.  Garmin Sharp's Andrew Talansky is along for the ride, just not in this painting.  Sadly, despite his best efforts, Tejay van Garderen (BMC) has yet to tag onto the back of the stretched out peloton.  He is facing losing the time that he gained on the cobbles two days ago.  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 tome of the Tour, "Book de Tour".  To learn more about the book project, to pre order your copy, and to possibly get involved in bring the art of the 101st Tour de France to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  If you would like to purchase this painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  While you are there, why not browse around all of the art on offer?

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2400998---199992/Painting.html#.U8CCQc_D_IU