Tour, Stage 11: You Wouldn't Dare!

With a big day of climbing ahead of the peloton, the small kindness was to make the intermediate sprint before any of the mountains appeared on the horizon.  Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrophe) made sure he was in the early break, so that he could add points in his goal of the Maillot Vert.  Sagan was looking back over his shoulder, daring any of those behind to try and come around.  Behind the Slovakian sprinter, Damiano Caruso (BMC), Warren Barguil (Fortuneo-Samsic), Daniel Navarro (Cofidis( and Romain Sicard (Direct Energie) weren't interested in sprint points, unless they were those for the stage winner.  With the sprint out of the way, Sagan sat up and saved his energy for another day. 

Every day there is a time limit to finish the stage based on a changing percentage of the winners time.  With the short distance and big climbs facing the sprinters, it is a real possiblity that some of the big names in the flat sprint stages might get eliminated.  Spoiler alert, the beleaquered Mark Cavendish (Dimension Data) didn't make the cut, and is now on his way home.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France-2018/3189375-55-251072/PaintingYou-Wouldn't-Dare!.html

Tour de France Stage 8: Crowds at the Summit

The early break, two of whom went at the very first kilometer, was comprised of four men as they neared the summit of the first of two climbs in Stage 8.  None of the group, Pierre-Luc Perichon (Bretagne Seche), Bartosz Huzarski (Bora Argon 18), Sylvain Chavanel (IAM Cycling) and Romain Sicard (Europcar) had a chance of stealing the Maillot a Pois from Daniel Teklehaimanet (MTN-Qhubeka), so the Ertirean could rest easy that his dream jersey would stay on his shoulders through the rest day on Monday.  It was impressive to see how many Bretons had come out to watch the Tour race through Bretagne, it almost felt like the top of Alp d'Huez.

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, in fact all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this painting for only $60 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Don't delay, since this is a one of a kind original, once it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2579270---210122/Painting.html#.VaF96flViko

Paris Nice Stage 5: Not Good News

For the break, comprised of Egor Silin (Tinkoff Saxo), Pawel Poljanski (Katusha), Romain Sicard (Europcar), Andrew Talansky (Cannondale Garmin) and Thomas De Gendt (Lotto Soudal), the time keeper's chalkboard did not reveal good news at all.  With 14 kilometers left to race to Rasteau, the board shows only a 50 second advantage on the fast charging peloton.  The racers only have one more small climb to go so the teams of the sprinters are most anxious to put these guys safely back in the fold.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  If you interested in purchasing this original artwork, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Enjoying reading about a bike race with these accompanying paintings?  Then check out my recently published Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France.  The book is available through most online booksellers around the world, so google the title to find where you can get it without paying international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2525044---195767/Painting.html#.VQMqZPzF-xU

Paris Nice Stage 5: Making Their Own Luck

Andrew Talansky (Cannondale Garmin) had some bad luck yesterday, so today (despite it being Friday the 13th) he decided to create his own luck.  He joined Romain Sicard (Europcar), Pawel Poljanski (Katusha), Thomas De Gendt (Lotto Soudal) and Egor Silin (Tinkoff Saxo) in a long run at making the break away work.  De Gendt was riding to secure his hold on the Polka Dots of the King of the Mountains.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  If you interested in purchasing this original artwork, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Enjoying reading about a bike race with these accompanying paintings?  Then check out my recently published Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France.  The book is available through most online booksellers around the world, so google the title to find where you can get it without paying international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2525034---195767/Painting.html#.VQMnzvzF-xU

Ruta del Sol Stage 4: Stuck in the Middle

As I have said the nine man break split apart, leaving riders all over the road.  At this point Greschke and Selvaggi were extending their lead on these three and the peloton.  Four others had already surrendered and been picked up by the Tinkoff-Saxo led peloton.  That left Hugh Carthy (Caja Rural-Serguros), Eugene Duyn (Team Roompot) and Romain Sicard (Europcar) stuck in the middle, in the oft called "no man's land."  The trio was hoping that it would be the two ahead that they would see first rather than hearing the whirring sound of the spinning wheels of the peloton.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that 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.


If you like reading about cycling along with original art, be sure to check out my "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France" available online world wide through Amazon and other online book retailers.


http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Other%202015%20Cycling%20Art/2515226---206768/Painting.html#.VOp9b005DIU

Giro d'Italia Stage 11: No, No, You First

As predicted by Johnny Hoogerland (Androni Giacattoli) a large break got away with fourteen riders all over an hour down on the general classification, another perfect situation for BMC as they didn't need to be on the front for the second day in a row.  While to numerous to list here, both FDJ and Europcar got two of there men into the break as did Bardiani CSF and Neri Sottoli.  To understand was is going on here, you need to understand that riders are expected to take turns pulling on the front of the break, however, not everyone follows the rules.  Francis Mourey (FDJ) wants to stay on the back of the break so he taps and gently pushes Romain Sicard (Europcar) into the slot ahead of him.  Why this is important is that drafting allows the rider behind to save up to 30% of the energy that the riders in the wind are expending.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard (4"x6") 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.  For this particular painting follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%27Italia%202014/2367683-60-54-198213/Painting/Sports.html#.U314SM_D_IU