Ironically, I was congratulating myself this morning on not having duplicated a title for the first 95 paintings of this Tour. And then I called this one "Rolling Along" and blew that stat. This is a group of five that the peloton wasn't interested in letting go. While Niki Terpstra (Quick Step) was pushing hard on the front, the peloton never gave them more than two minutes. Joining the former Dutch national champion were two riders from Mitchelton-Scott, Matthew Heyman and Luke Durbridge, along with the French sprinter, Thomas Boudet (Direct Energie) and Guillaume Van Keirsbulck (Wanty-Groupe Gobert). With today and Paris the last chances for the sprinters to get a stage, neither I nor more importantly the peloton were giving any chance of this break succeeding.
Today is Bastille Day and the French in (and out of) the peloton all hope to win on their national holiday. Regardless of the slim chance that a break away will succeed on a preceived sprint stage, Fabien Grellier (Direct Energie) went out to lead the race and inspire the fans to hope for the elusive French victory on their equivalent of July 4th in the USA. Joining Grellier was the Dutchman, Marco Minnaard (Wanty-Groupe Gobert). Both teams are continuing their record of getting into every break in every road stage thus far.
I have know idea what was actually being discussed between Yoann Offredo (Wanty-Groupe Gobert) and his team director, but Offredo's gesture seems to imply the title of this piece is what he was saying. Offredo had the misfortune of being the only rider to escape the peloton today. Misfortune, because even though an average size break is doomed on a sprinter's stage, a solo effort is virtually always bound to fail. That may have even been the subject of the discussion and dismissive gesture. Never the less, Offredo was eventually caught by the peloton after some good air time for his sponsors.
This is the painting that you can watch being created on my You Tube channel. I hope you will give it a watch, as I discussed how I create these paintings. Plus, I go into why I choose the images to paint and how they fit into the story of the 105th Tour de France. Of course, you can just watch it here, but I hope you will subscribe to the channel. I could use your non-monetary support. (save that for purchasing one - or more - of these one of a kind watercolors.
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.
With four catagorized climbs facing the peloton today, it seem like a good chance for Dion Smith (Wanty-Groupe Gobert) to reclaim his Maillot a Pois that he won on the first stage of the Tour. Joining Smith on today's break away effort was Anthony Turgis (Cofidis) and two riders from Direct Energie, Damien Gaudin and Fabien Grellier. It is quite impressive that these three teams have been off the front in every road stage thus far.
The other impressive thing to see is just how international the peloton and the fans of the Tour are. Just over Smith's shoulder you can see the Colombian flag. All along the route you will see the flags of near every nation in the world and every department of France. And of course all of the flags of the teams in the Tour, as well.
This is the painting I filmed while painting. You can see that video through my You Tube channel and right here. I hope you will enjoy the process of creating these paintings and my explanation of what is happening in the Tour. I hope that you will also choose to become a subscriber to the channel.
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.
The Tour de France is full of traditions, and hold overs from days gone by. Before the edition of race radios, the riders kept taps on the where abouts of the breaks and peloton by a moto carrying a chalkboard and showing the time gaps to each group. With all of the information available to the team directors in the team cars, this is now basically a cute hold-over complete with an attractive woman holding up the chalkboard for the rider's momentary distraction. In fact, it only seems to be Jerome Cousin (Direct Energie) that is even giving the moto more than a passing glance. Guillaume Van Kiersbulck (Wanty-Groupe Gobert) along with the Cofidis riders, Anthony Peres and Dimitri Claeys, seemed to just be getting on with the job at hand.
You can see this painting come to life at my You Tube channel, where I hope you will be come a suscriber. Or you can see it here:
I will be sharing one of my paintings being created each and every stage throughout this Tour.
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.
Stage 4 has the Tour back out on the road of the Britton region of northern France, and has the requiste early break up the road. The two Frenchmen and the two Belgiums were collaborating now, but they will be cheering against each other with tonight's World Cup Semi Final between the two countries. Guillaume Van Keirsbulck (Wanty-Groupe Gobert) is calling for his team car, most likely looking for a little information about where the peloton is (or where they are for that matter). Joining him are Jerome Cousin (Direct Energie) in his second break away of this Tour and two riders from Cofidis, Anthony Perez and Dimitri Claeys. This foursome buitlg up eight minutes on the peloton before the group decided to start chasing them down.
