Doha 2016, Men's Elite ITT: In Under 46

Maciej Bodnar (Poland) had a brilliant second half of the course.  The Tinkoff rider was able to be the first rider to break 46 minutes over the 40+ kilometer course.  His split times had not provided the insight that he would be able to take over the lead and finally move Ryan Mullen (Ireland) off of the hot seat.  Unfortunately for Bodnar, there were some very fast men just behind him.  The Pole finished his day in the most frustrating of places, fourth.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be 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.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Doha%202016%20UCI%20Road%20World%20Championships/2864511-39-227958/PaintingIn%20Under%2046%20Doha39-Greig-Leach.html#.V_529eArLIU

Tour, Final Stage: All Smiles for Now

The final stage of the Tour de France is a tale of two races.  The first part of the race is time to celebrate making it all of the way around France, a chance to chat with friends, congratulate the jersey winners and goof about just a bit.  The second is the flat out racing to when on the Champs Elysees, To get that victory for the team, that may not have happened yet, or for a sprinter to get the win that has yet to go his way.  Here, Michael Matthews (Orica-BikeExchange) shakes hands with Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) on the Champs Elysees they will be going as hard as they can to beat one another to the line.

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%202016/2828385-154-224974/PaintingAll%20Smiles%20for%20Now%20TdF155-Greig-Leach.html#.V5UtIbgrLIU

Tour, Stage 20: Pulling Them Up the Mountain

The reason I picked this image to paint was primarily for the aesthetics.  I was intrigued by all of the variations of green.  That and it was also a great illustration of what it is to pay your team back for their hard work.  It was a rare sight to see the Maillot Vert on the front of a break away that was climbing a second categorized climb of the day.  Sagan was pulling the breakaway further away from the peloton behind.  The plan was to help his teammate, Romain Kreuziger, climb up the general classification.  I must apologize for getting the colors of the Czech flag out of order.  It should be White, Red, Blue.  Inbetween the Tinkoff riders is Pierre Rolland (Cannondale-Drapac) who had the rather spectacular crash yesterday.  As a testimony to his toughness, he finished the stage yesterday, and came out to the start today.  In case their was any doubt, he confirmed it by getting into the break today.  Following this trio are Thomas De Gendt (Lotto Soudal) and Sergio Henao (Team Sky).

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%202016/2828153-147-224974/PaintingPulling%20Them%20Up%20the%20Mountain%20TdF148-Greig-Leach.html#.V5QOtrgrLIU

Tour, Stage 17: Two Jerseys, One Team

Tinkoff has been having a fabulous Tour de France, unless of course you want to count the withdrawal of their start, Alberto Contador.  Other than that they are currently holding both the Maillot Vert and the Maillot a Pois.  Today Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) went of on a long break away with 10 other riders including his teammate Rafal Majka.  Sagan went out for 150 kilometers just to be the first to cross the intermediate sprint point first in Hautville Lompnes.  He really needn't have bothered, is closest rival for the green jersey was Mark Cavendish (Dimension Data) who left the race today to finish his preparations for the Summer Olympics in Rio.  On the World Champion's wheel is the King of the Mountains, Rafal Majka.  Now he had a bigger to be in this break away, defending his lead in the competition for the Polka Dot Jersey of the King of the Mountain competition.  With Sagan's help, the break has already put over ten minutes between themselves and the peloton containing the Maillot Jaune.

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%202016/2826248-118-224974/PaintingTwo%20Jerseys,%20One%20Team%20TdF119-Greig-Leach.html#.V4_pq7iAOko

