Tour Final Stage: Go, Tony, Go!

It is never a good time to have a mechanical, but when the peloton is winding it up for the sprint, it really sucks.  The World Time Trial Champion, Tony Martin (OPQS) got a quick bike change and a hard push from his mechanic, but it would take all of his expertise to catch back on to the peloton.  Unlike Peraud, no one dropped back to help Martin, but then he wasn't in danger of losing a podium position.  Instead he was here to work for Omega Pharma Quickstep's back up sprinter, Mark Renshawk, so he was needed but he isn't a "protected rider."  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  The painting along with all of my artwork of the 101st Tour de France will be included in my soon to be self published tome, "Book de Tour."  To learn more about the book project, to pre order your copy, or to discover how you can be a part of bringing this Tour to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  There are some fabulous rewards for those who choose to back the book, including artist signed copies, original art, printed postcards and even a few copies signed by Vincenzo Nibali himself.  Everyone who contributes will have their name in print on the Special Thanks page of the book.  To purchase this painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post, but wouldn't you like to have all of the paintings in a book as well?  Sure you would!

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2409030---199992/Painting.html#.U9WncMvD_IU

Tour Stage 20: Picking Them Off One by One

The Time Trial stage has riders starting on their own at first two minute intervals and then three minute intervals as the top riders come to the start line.  The order of start times is in reverse of the rider's placing on the General Classification, so the Lanterne Rouge starts off the day and the Maillot Jaune is the last rider on the road.  Tony Martin (OPQS) in his Rainbow Jersey of the World Time Trial Champion, was burning up the 54 kilometer course passing rider after rider who had set out before him.  At this point he is catching Mickael Cherel (AG2R) who had left downtown Bergerac 8 minutes ahead of the Time Trial Specialist.  Riders are not allowed to draft off of each other, so as Martin approached Cherel, he swung wide of the Frenchman and then stayed on that side of the road until he was well past the Frenchman.  Not that Cherel could have caught the wheel of the flying German.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website and will be included in my complete collection of paintings of the 101st Tour de France that are soon to be self published in my, "Book de Tour."  To learn more about the book project, to pre order your copy, or to discover how to become part of bringing this fabulous race to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  There are some exciting and excellent rewards for those of you who choose to pledge your support on Kickstarter, with rewards starting for as little as $5 USD.  Everyone who supports the project will have their name printed on the Special Thanks page of the book, regardless of the pledge amount.  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 "Book de Tour" as well?  Sure you do!

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2408548---199992/Painting.html#.U9QTH8vD_IU

Tour Stage 20: Ready to Roll

Having waited twenty days to show why he is the World Time Trial Champion, Tony Martin (OPQS) was ready to roll down the start ramp in Bergerac.  Called the 'Race of Truth' because it is the efforts of the guy on the bike alone, without drafting, teammates or any place to hide from the wind, that determines how well they do in the stage.  Martin was not very high up on the General Classification, but with this being his discipline, he would only be happy with a stage win.  He has won the last two individual time trials in the Tour de France, and is wearing the Rainbow Time Trialist Jersey for the third year in a row.  This Tour he has also won an open road stage, a first for him, using his time trialing abilities to hold off the chasing peloton.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes by Jack Richeson & Company, www.richesonart.com.  The painting is available through my artist website and will be included in my complete collection of paintings of the 101st Tour de France that are soon to be self published in my, "Book de Tour."  To learn more about the book project, to pre order your copy, or to discover how to become part of bringing this fabulous race to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  There are some exciting and excellent rewards for those of you who choose to pledge your support on Kickstarter, with rewards starting for as little as $5 USD.  Everyone who supports the project will have their name printed on the Special Thanks page of the book, regardless of the pledge amount.  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 "Book de Tour" as well?  Sure you do!

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2408544-151-144-199992/Painting/Sports.html#.U9QM_MvD_IU

Tour Stage 16: Dancing Up the Mountain

The longest stage of the Tour de France, 237.5 kilometers, feature five categorized climbs, the final a Haute Categorie monster.  Astana and the peloton was happy to let a large break away get up the road, they had no worries about the Maillot Jaune, as not one of the 21 riders in the break represented a threat to Vincenzo Nibali, or any of the top ten on GC tucked into the peloton.  The break was bound to fall apart once they got to the fourth climb of the day.  It was on the way up the Col des Ares that the attacking started, with the ever aggressive Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) being the first to try and dance away when the road pointed up.  Voeckler has won twice before in the finishing town of Bagneres-de-Luchon and was riding in hopes of making it a third in a row, a feat not accomplished since 1961.  Europcar was well position to make the move having put three men clad in dark green into the break.  So it was Voeckler along with Cyril Gautier (Europcar) on the front of the group joined by Jose Serpa (Lampre-Merida) and Jan Bakelants (OPQS) as they toiled up the climb.  The break had built up an eleven minute lead on the disinterested peloton, so it was safe to assume they were racing for the stage victory.  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%202014/2406660---199992/Painting.html#.U87l9s_D_IU