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.
While these three could not have hoped to hold of the peloton all of the way to the line, they did stay away long enough to contend for the only King of the Mountain points on the first stage of the Tour. All three gave it a go, but it was Kevin Ledanois (Fortuneo-Samsic) who claimed the first Polka Dot Jersey of the 105th Tour de France. His companions, Yoann Offredo (Wanty-Groupe Gobert) and Jerome Cousin (Direct Energie) will have to console themselves with TV time for themselves and their sponsors. Ledanois was later awarded the first Most Combative rider of this Tour. The Cote de Vix was not much of a climb, but the organizers wanted to get someone in to polka dots for the next day of racing. The balance of the jerseys will be fought for in another 80 kilometers in Fontenaye le Comte.
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.
Alas, I wasn't able to get the image I wanted, the very start of the Tour. Seems the cameras went off line at the front of the peloton and it took some time to get the links sorted. By then, the lead group of three, Kevin Ledanois (Fortuneo-Samsic), Yoann Offredo (Wanty-Groupe Gobert) and Jerome Cousin (Direct Energie) had gotten off the front fot the first break away of the 2018 Tour de France. Naturally they represented three wild card teams, and all Frenchmen on French teams to boot. The title comes from the fact that they are just coming off a bridge that links the start island in Noirmoutier en L'Ile to the mainland, and that all of France will be covered in the next three weeks by the peloton.
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.
One man leading the race, with two chasing it meant that this the third group on the road had to chase, and chase hard. Amongst these six chasers was the Rainbow Jersey of Peter Sagan (Bora Hansgrohe), Oliver Naesen (Ag2r La Mondiale), and Yoann Offredo (Wanty Groupe Gobert). With the race spread out in numerous small groups it feel to the neutral service support sponsored by Shimano to look after the needs of these riders until their team cars could reach them.
This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes fromwww.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. It seems that the gremlins have reappeared in my interface with technology. I am unable to upload the artwork to my website so if you are interested in purchase this piece please email me at greigsart@gmail.com.
As the peloton approached the summit of the Cat and Fiddle climb, Wout Poels (Sky) jumped out of the peloton with his teammate Nicolas Roche on his wheel. The duo had hoped to surprise the King of the Mountians Jersey of Xandro Meurisse (Wanty Group Gobert) was attentive and quickly covered the Irish Champion's wheel. Try as the Sky duo might, it was still Meurisse who went over the rise in fifth place, moving him into the outright lead in the King of the Mountains competition.
Lining the summit of the climb were hundreds of cycling fans, many of whom had ridden up to the top on their bikes. I am sure having ridden the climb, they had a much better appreciation for what the pros were able to achieve and the speeds at which they did it.
Both Nicolas Roche (Sky) and Xandro Meurisse (Wanty Group Gobert) started the day equal on points in the King of the Mountain competition, but it was Meurisse who wore the black jersey of the KOM leader (due to count back). Roche was able to beat Meurisse to the summit of the Brickhouse climb moving him one point ahead on the road. The four break away riders had already claimed the first four positions at the summit. But that left Roche adding two points and Meurisse with one additional point.
While the race had already been over six categorized climbs, it was still the flat piece of road before the final climb of the day. At least once they summit the next climb, they will have almost twenty hours before they will have to ride up another mountain. This was the last of those that had formed the early break of over twenty riders, this quintet was comprised of Cyril Gautier (Ag2r La Mondiale), Dayer Quintana (Movistar), Andriy Grivko (Astana), Bartosz Huzarski (Bora-Argon 18) and Enrico Gesparotto (Wanty-Groupe Gobert). At this point they still had roughly two minutes on those behind, but the 15 kilometers of climbing to come could eat that time up rather quickly.
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.
Maxime Bouet (Etixx-Quickstep) proves the old axiom that the third time is the charm. This was the third time Bouet had attack his break away companions, 'Frederik Veuchelen (Wnaty-Groupe Govert) and Bryan Naulleau (Direct Energie). Each time Veuchelen was able to chase the fleeing Frenchman down. However this time, Bouet finally broke the elastic that held him to his compatriots. With just thirty seconds on the closing peloton, it may be a little late to go on the solo flyer. However, it was about the same point in the race yesterday when Fabio Aru (Astana) pulled of the same feet successfully.
