TDF, Stage 10: Part of the Landscape

For many years I had a rather silly rule about not using the helicopter shots to create my paintings of the Tour (or any other cycling event).  Last year I threw out the rule and created one of my most popular images.  Today, I felt this was both a great way to catch the lavender fields of Provence, and to show how, for some, just how small the Tour is against the backdrop of France.  You can just make out the peloton emerging from a small town and heading back out into the open fields.  Today, us fans hoped for crosswinds through these fields, and the peloton dreaded them.  Ultimately, while some blew, they did effect the race in any significant way.

This is for those of you who watch the Tour for the scenery and don't really care about the racing.  I'm not sure how that is possible, but each to their own.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above.  Since ti is an original work of art, it is a first come first seved reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburth watercolors from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/2021-Tour-de-France/3822341-61-291436/Painting/part-of-the-landscape-tdf21-60.html

Tour, Stage 11: Echelon

The title of this piece describes this feature of the peloton.  The riders will form a diagonal line when they are hit by a cross wind.  To gain the most advantageous slipstream from the rider in front of you, you must tuck in as close as possible to his rear wheel.  When the wind comes from the rider's left, you shift about 45% to his right to gain the same advantage.  A rider can use as little as 70% of the energy that the rider on the is expending.  However, there is eventually no room left on the right of the road, so little gaps in the peloton can open.  This is the second, rather large peloton that is suffering from one of those gaps, that is struggling hard to get back onto the group containing the Maillot Jaune.  Two French teams, Fortuneo Vital Concept and FDJ are taking the responsibility for bring back those up the road.  At this point, the Maillot a Pois of Thibaut Pinot (FDJ) is losing time on the general classification, however, that part of the competition is out of reach for Pinot.  At least there was only two points total in the King of the Mountain competition in this stage, so he really has no big worries.  Tomorrow, however, the beast of Provence, Mont Ventoux, lurks at the end of the stage.

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, just follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2823088-75-224974/PaintingEchelon%20TdF75-Greig-Leach.html#.V4acXLgrLIU

Tour, Stage 11: In the Open

Today's stage was going to be about to things, a flat run to Montpellier and the strong cross winds of Provence.  Perhaps wanting to show the tricolore jersey of the French National Champion or maybe just to see if the peloton wasn't paying attention, Arthur Vichot (FDJ) went out on the attack, catching onto the wheel of the Australian on the Swiss team, Leigh Howard (IAM Cycling).  The duo went out into the exposed roads and flat fields of the south of France on what should be a sprinter's stage.  The only chance they might have to carry their lead all of the way to Montpellier is that the peloton were disrupted by crashes (God forbid) or that the winds play such havoc that those behind forgot about those out front.  Neither scenario was very likely.

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%202016/2823040-72-224974/PaintingIn%20the%20Open%20TdF72-Greig-Leach.html#.V4aT2LgrLIU

Tour Stage Six: The Job at Hand

With the second longest stage of the Tour, the domestiques had a long day of their noses in the window, pulling for their GC guys.  The head of the peloton is almost through the only KOM points of the day the only point for the Category 4 col went to Siutsou of Team Sky.  He was followed my Team Moviestar and BMC, but there were no points for anyone else.  This stage was almost "pancake flat" to quote Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available at my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the 100th Tour de France.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2178291---186227/Painting.html#.UeH5acvD_IU