With the three up the road not likely to affect the final Maillot Jaune in Paris, Chris Froome (Sky) decided to see if he could catch the other GC men napping. For those that were still in the main peloton, it wasn't going to happen. Behind the Brit, Nairo Quintana (Movistar) and Dan Martin (UAE Team Emirates) covered the move, assisted by Sylvain Chavanel (Direct Energie). Once Froome saw that he wasn't shaking anyone, he backed off the pace. Seemingly guaranteeing that the three up the road would be vying for stage honors.
I was less than thrilled with the banners of Century 21 realtors, but sometimes you just have to go with what is actually there.
Back out on the road again today. In fact it will be road stages until the final week of the Tour now. The early break was comprised of seven guys, but it was Sylvain Chavanel (Direct Energie) who left the group to suck up some King of the Mountains points. By going over the top of the first climb of the day, and this one, the Cote de Trimen, he pulled equal on points in the competition for the Maillot a Pois. With two more climbs to come, he is hoping that he will be wearing a new jersey tomorrow. It is Chavanel's 18th Tour de France. And that is a new record for participations in the grand bucle, as far as I know, he has finished them all. Well this one is still being contested.
This painting is the one that I videoed as I created it. You can see it on my You Tube channel, or here. I talk about creating the painting, how to use watercolors and how it all fits into the story of the 105th Tour de France thus far.
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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.
Sylvain Chavanel (Direct Energie) racing a record 18th Tour de France was feeling the love from the French crowds along the road today. Chavanel was the lone survivor of an early three man break away. The one dropped of after the first and only climb of the day, with the other suffering with knee pain after hitting it on the handle bars sprinting for the KOM points. With another 80 kilometers left to the end of the stage, it is unlikely he will stay away for the stage, but he has pulled it off before. Chavanel was awarded with the Most Combative rider prize for his continuing efforts. Tomorrow he will be sporting a red bib number as a marker of today's effort. Some consulation for not winning the day.
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.
Lilian Calmejane (Direct Energie) had ridden hard in the 7th stage of the race and was rewarded with the Polka Dots of the King of the Mountain for his labors. Not willing to wear the jersey for just one day (as Axel Domont (Ag2r La Mondiale) had prior to surrendering it to Calmejane), he got himself over the tops of the first four climbs on the day, thus ensuring that he will finished the day as the over all winner of the King of the Mountains once he crosses the line in Nice. Calmejane had the advantage of being shepherded by the very experienced and successful Sylvain Chavanel. Riding in this group at the start of the final climb, Col d'Eze were Julien El Fares (Delko Marseille Provence KTM) and surprisingly the sprinter, Sonny Colbrelli (Bahrain Merida).
None of the 14 other guys in the break contested the intermediate sprint in Aigues Vive. They thought it best to leave it to Peter Sagan (Tinkoff). I expected the teammate of the current Maillot Vert, Edvald Boasson Hagen (Dimension Data) to try and limited Sagan getting the maximum points, but it seems like it was time for Sagan to take back the jersey. Which he did. Holding on to the tail of the group as they ride through the fields of France, were Daryl Impey (Orica-BikeExchange) and the former French National Champion, Sylvain Chavanel (Direct Energie). The moto riding next to the riders carries the guy who is using a sensor to hunt for anyone using mechanical doping. If a rider has an engine hidden inside of the bike frame it will give off a heat signature. It seems crazy that anyone, including a bike manufacturer, would attempt to cheat in such a way, but then everyone is looking for a competitive edge.
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.
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.
For many small towns along the route, the Giro's arrival is most likely the biggest event to ever happen for miles around. It seems like every inhabitant of Poggio turned out to see the arrival of the five man breakaway. I'm sure they stayed to cheer every single member of the peloton, remaining until the broom wagon had passed them by. Today seemed to be the perfect day to be in the break with the peloton letting these men gain almost eleven minutes. The best placed member of the group is over nineteen minutes behind the Maglia Rosa of Simon Clarke (Orica GreenEdge). As they rolled through the cheering crowd, Jan Polanc (Lampre Merida), Silvan Dillier (BMC), Sylvain Chavanel (IAM Cycling), Axel Domont (AG2R) and Seghei Tvetcov (Androni Giocattoli) could entertain thoughts of taking a stage in the 98th edition of the Giro d'Italia.
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, www.richesonart.com. They are a lovely family run business that has incredible art supplies for professionals and hobbyist alike. In addition, this painting (and all of my cycling art) is available for purchase 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.
Once the peloton realized that it would never catch the seven men up the road, they basically sat up and coasted their way to Wevelgem (you realize that is quite an exaggeration). Sylvain Chavenel (IAM Cycling) didn't care for the pace the group was riding an went off on his own in search of the groups up the road. When a rider is in this position, between groups on the road, it is referred to being in no-man's land. That phrase has particularly strong connotations in the fields of Belgium, where so many died in the trench warfare of the Great War (WWI). Even the poles that will soon hold grape vines remind one of the lines of barbed wire fencing that would separate the warring sides.
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 for only $50 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post. And yes, international shipping is available.
Sylvain Chavanel is the three time Time Trial Champion of France, but has yet to win in the Worlds. While we have grown use to seeing him in his tricolore national kit, at the worlds no one wears a championship jersey while racing. Instead they will where their national colors, but in a team uniform that every racer will don on race day. 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. While you are at the website, you can pre-order my book of paintings of the 2014 Tour de France, "Book de Tour". International shipping is available for both the paintings and the book.