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.
Today was the first time I have seen rider mounted cameras sharing real time video from inside the peloton. Kenneth Van Bielsen (Cofidis) had a small light camera mounted just under his stem and bike computer that was able to bounce the signal up to the satellite just like the TV Motos. The low angle shot kind of features the butts of the riders, but then it is a view that I am familiar with. Van Bielsen was tucked in behind Guillaume Martin and Bjorn Thurau (both Wanty-Groupe Gobert) as well as the leader of Ag2r La Mondiale, Romain Bardet. This camera really gives the feel of what it is like to ride in a large group on the road. Bravo, Dimension Data!
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 break away was the first to hear the bell ringing for the start of the 30 kilometer circuit around the town of Belley. It was Frederick Veuchelen (Wanty-Groupe Gobert) who lead the break out onto the single lap. The riders will all have a chance to preview the small rise up to the finishing line prior to having to sprint for the stage win. The climb will open the door for a puncheur to get a jump on the traditional sprinters. It is the kind of finale that would be perfect for the talents of Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) but alas, he isn't racing this Criterium du Dauphine.
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.
True to form the fourth stage of the Criterium du Dauphine featured and early break, and yet again Wanty-Groupe Gobert was represented. This time it was the Belgium rider, Frederik Veuchelen. The others that made up the trio were, Maxime Bouet (Etixx-Quickstep) and Bryan Nauleau (Direct Energie). While the threesome were way to far down the general classification to effect the leader board, today's stage may be the final chance for the sprinters to show their stuff. Therefore it is unlikely that they will be allow to stay away to the line. I image that several of the fast men were still angry at themselves for letting Fabio Aru (Astana) pull off a solo dash to victory yesterday.
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.
Dimtri Claeys (Wanty-Groupe Gobert) wasn't happy with the effort nor the speed that his fellow break away riders were putting in. He swung over to the right side of the road, looking hard into the eyes of his compatriots, trying to ascertain whether it was lack of desire or lack of energy that held them back. Leading the rest of the group was the Frenchman, Cyril Gautier (Ag2r) followed by Thomas De Gendt (Lotto Soudal) and the champion of the Netherlands, Niki Terpstra (Etixx-Quickstep). At this point the peloton had closed to within a minute and a half of this 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.
Frederik Backaert (Wanty-Groupe Gobert) pressed on with the break, even after his compatriot, Mitch Docker (Orica-GreenEdge) threw in the towel. One member of the rolling caravan is the team that keeps the time gaps on a chalkboard. The bright yellow clad riders move from group to group showing each the time gaps on the road. Admittedly, the directors sportif on the other end of the two way radios in each rider's ear can easily relay the same information, old tradition do die hard.
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 first stage on the open road featured the requiste break away. The duo of Mitch Docker (Orica-GreenEdge) and Frederik Backaert (Wanty-Groupe Gobert). The two had managed to build up to five minutes on the peloton. But by the time they road through the town of Peyzieu the teammates of the sprinters had reeled back two minutes on the escapees. One of the treats of watching cycling throughout the world, is the chance to see areas of great beauty and charm. I often wonder how much the riders really get to enjoy the scenery.
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 114th edition of Paris Roubaix was decidedly not going to script. Even after 100 kilometers into the race no one was able to gain even a minute or two on the following peloton. At this point those attempting to escape the big names of the sport were, Nils Politt (Katusha), Robin Stenvit (Wanty-Groupe Gobert), Evaldas Siskevicius (Delko Marseille Provence), Gediminas Bagdonas (Ag2r La Mondiale), Benoit Jarrier (Fortuneo-Vital Concept) and Kenneth Van Bilsen (Cofidis). Politt is taking the opportunity to peek back over his shoulder to see if he can espy those chasing from behind.
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. In addition this painting, and all of my cycling artwork, 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.
Be sure to discover my most recent book, Art of Cycling: Richnond 2015 UCI Road World Chanpionships. You can find the book at your favorite online retailer or at www.artofcycling.bike.