Tour Stage 15: One for the Sprinters

Even with the TV announcers and myself rooting for the two men of the break away, it turned out to be the day for the sprinters that all had expected it to be.  Alexandrer Kristoff (Katusha) had the legs to best the rest and claim his second stage win and the third for the team.  He beat out Henrich Haussler (IAM Cycling) and the perpetual bridesmaid, Peter Sagan (Cannondale).  The others that stormed by Jack Bauer (Garmin Sharp) also included, Mark Renshaw (OPQS) and Bryan Coquard (Europcar).  Bauer was so close to winning the stage ahead of the sprinters that he still managed tenth on the stage.  The poor guy collapse after crossing the line, dejected and exhausted for a long, long break that almost was.  Noticeably absent from the finale was the fast man for Giant Shimano, Marcel Kittel.  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%202014/2405594---199992/Painting.html#.U8yPgsvD_IU

Tour Stage 15: Flurries of Attacks

The peloton had managed to stay together until the reached the edges of Nimes with the rather unusual exception that the two man break was still off of the front and seemingly not very willing to be caught.  As they swung around the traffic furniture, opportunistic riders kept trying their luck at getting away.  Niki Terpstra (OPQS) drove hard to catch up with Daniele Bennati (Tinkoff Saxo) as Peter Sagan (Cannondale) drove on the peloton in hopes of riding them all off of his wheel.  Sagan is still searching for his first stage win in this Tour although he has proven his ownership of the most consistent sprinter's Green Jersey having finished in the top five in all but the mountain top finish thus far.  Bennati had the misfortune of puncturing and had to pull off from his chance of a win.  With Bennati unable to continue Terpstra's chance were rather reduced.  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%202014/2405590---199992/Painting.html#.U8yHy8vD_IU

Tour Stage 13: The Mountains Await

The peloton as been up a few big hills, mountains by the Island of Great Britain standards. but nothing like what is looming on the horizon.  Stage 13 started relatively easily with a category 3 climb and then a long hundred kilometer flat run at the Alps.  The break and later the peloton would end the day with a Category 1 scaling of the Col de Palaquit follow by a Haute Category trip up to the finish line at Chamrousse.  A nice size group of nine decided they wanted a head start up the first climb.  Alessandro De Marchi started it off at 5 kilometers into the stage and was joined on the first climb by Rudy Molard (Cofidis), Jan Bakelants (OPQS), Giovanni Visconti (Movistar), Bartosz Huzarski (NetApp-Endura), and Daniel Oss (BMC).  Unfortunately for the break, Blel Kadri (AG2R) got himself in with the rest, unfortunate, because he was only ten minutes down on the Maillot Jaune.  Combine that with Katusha missing the move and it was unlikely the group would be allow to stay off of the front.  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 and will be included in my soon to be self published book of the 101st Tour de France art, "Book de Tour."  To learn more about the book project, to pre-order a copy, or to discover how you can be a part of bringing the art of the sport we love to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  There are some excellent incentives for backers at every level starting at $5 USD.  Everyone who backs the project will have their name included in the special thanks page.  If you would like to purchase this painting directly, just follow the link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2404784-95-90-199992/Painting/Sports.html#.U8miZs_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 11: Most Combative

Tony Martin (OPQS) has had an incredible two days of racing, winning stage 9 on a very long solo break away and claiming the King of the Mountains Jersey.  He then followed that up riding on the front for tens of kilometers up and down climb after climb setting up his teammate, Michal Kwiatkowski, for a chance at the Maillot Jaune.  The two days of racing has earned him the title of the "Most Combative Rider" for both stages.  Other than the honor of the title, he is given a red racing bib number showing everyone in the peloton that this is a rider willing to take a risk and ride hard.  He, is joined in the second group on the road by Luis Angel Mate (Cofidis) and a rider from Team Europcar.  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%202014/2403860---199992/Painting.html#.U8dwvc_D_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 10: Leading Them Up the Col

