Tour Stage 14: Stuck on the Italian's Wheel

Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) jumped from the shrunken peloton of the GC contenders on the final climb, his attack was so vicious on the steepest section that only one man, Jean-Christophe Peraud (AG2R) was able to hold the Italian's wheel.  Nibali tried repetitively to dropped the Frenchman, to no avail, Peraud was stuck on his wheel.  The pair tried in vain to catch Rafal Majka (Tinkoff Saxo) who still had a minute on them at the one kilometer to go banner.  They were gaining time on the rest of the men in the remnants of the peloton.  While Tejay van Garderen (BMC) he was not able to catch up to the pair, but he too would be leaving the Alps in a much higher position that before the mountains loomed on the horizon.  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 2014 Tour de France watercolors will be included in my soon to be published, "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 the 101st Tour de France to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  There are some really excellent incentives to get you involved starting for as little as $5 USD, all include domestic (USA) shipping and international shipping is available.  Any Backer regardless of the amount - yes, that includes a $1 USD pledge - will have their name included 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 want to have the book as well?

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2405422-113-108-199992/Painting/Sports.html#.U8w1qM_D_IU

Tour Stage 14: Tejay Counters

With the summit of the last climb in the Alps in site, Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) jumped out of the French led peloton, trying to catch the wheel of the already fleeing Vincenzo Niblai (Astana).  After his move, Tejay van Garderen (BMC) counter the attacks of the Spaniard and the Italian.  The American, van Garderen, wasn't going to let the two highest place men on the GC put anymore time into him if he could help it.  As van Garderen came up beside Valverde, the Movistar leader looked over to see who had caught him.  The American kept up the pressure and try as he might, Valverde couldn't hold onto the wheel of van Garderen.  Thibaut Pinot (FDJ) and Romain Bardet (AG2R), now glued together, quickly saw that Valverde was cracking, and went after his second place in the GC with a vengeance.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com and it 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 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.  There are some wonderful backer rewards all of which include the Backers name in print on the Special Thanks Page of the book.  Other incentives include an artist signed book, pins, original art, and a few lucky signed copies, signed by whomever wins this Tour de France.  If you would rather just purchase this particular painting, please follow the direct link at the end of this post, but wouldn't you rather have a copy of "Book de Tour" too?

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2405276---199992/Painting.html#.U8vxSs_D_IU

Tour Stage 14: A French Led Peloton

The French are having their best Tour de France in years.  It has been a long, long time since they have had two riders in the top five, they even have the potential to have two guys on the podium in Paris.  With the hopes of a third stage win for their country, and a continuation of the battle for White and best French rider, the final climb towards Risoul, was led by four Frenchmen from three different teams.  The Italian, Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) was paying close attention, watching for an attack that could threaten his Yellow Jersey.  Thibaut Pinot (FDJ) and his teammate, Arnold Jeannesson had chased back onto Romain Bardet's (AG2R) wheel in the valley and along with Pierre Rolland (Europcar) they all hoped to improve their placings by putting the hurt to the rest of those in the top ten.  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, "Book de Tour."  To learn more about the book project, to pre-order your copy, or to discover how you can get involved in helping to bring the art of the 101st Tour de France to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour   There are some excellent Backer rewards including an artist signed copy, original artwork, pins, postcards and all starting for as little as $5 USD.  Absolutely everyone who backs the project at any level will have their name included in print on the special thanks page of the book.  If you would like to purchase this particular painting, please follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Wouldn't you like to have the book as well?

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2405266---199992/Painting.html#.U8vtwc_D_IU

Tour Stage 14: Losing Contact

While wearing the red racing bib of most combative rider, Alessandro De Marchi (Cannondale) was desperate to hold the wheel of the fast climbing Rafal Majka (Tinkoff Saxo).  The pair had dropped the rest of the tatters of the original break away and were off to claim the stage at the summit in Risoul.  Majka was free to use his ability on the high mountains for Tinkoff Saxo and himself now that his team leader, Alberto Contador, had been forced to abandon the Tour with a broken tibia.  The young Polish rider road De Marchi off of his wheel in hopes of claiming the victory for the team and to claim some glory for the disappointed men of Tinkoff Saxo.  The Polish flag waving fan along the side of the hairpin turn knew it was the move that would stick.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com  and it 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 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.  There are some wonderful backer rewards all of which include the Backers name in print on the Special Thanks Page of the book.  Other incentives include an artist signed book, pins, original art, and a few lucky signed copies, signed by whomever wins this Tour de France.  If you would rather just purchase this particular painting, please follow the direct link at the end of this post, but wouldn't you rather have a copy of "Book de Tour" too?

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2405264---199992/Painting.html#.U8vqAM_D_IU