Tour, Stage 16: Another Photo Finish

It is stunning to thing that after racing 209 kilometers, the winner of the race is a matter of two or three centimeters, maybe less.  While everyone hoped that the day would go to Fabian Cancellara (Trek-Segafredo) who lives in Bern and is racing his final Tour de France, no gifts are giving in professional cycling.  Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) who was still looking for his first stage when in this Tour de France was just beaten by Peter Sagan's (Tinkoff) bike throw to the line.  This is Sagan's third stage victory matching his Tour debute in 2012.  Cancellara managed a sixth place, but you can only see his shoulder in this painting (again I am limited by what the broadcasts provide).  John Degenkolb (Etixx-Quickstep) grabbed fourth proving his return to form after the horrific training accident this spring.  Micheal Matthews (Orica-BikeExchange) held on for fifth although I am sure he would have preferred to repeat his earlier stage victory.  Edvald Boasson Hagen (Dimension Data) had hoped to take the stage for his South African team on this, Nelson Mandela Day.  Unfortunately ninth on the stage was the best he could manage.  The cobbled climb at just two kilometers left to go proved too much for many sprinters (and others).  Sagan, however, won his Rainbow Jersey on a pair of cobbled climbs in Richmond, Virginia, both steeper than today's finale.

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, follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2825140-117-224974/PaintingAnother%20Photo%20Finish%20TdF118-Greig-Leach.html#.V40n-rgrLIU

Tour, Stage 15: With Open Arms

With his arms flung wide, Jarlinson Pantano (IAM Cycling) celebrated his victory on the streets of Culoz.  Having been out sprinted for the line, Rafal Majka (Tinkoff) dropped his head in disappointment for not taking the stage along with claiming the Maillot a Pois.  The Polish Champion had been on the front for almost the entire stage, going with first one and then another rider, claiming mountain top summits all day long.  The duo only managed to keep the chase of Alexis Vuillermoz (Ag2r La Mondiale) and Sebastien Reichenbach (FDJ) at bay by six seconds.  Reichenbach moved up on the GC with the Maillot Jaune crossing the line just over three minutes later.  The Swiss rider moved up to 14th place overall.  Pantano may not have been the Colombian that all of Colombia wanted to see when a stage, but at least the country can now claim a stage win in the 103rd Tour de France.  The loser on the day was the American, Tejay van Garderen (BMC) who has now dropped to eighth overall.  I should note that Julian Alaphilippe came in fifth on the day 22 seconds off the Pantano's time.  Not a bad recovery from his mishap on the descent off of the Grand Colombier.

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, follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2824783-111-224974/PaintingWith%20Open%20Arms%20TdF112-Greig-Leach.html#.V4wtkbgrLIU

Tour, Stage 15: Where Are the Chasers?

Rafal Majka (Tinkoff) peered back over his shoulder, just as he had at the start of the first climb, looking to see who was coming up behind.  Majka must have known that the duo of Alexis Vuillermoz (Ag2r La Mondiale) and Sebastien Reichenbach (FDJ) were chasing hard behind.  He would surely feel more comfortable going to the line in Culoz with just Jarlinson Pantano (IAM Cycling) rather than making it a foursome.  At least if these two stayed away from the chasers were guaranteed a place on the podium.  Majka already would be on the podium to receive both the Maillot a Pois and the red bib number of the most aggressive rider of the stage.  Now if he could just add stage winner to the day's tally.

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, follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2824759-110-224974/PaintingWhere%20Are%20the%20Chasers?-Greig-Leach.html#.V4wotrgrLIU

Tour, Stage 15: Surging Forward

The other way I enjoy titling my work, is to play about with puns.  It was too tempting to go with "Surging Forward" since the rider to the right of the painting is Serge Pauwels (Dimension Data).  Pauwels is surging forward in this foursome trying to reach the summit of the Col de la Rochette ahead of the others.  Pauwels is getting the jump on Sebastien Reichenbach (FDJ), who is followed by Rafal Majka (Tinkoff) and the French fan favorite, Thomas Voeckler (Direct Energie).  Majka had taken two out of the first three climbs for maximum points and the new leader in the King of the Mountains competition.  The only climb he didn't win thus far went to Voeckler.  A bit of a dick move, since he has very few points in the competition and at that point, Majka needed the maximim.  That kind of a move is one of the reasons he may be a fan favorite, but that opinion is not shared in the peloton.  Missing the successful break of the day was the man in the Maillot a Pois, Thomas De Gendt, so he will be missing his polka dot jersey tomorrow.