Yesterday, Tony Martin (Trek Factory Racing) went out in the early break, about half way through the stage he got rid of his break away companion and soloed the remaining 60 kilometers to claim victory and the Polka Dot Jersey.  All of that was very impressive, what is astounding, is that he joined the break again today, and then went to the front of the group and pulled them and his teammate, Michal Kwiatkowski along the road and away from the group with the Yellow Jersey.  Rein Taaramae (Cofidis), Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) and Roaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) new they had been handed a great wheel to follow.  Voeckler and Rodriguez had started the day with getting the Polka Dot Jersey off of the shoulders of Martin foremost in both of their minds.  Martin was doing the work for the team hoping to move Kwiatkowski from second to the leader on the GC.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  This painting, along with all of my other paintings of the 101st Tour de France, will appear in my soon to be self published, "Book de Tour".  To learn more about the book project, to pre order your copy, or to get involved in bringing my art of the Tour 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%202014/2402500---199992/Painting.html#.U8SNHM_D_IU

Tour Stage 9: Blowing Kisses

Tony Martin (OPQS) had more than enough time to savor his victory, coming to the line alone, almost three minutes ahead of a large group containing most of the break away that he had left behind on the Grand Ballon.  The solo victory brought a second stage victory to the Omega Pharma Quickstep team, that has had to rethink its entire Tour having lost their fast man, Mark Cavendish on the opening day of racing in Harrogate. Martin was the man for such a long solo run being the World Time Trial Champion for the third straight year.  It is astounding to realize that he not only stayed away from everyone else on the course, he gained time on every charging group behind him. He may well have been hiding tears and then covering by blowing kisses to the crowd.  One of those amongst the other 17 given the same time was Tony Gallopin who had started the day just under two and a half minutes behind Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) and his teammate Jakob Fuglsang.  When Nibali crossed the line six minutes after the Frenchman Gallopin, the Lotto-Belisol rider confirmed that all of his effort had won him the Maillot Jaune to wear on the biggest of French Holidays.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  It will also be included in my soon to be self published book, "Book de Tour" a collection of the 101st Tour de France through the eyes of this artist.  To learn more about the book project, to pre order your copy and to discover how to get involved in bringing this Tour 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%202014/2402098---199992/Painting.html#.U8NI9M_D_IU

Tour Stage 9: Switching Back

Tony Martin (OPQS) and Alessandro De Marchi (Cannondale) looked at this stage and thought they might have a chance to pull off a successful break away.  The pair went on the attack on the way up the very first climb of the day on the Col de la Schlucht and then pressed their advantage on the technical descent.  De Marchi seemed to have targeted the Polka Dot Jersey on the day with Martin hoping to bring a second stage win to the Cavendish deprived Omega Pharma Quickstep.  With five more categorized climbs in the stage and a total of 170 kilometers it would be a tall order, even for the current World Champion Time Trialist.  De Marchi may have been wondering what he got himself into trying to hold the German's wheel.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson and Company, a Wisconsin based art supply company, www.richesonart.com   The painting is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com  It will also be one of the images included in my art book of the 2014 Tour de France, "Book de Tour".  To learn more about the book project, to pre-order your copy or to get involved in bringing the 101st Tour to print please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  There are a wide variety of incentives most including an author/artist signed copy of the book starting at $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%202014/2402054-60-54-199992/Painting/Sports.html#.U8MklcvD_IU

Tour Stage 8: Pulling Away

These five men formed the perfect break away, low enough on the General Classification to not be a threat to the Yellow Jersey and strong enough to build the biggest gap thus far in the 101st Tour de France.  The group consisting of Simon Yates (Orica GreenEdge), Adrien Petit (Cofidis), Niki Terpstra (OPQS), Blel Kadri (AG2R) and Sylvain Chavanel (IAM Cycling) built up a lead of eleven minutes before the Astana lead peloton decided to start pulling them back in.  Stage 8 feature some of the first serious climbs of this edition of the Tour with three categorized climbs coming bunched together within the last 20 kilometers of the stage.  The final climb was a little easier than the preceding two, but the summit was the finishing line of the stage.  The final climbs left the peloton thinking that the break would naturally be back in the fold once the real climbers came out to play.  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 cycling art tome, "Book de Tour".  To learn more about the book project, to pre order your copy, and to discover how you can become part of 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 painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2401734---199992/Painting.html#.U8Iqps_D_IU

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 6: One for Greipel

Andre Greipel and his Lotto-Belisol team flipped the script on Marcel Kittel and Giant Shimano today.  Lotto-Belisol has had their boys in red on the front of every flat stage that has been raced thus far in the Tour.  Today they held back and Giant Shimano took up the tempo riding mantle.  To complete the script flip, it was Greipel who flung his arms wide in victory at the line in Reims.  Kittel was no where to be seen.  It wasn't until later that we all learned that Kittel had a very badly timed puncture and wasn't there to contest for his fourth stage in the 101st Tour de France.  Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) added another second place finish, changing out who it was that beat him to the line.  Sagan managed a fifth place, enough to safely hold onto the Malliot Vert for yet another day of racing.  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 de Tour", a complete collection of my paintings and writings on the 101st Tour de France.  To learn more about the book project, to pre order your copy, and to become involved in bringing the art of bike racing to print please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  You will find all sorts of wonderful backer rewards to help motivate you to get involved.  If you would like to purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  While you are there, why not take the time to browse around at all of the artwork on offer?