Even before the tricolore smoke trail had vanished from overhead, the French National Time Trial Champion, Sylvain Chavanel (IAM Cycling) attacked the peloton and got a good gap before reaching the L'Arc de Triomphe to swing back down the other side of the famous boulevard. He may have broken the tradition of giving a full lap of honor to the Yellow Jersey but I am quite sure that the French will forgive him the cheek. Someone had to be the first to attack, Chavanel decided it might as well be him. Even with his time trialing abilities, it was unlikely that he could hold off the teams of the sprinters who wanted to claim the Parisian stage. This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com. This painting will be one of the complete collection of my paintings of the 101st Tour de France that will be included in my soon to be self published "Book de Tour." To learn more about the book, to pre order your copy, or to discover how you can be a part of bringing the art of the Tour de France to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour. There are some excellent incentives to encourage you to pledge your support on Kickstarter (a crowd funding site) including an artist signed copy for only $25 USD, international shipping is available. To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post. But don't you want all of the paintings collected together into a book? Of course your do!
Like Tony Martin's (OPQS) domination on the World Stage, Sylvain Chavanel (IAM Cycling) has dominated the French Time Trial Championships for three years running. So it is with pride that he rolls out of the start house and into the first corner of the 54 kilometer race against the clock. The Frenchman pushed as hard as he could into the first sharp right turn of the course that remained technical through out the city of Bergerac. Once out of town Chavanel and the rest of the field could get into their aerodynamic tuck and settle into their rhythm for the hour plus all out effort to Perigreux. 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!
As the Tour started its eight stage, the French fans have not had much to show for their native competitors with the exception of Cyril Lemoine (Cofidis) a Frenchman on a French team who started the day in the King of the Mountains Jersey. So it was with great enthusiasm that this most patriotic of fans greeted his countryman, Sylvain Chavanel (IAM Cycling) as he was the first to head up the Col de la Croix des Moinats. However he nearly knocked Chavanel off of his bike with his zesty flag waving. Professional Road Racing is one of the few international sports where fans can get this close to their heroes, sometimes a little too close. This is an original small 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 collection of annotated cycling art, "Book de Tour". To learn more about the book project, to pre order your copy and to discover how you can be a 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 particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.
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.
The former French National Champion, Sylvain Chavanel (IAM Cycling) was one of five men in the early break away, while all were strong riders, the peloton was less interested in chasing them down. Chavanel was the best placed on GC in the break and he was over 19 minutes down on the Maillot Jaune. Riders regularly drop back to their team car to get a bottle and to have a face to face, tete a tete. Sometimes it is just better than talking on the radio. 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 (www.richesonart.com). In addition, this painting 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.
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.
With a Cat 2 mountain near the finish and a final circuit that contain a very steep climb up to the finishing line it had all the makings of an epic day of racing. Today's stage broke the pattern by forming a twelve man break (when the pattern necessitated a six man break). First Sylvan Chavanel, resplendent in his Polka Dots (due to is efforts in stage 5) and then Tommy Voeckler (Europcar), Alessandro De Marchi (Cannondale) and Pim Ligthart (Lotto-Belisol) dropped the rest and headed off for the big climb of the day on their own. This is an original watercolor and ink postcard created using Yarka St. Petersburg cake watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com. This painting and all of my cycling art is available for purchase through my artist my website, www.greigleach.com. For this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.
Sylvain Chavanel went with the first break of the day, but when they felt the closing peloton and sat up, he doubled down pressing on in his quest for a stage win. As a former French National Champion racing on French soil, he hoped to claim a victory after his disappointing ill timed puncture in Stage 4. This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available for purchase at my artist website, www.greigleach.com or you could just follow the direct link at the end of this post.
Team Bretagne place another rider in another break away. And following suit with the break away formula of Paris-Nice this year, stage 5 featured a 5 man break. So the break was represented by Sylvain Chavanel (IAM Cycling) who was so disappointed to have an very poorly timed puncture at the base of yesterday's final climb. He went out today to redeem himself and to prove a point with his legs. In addition the break was comprised of Jan Bakelants (OPQS), Matthew Busche (Trek Factory Racing), Izaguirre Insausti (Moviestar), and Brice Feillu (Bretagne). This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com, a family owned art supply company in Wisconsin, USA. This painting can be yours by visiting my artist website, www.greigleach.com. Or you could just follow the direct link at the end of this post.
Showing no fear of the fabled 21 switchbacks, this group of five road off from the others in search of the top of a stage victory or maybe just a head start up the mountain ahead of the peloton. The group includes, Christophe Riblon, TeJay Van Garderen, Lars Boom, Moreno Moser and Sylvain Chavanel, most of these guys have been in the lion share of the breaks in the 100th Tour de France. Even though the organizers had closed the roads for three days prior to the peloton's arrival, their were tens of thousands of pro-cycling fans lining every kilometer of the ever climbing road, and they knew they were going to see every rider pedal by them twice. This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours by visiting my artist website. While you are there why not browse around at all of the artwork on offer. Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of art of the 100th Tour de France.
The peloton seemed to be afraid of Alpe d'Huez or at least climbing it twice, so were not worried about a break where the highest placed rider, Sylvain Chavanel was over 25 minutes behind the Yellow Jersey. Many of the break away artists had counted on the peloton's sentiment and were ready to go out on the attack. The group quickly got up to six minutes on the way up the Col d'Ornon ahead of the big beast of the day. This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours by visiting my artist website to buy this painting. Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the 100th Tour de France.