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, follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2824702-104-224974/PaintingSurging%20Forward%20TdF105-Greig-Leach.html#.V4wTxrgrLIU

Tour, Stage 15: A Watchful Eye

I can't help myself, I love a title that opens up the interpretation of what is going on in the image, instead of spelling it out for you, the viewer.  There are two individuals who are being watchful in this painting.  First, the gendarme, one of an extra 1,500 police who have been added to the already excellent security of the Tour.  Since the attack in Nice, the fear as been that those responsible would target the Tour.  I am sure that it isn't the first time that the thought has crossed the minds of race officials or the security forces of France.  And then their is Rafal Majka (Tinkoff) who is watching behind to make sure that no one is bridging across to him nor his attacking companion, Ilnur Zakarin (Katusha).  The duo was trying to get the break away to stick as they labored up the Col du Berthland, the first of six categorized climbs of the day.

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%202016/2824696-103-224974/PaintingA%20Watchful%20Eye%20TdF104-Greig-Leach.html#.V4wP2rgrLIU

Tour, Stage 11: Two Victors

The stage into Montpellier saw two victors on the day.  First the stage went to the UCI Road World Champion and wearer of the Maillot Vert, Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) and the other was the man finishing in second, but gaining seconds on his rivals, Chris Froome (Team Sky).  While Sagan spreads his arms in a victory salute that I have seen once before, his teammate, Maciej Bodnar, shook his fist in celebration of the win.  Ah yes, this is the same salute Sagan gave has he crossed the line in Richmond, Virginia when he claimed his Rainbow Jersey.

Chris Froome came in five seconds ahead of the closing peloton.  Add to that a four second bonus for finishing second on the day, he added nine seconds to his overall lead.  The question remains, did he expend too much energy for what turned out to be a very marginal gain?  Tomorrow the peloton finishes atop Mont Ventoux, did he tire himself before that obstacle?  One thing can be said, he certainly isn't racing by the numbers or like a robot.  It is nice to have a race be unpredictable, it certainly is a lot more exciting that way.

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%202016/2823187-77-224974/PaintingTwo%20Victors%20TdF77-Greig-Leach.html#.V4aiYrgrLIU

Tour, Stage 11: Using the Wind

With the final change of direction and just ten kilometers left to race, Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) and his teammate Maciej Bodnar hit he front and went hard.  Being ever attentive, Chris Froome (Sky) saw this as a great wheel to catch, and a great opportunity to increase his lead on his rivals.  Only one of Froome's teammates was able to get across to the fleeing threesome, Geraint Thomas.  The four, representing just two teams had the perfect combination to press their advantage all of the way to the line.  Froome knew he could count on his teammate to work for him, just as Sagan could count on his.  Plus, Froome knew he had no chance of beating the leader of the sprint points competition in an all out sprint for the line, nor did he really need to.  For Sagan, this was about sprint points in the Maillot Vert competition, for Froome it was about extending his lead in the Maillot Jaune.  Bodnar was a very strong ally for all involve, he was just crowned the Time Trial Champion of Poland.  So it was on those behind to try and chase down this flying foursome.

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%202016/2823142-76-224974/PaintingUsing%20the%20Wind%20TdF76-Greig-Leach.html#.V4afQbgrLIU

Tour, Stage 10: It Took Team Work

Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) looks over with an expression of disbelief as Michael Matthews (Orica-BikeExchange) throws his arms wide in celebration.  He shouldn't be surprised, the Australian team brought three men into the seven man break, it is they who should shake their heads if they didn't take the stage.  I have seen it happen before, a that was in Paris Roubaix when three Etixx-Quickstep riders missed out on the victory when racing against one rider from Team Sky.  So it can go wrong, just not today.  Sagan's second place on the stage may well have sewn up his fifth consecutive victory in the race for the Maillot Vert, but then we are only have way through the Tour and you have to finish to win.  The stage was rounded out by Edvald Boasson Hagen (Dimension Data) and Greg Van Avermaet (BMC).  Just tailing off the back of the group was Samuel Dumoulin (Ag2r La Mondiale).  While the Frenchman was up amongst it, he leaves the French still looking for their first stage win in their home Tour.  Today's stage victory means the Bling Matthews has now one a stage in all three of the Grand Tours.  Chapeau!