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2400106---199992/Painting.html#.U78v_M_D_IU

Tour Stage 6: Swinging into Town

After nearly a hundred and ninety kilometers covered, the peloton swung into the wide Victor Hugo Boulevard of the city of Reims, still riding at very high speeds.  The main weapon to for a sprinter's team to control attacks from the peloton is to wind up the speed making it nearly impossible for anyone to hope to get off the front.  Omega Pharma Quickstep took over the pointy end of the race at around four kilometers to go, but as they hit the streets of downtown all control seemed to be lost.  Peter Sagan's Cannondale boys got on the front hoping to deliver their man first to the line.  Surprisingly, Giant Shimano had disappeared from the front of the group.  There was quite a bit of heads swiveling around trying to find the whereabouts of the dominate sprinter of the 101st Tour de France.  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 tome of the Tour, "Book de Tour".  To learn more about the book project, to pre-order your copy, or to learn how to get involved in bringing this collection of the art of bicycle racing in this 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%202014/2400104---199992/Painting.html#.U78r9c_D_IU

Tour Stage 5: Wet, Cold and Bumpy

The peloton may have avoided the traditional rainy days of England, but it caught up with them on the roads of Belgium.  Stage 5 offered up the same roads as the fabled Spring Classic, Paris Roubaix, the only bright side of the rain was that it force ASO (the race organizers) to remove to sections of pave.  The sections were underwater, not exactly ideal racing conditions.  Marcus Burghardt (BMC), Tony Martin, (OPQS), Rein Taaramae (Cofidis), Simon Clarke and Matthew Hayman (both Orica-GreenEdge) were some of the nine guys who got away from the opening kilometers of the stage.  With the uneven cobbles of northern France and Belgium facing the racers, I think they were eager to be done as soon as possible.  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 will be included in my soon to be self published pictorial story of the Tour, "Book de Tour"  To learn more about the book project, to pre-order your copy or to learn how you can be involved in bring this race to print please visit my kickstarter campaign at 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%202014/2399198-31-30-199992/Painting/Sports.html#.U72YJsvD_IU

Tour Stage 4: All About the Sprinters

When Tony Martin ()PQS) sat up and waited for the rest of his team, he proved that stage 4 of the Tour de France was going to be all about the sprinters.  The three main lead out trains were Omega Pharma Quickstep, Lotto-Belisol and Giant Shimano.  You can just make out the bright green of the Points' Jersey on the back of the peloton on the shoulders of Peter Sagan (Cannondale).  In the middle of the painting is Andre Greipel (Lotto-Belisol) surveying the scene in his German National Road Champion's jersey, trying to figure out how is team and he can out smart the stronger Marcel Kittel (Giant Shimano), the younger Bryan Coquard (Europcar), or the foxier Peter Sagan.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  It will also 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 become involved in bringing my 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%202014/2398348---199992/Painting.html#.U7xlq8_D_IU

Tour Stage 4: Getting the Jump

I wasn't paying close attention to the race when I saw Tony Martin (OPQS) out in front of the peloton with about six kilometers to go I was confused.  It looked to me like he had decided to pull the same move that Fabian Cancellara had pulled on the very first stage of the Tour.  Martin is the current World Time Trial Champion for the third year in a row, and does have the strength to ride the entire peloton off of his wheel.  What confused me was that the rest of his team was on the front, perhaps running interference on his behalf?  Once I had restarted the video, it became apparent that when it was Martin's turn on the front of the Omega Pharma Quickstep lead out train, he just went way too hard.  He simply gapped the rest of the team.  He then sat up and waited for everyone to catch back up, before continuing to lead out Mark Renshaw (OPQS) the team's sprinter since Mark Cavendish crashed out in the opening stage of the Tour. This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  It will be included in my soon to be self published tome, "Book de Tour".  To learn more about the book project, to pre-order your copy, or to get involved in bringing the 2014 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%202014/2398344---199992/Painting.html#.U7xit8_D_IU