Tour Down Under: Making His Move

With the short steep ascent of Corkscrew hill to form the launch pad, it was Richie Porte in his new BMC kit who was the first to jump out of the diminished peloton.  Quick to jump on to the Tasmanian's wheel were Simon Gerrans (Orica-GreenEdge), Domenico Pozzovivo (AG2R La Mondiale) and Serio Henao (Team Sky).  The parched hillside was dotted with cycling fans although most had gone to the top to see who would claim the hill and most likely the stage.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting created using watercolors from www.richesonart.com and 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.  In addition, be sure to check out my new book, "Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships" available now at www.artofcycling.bike.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20Down%20Under/2678312-78-194179/Painting.html#.VqHGJPkrLIU

Tour Stage Twelve: Over Cooked

Orica GreenEdge had put most of the team on the front of the peloton as it stormed into the city of Tours to give their sprinter, Matt Goss a shot at a stage win.  Unfortunately for Svein Tufts the speed, the sharpness of the round-about and the surface of the road conspired against him.  The title comes from the saying, "Over cooking the corner" to describe trying to go too fast through a corner, or coming into a corner to quickly.  His wheels just slid out from under him and down he went.  He was okay but I am sure he left a lot of skin on the streets of Tours.  Fortunately no one else went down.  Well, there was a big pile up about another 2 kilometers up the road that stopped Greipel from getting into the sprint finale.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available for purchase at my artist web site.  While you are there why not browse around.  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%202013/2182397---186227/Painting.html#.Ue2lBc_D_IU

Tour Stage Four: When a Single Second Matters

Orica GreenEdge continued its aggressive and productive Tour today bringing six of their nine member team to the line a single second faster than any other team.  The effort came on the heals of Stage 3's stage win by Simon Gerrains after the long break away by Simon Clarke, and the effort put Gerrains into the Malliot Jaune making him the third in four days.  It was made all the more special because they were expected to come in behind Team Sky, BMC and Garmin Sharp.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that could be yours through a short 3 day auction on ebay.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post, but hurry, the auction starts as soon as this post is published.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=251299008952

Tour Stage Three: Throwing At the LIne

The peloton had managed to sweep up every attempt to get away, from Rolland to Chavanel's second late attack in a row, so it was up to the sprinters to make it happen for the stage.  It was up to Bakelants to make sure no gaps opened between him and the first across the line.  This one was so close that neither Peter Sagan nor Simon Gerrains knew who had crossed the line first.  It was a photo finish that showed Gerrains had thrown his bike across the line just ahead of Peter and it was Rojas for Moviestar bringing up third.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available through a short 3 day auction on ebay.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to bid on your piece of the 100th Tour de France.  Hurry, the auction begins as soon as this post is published.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=251298509703