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, follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2822884-71-224974/PaintingIt%20Took%20Team%20Work%20TdF71-Greig-Leach.html#.V4WMprgrLIU

Tour, Stage 10: Who Is Going to Launch?

Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) came into the final 500 meters just behind Daryl Impey (Orica-BikeExchange).  It was Impey's teammate, Michael Matthews along with Edvald Boasson Hagen (Dimension Data) and Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) who concerned the World Champion.  Sagan's victory in Richmond, Virginia, that gave him his Rainbow jersey was launched by chasing Van Avermaet.  Coming in second on East Broad Street in downtown Richmond was Michael Matthews. So both riders were concerning to the sprinter from Slovakia.

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, follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2822869-70-224974/PaintingWho%20Is%20Going%20to%20Launch?%20TdF70-Greig-Leach.html#.V4WFHLgrLIU

Tour, Stage 10: Covering the Rainbow

After a couple of attacks on the final climb of the day up the Cote de Saint Ferreol, all covered by Peter Sagan (Tinkoff), they all decided to cover his moves instead.  Sagan had already garnered enough points to take back the Green Jersey in the points competition, but no one suspected that he didn't want another stage win as well.  Orica-BikeExchange was playing a numbers game.  Luke Durbridge had driven the pace up to the final climb and then left it to Daryl Impey to launch repetitive attacks to weaken the legs of Sagan.  His teammate, Michael Matthews just kept everything in front of him waiting to launch the sprint with the freshest legs in the break.  Having launched an unsuccessful attack himself, Edvald Boasson Hagen (Dimension Data) kept an eye on the Orica duo and Sagan.

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, follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2822866-69-224974/PaintingCovering%20the%20Rainbow%20TdF69-Greig-Leach.html#.V4WBf7grLIU

Tour, Stage 10: Collaboration

With the rest day behind them, the boys of the peloton came back out to play on a final climb of the Pyrenees.  The tenth stage of the Tour opened with a climb up to the highest point of this year's edition of the Grand Boucle, the Port d'Envalira.  With the summit coming with just 24 kilometers covered, I didn't get to see any TV footage of the climb.  By the time coverage went live, the racers were back in France and the racing was full on.  After repeated attempts to get off the front an escape group of 15 riders managed to get off the front.  The last two to bridge across were the World Champion, Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) and the Frenchman, Samuel Dumoulin (Ag2r La Mondiale).  The pair worked well together, even so far as Dumoulin passing a bidon across to Sagan as though he was a teammate.  I guess for the moment, he was.

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%202016/2822845-66-224974/PaintingCollaboration%20TdF66-Greig-Leach.html#.V4V2yLgrLIU

Tour, Stage 9: Going Up in Andorra

Although Tom Dumoulin (Giant-Alpecin) was still up the road Rafal Majka (Tinkoff) still bridged across to the former World Champion Rui Costa (Lampre-Merida).  The Polish National Champion and wearer of the Maillot a Pois that marks him as the King of the Mountains.was attacking in hopes of being the first to the summit to hang onto his polka dots.  Majka also hoped to bring a little joy into the team bus now that the leader of Tinkoff, Alberto Contador, had abandoned the Tour.  Neither of these riders hail from Norway, but that didn't keep the Norwegian cycling fans from showing their joy in seeing the legends of cycling ride by.  I don't think they were hoping to see a countryman at the front of the race, both Edvald Boasson Hagen (Dimension Data) and Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) are known more for their sprinting prowess than for flying up a mountain.  That being said, I seem to recall that the young Norwegian Vegard Breen (Fortuneo Vital Concept) spent a day vying for the red dots, in an early break away.  Sondre Holst Enger (IAM Cycling) is the final Norwegian in this year's Tour.

