Tour of Britain, Stage 6: All Who Matter

With all of the early escapees back in the fold, it was time for the GC contenders to make their move.  Each of the hopefuls put a teammate on the front to ramp up the pace as they started up to the summit of Haytor, Dartmoor.  So Loic Vliegen (BMC) road for Rohan Dennis, Marco Mocato (Wanty Group Gobert), for Xandro Meurisse, and finally Jack Bauer (Cannondale-Drapac) for Dylan Van Baarle.  With just five kilometers left to race, all of them uphill, it was now the time to take over the lead of the Tour of Britain.  For Meurisse, it was time to make sure the King of the Mountians Jersey would be his on the final day.  The rest of the Tour are either a time trial or circuit races, with a win today, his lead would be unbeatable.

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/Tour%20of%20Britain/2849673-71-189075/PaintingAll%20Who%20Matter%20ToB45-Greig-Leach.html#.V9OFspgrLIU

Tour of Britain, Stage 6: Greipel Is on the Front

First the leader in the Sprint Competition is seen leading the break away up the second climb of the day, then the renowned sprinter, Andre Greipel (Lotto Soudal) is seen leading the peloton on the Category 1 and penultimate climb of the day.  Stranger still, on the wheel of the German National Champion is the leader of the King of the Mountains competition, Xandro Meurisse (Wanty Group Gobert).  I will assume that Greipel is continuing to aide his team as best he can in support of their General Classification man, Tony Gallopin.  Tucked on to the front is a rider from Team Wiggins, I am sorry to say I did not get his name.

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/Tour%20of%20Britain/2849665-69-189075/PaintingGreipel%20Is%20on%20the%20Front%20ToB43-Greig-Leach.html#.V9N-yZgrLIU

Tour of Britain, Stage 5: Just Making Sure

The leader in the King of the Mountains competition, Xandro Meurisse (Wanty Group Gobert) had been picking up the final remaining point on the two previous climbs of the day's stage and doing so without having to sprint against his nearest competitor, Nicolas Roche (Sky).  Today it seems, Roche had decided not to spend the energy trying to grab any of the minor placings on the tops of the climbs.  Meurisse approached the summit of Selsley Common on the front of the peloton.  He took a quick look back over his shoulder just to make sure no one was trying to sprint past him for the remaining KOM point of the day.  Behind him, Lotto Soudal and LottoNL Jumbo were more interested in keeping the tempo turning over than they were in the KOM competition.

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/Tour%20of%20Britain/2849124-58-189075/PaintingJust%20Making%20Sure%20ToB32-Greig-Leach.html#.V9HoEpgrLIU

Tour of Britain, Stage 4: Using Team Tactics

The two climbers competing for the King of the Mountains Jersey have been Nicolas Roche (Sky) and Xandro Meurisse (Wanty Group Gobert).  The pair had traded best of the rest on the first two climbs of the day, leaving Meurisse in the lead by one point.  As they approached the final climb of the day, the first four placings had already been claimed by the breakaway.  With 2 points of the next guy over the summit, and one of the next one, Wanty Group Gobert sent Marco Marcato up the road to get the two points.  Now with just one point left, the best Roche could to was pull back even.  However, Meurisse was able to get the final KOM point of the stage.  I am sure this competition will go all the way to London.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20Britain/2848885-50-189075/PaintingUsing%20Team%20Tactics%20ToB24-Greig-Leach.html#.V9DXNJgrLIU