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, follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2822206-63-224974/PaintingGoing%20Up%20in%20Andorra%20TdF63-Greig-Leach.html#.V4L7obgrLIU

Tour, Stage 9: That Was Bold!

Alberto Contador (Tinkoff) went out on the attack on the first climb of the day up the Port de la Bonaigua, surprising the whole of the peloton and putting Chris Froome's team into a bit of bother.  However, by the time they were near the top of the long climb, Contador was already sliding back through the ranks of the main body of the race.  As he came along side Tour veteran, Frank Schleck (Trek-Segafredo) the man from Luxembourg reached out to let the Spaniard know just how impressed he was with the attempt.  Little did any of us know at the time, that this could have been Schleck saying goodbye to the man who has won all three of the Grand Tours.  Even before the next climb of the day, Contador pulled over to the side of the road and pulled out of the 103rd Tour de France.  He was said to have awoken with a fever this morning.  Perhaps the attack with Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) was a final test to see if he would be able to continue, the answer must have been, "No."

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, follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2822065-58-224974/PaintingThat%20Was%20Bold%20TdF58-Greig-Leach.html#.V4LFHLgrLIU

Tour, Stage 9: Working Together

Just as I started to write this post I realized that the title might be a misdirection.  I was referring to Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) collaborating with Alberto Contador (Tinkoff).  Both riders are Spanish and the Tour started today in their native land, on the Spanish side of the Pyrenean mountains.  The riders will then head into Andorra and not return to France until Tuesday after the rest day tomorrow.  Once I looked harder at the image, I realized that Contador's teammate, Peter Sagan, was just ahead of the Spanish duo, so the title could refer to the two Tinkoff riders that were working together.  Sagan set of today to reclaim his Maillot Vert the way that he usual wins it by the time he reaches Paris, by claiming the intermediate sprint points on the mountain stages.  If he is successful in staying away until the sprint, and winning it in Andorra la Vielle, he would still trail Mark Cavendish (Dimension Data) by two points in the sprinter's competition.

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%202016/2822062-57-224974/PaintingWorking%20Together%20TdF57-Greig-Leach.html#.V4LBGLgrLIU

Tour, Stage 8: Sprinting to the Top

Reversing his difficulties from the seventh stage of the Tour, Thibaut Pinot (FDJ) jumped into the early break and then road everyone off of his wheel with the exception of the Polish National Champion, Rafal Majka (Tinkoff).  Majka may have once been the winner of the King of the Mountains competition, but he was unable to hold the wheel of the reborn Frenchman.  The crowds on the top of the Col du Tourmalet are always thrilled to greet the leaders on the day, they were going wild to see a Frenchman on a French team leading the whole 198 riders up the Haute Catagorie climb.  The Tour is truly an international event, both on the bike and on the side of the road.  One fan roadside was waving a Japanese flag, as a Frenchman and a Pole labored up to the summit.

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%202016/2821636-50-224974/PaintingSprinting%20to%20the%20Top%20TdF50-Greig-Leach.html#.V4Hgn7grLIU

Tour, Stage 5, Kissing Yellow Goodbye

First, on the art side of this post, I realize that Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) is a bit out of scale.  But sometimes it is good to bend the rules, both in art and in life.  I feel that Sagan is already bigger than life and holding the Yellow Jersey for three days only increase his scale.  That is my story, and I am sticking to it.

Now for the race...  Sagan found the fourth climb of the day up the Puy Marie, just one climb too many.  Add into the fatique of the kilometers spent going up and down with the hard pace being set at the front my Movistar and Team Sky, it was no surprise that the powerful Slovakian World Champion couldn't continue to hold the pace or the Maillot Jaune.  He can consul himself knowing that he will still be in possession of the Maillot Vert - his true goal for the Tour - at the end of the day.

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, follow this link:  http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2819872-31-224974/PaintingKissing%20Yellow%20Goodbye%20TdF31-Greig-Leach.html#.V32MW7grLIU