US Pro Challenge Stage 4: One for His Fans

Jens Voigt (Trek Factory Racing) went to the sign in board with a variation to his team's jersey.  Written in a lovely script were the words, "Thank you, fans!"  It was a lovely sentiment from a pro of 17 years who knows were the support ultimately comes from.  He may have planned to combine the jersey with the actions he has now set into play.  With the ascent up into the Garden of the Gods, Voigt quickly got a sizable gap on the break away and set off in search of the stage victory that would cap an already brilliant career.  Voigt has said that he wanted to leave racing while he was still competitive and he certainly proved his capabilities in the final lap of the Colorado Springs circuit.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this 4"x6" painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/US%20Pro%20Challenge%202014/2423500---201508/Painting.html#.U_e12s_D_IU

Tour Final Stage: Racing His Final Stage

Jens Voigt (Trek Factory Racing) had announced that he was retiring after the Tour de France.  The 42 year old German has ridden in, and completed, 17 Tours de France, a most astonishing accomplishment.  When he was interviewed, he was asked if there would be any move by the peloton to honor him, giving him a lap on the front of the race, his response, "Honor in cycling is not given, it is earned," may well have been him telling us that he was planning to attack.  After Sylvain Chavanel (IAM Cycling) had been pulled back into the fold, Voigt went off of the front as he swung around the L'Arc de Triomphe.  The strong man may have been the one to make the audacious move stick, but again, the sprinters wanted there day in Paris.  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!

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2409026---199992/Painting.html#.U9WfqMvD_IU

Tour Final Stage: Arriving on the Champs Elysees

For those who had succeed it making it all of the way around France (and the dips into England and Spain), it was with a sense of relief, pride and accomplishment that they rolled onto the cobbles of the Champs Elysees.  As they made the first climb up the wide boulevard towards the L'Arc de Triomphe, they were cheered by tens of thousands and saluted by the French Air Force flying with perfect timing towards them with the tricolore smoke trailing behind. Another tradition is for the team of the Yellow Jersey to lead the peloton around the first lap in Paris, today it was not quite even the first half of the lap before the racing began in earnest.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  This work and all of my paintings of the 2014 Tour de France will be included in my soon to be self published "Book de Tour."  To learn more about the book project, to pre order your copy, or to discover how you can be a part of bringing the art of the Tour to print, pleas visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  There are some great incentives to get you to back the book starting for as little as $5 USD, everyone who pledges their support will have their name included in print on the Special Thanks page of the book.  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 in a book form?  Of course you do!

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2409014---199992/Painting.html#.U9WY0MvD_IU

Tour Last Stage: Friends Along the Way

Blel Kadri (AG2R) took advantage of the extremely slow pace of the peloton to stop and visit with a friend waiting along the side of the road.  His buddy seem to reach out to embrace him, stunned at how thin he was, and then to revel in Kadri's survival to Paris and his victories along the way.  AG2R has had a stellar Tour de France, taking the overall team victory and placing Jean-Chirstophe Peraud onto the podium in third place.  Kadri brought them a stage victory and held the King of the Mountains Jersey for one stage as a result.  The young boy on his dad's shoulders will have a tale for years to come, regaling anyone who will listen about getting to meet Blel Kadri on the last day of the Tour de France.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  This work and all of my paintings of the 2014 Tour de France will be included in my soon to be self published "Book de Tour."  To learn more about the book project, to pre order your copy, or to discover how you can be a part of bringing the art of the Tour to print, pleas visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  There are some great incentives to get you to back the book starting for as little as $5 USD, everyone who pledges their support will have their name included in print on the Special Thanks page of the book.  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 in a book form?  Of course you do!

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2409008---199992/Painting.html#.U9WWTsvD_IU

Tour Final Stage: Toasting the Team

Yet another tradition of the Tour de France is for the winner of the Yellow Jersey to have a glass of champagne on the gentle ride towards the Seine and the Champs Elysees.  Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) true to his character, went to the team car and collected glasses of bubbly for each and everyone of his teammates who had worked so hard to get him into the Jersey and to keep him there.  It was an act of bike handling to collect nine glasses and then to ride to each teammate to hand them a glass.  Astana is one of the few teams that brought all nine riders all of the way around the Tour.  They did come very close to losing Jakob Fuglsang on a crash coming down a mountain, but he got back on the bike and kept going all the way to Paris.  When Nibali won the 2013 Giro d'Italia, they skipped the glasses and passed the bottle around, each taking big pulls off of the magnum as they rode along.  It is amusing to know that his General Manager had criticized the Italian for failing to produce results in the earlier part of the season, Nibali simply let his legs give the answer.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  This work and all of my paintings of the 2014 Tour de France will be included in my soon to be self published "Book de Tour."  To learn more about the book project, to pre order your copy, or to discover how you can be a part of bringing the art of the Tour to print, pleas visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  There are some great incentives to get you to back the book starting for as little as $5 USD, everyone who pledges their support will have their name included in print on the Special Thanks page of the book.  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 in a book form?  Of course you do!

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2409002---199992/Painting.html#.U9WTfsvD_IU

Tour Stage 20: Whipping Around the Corner

Thibaut Pinot (FDJ) started the only Time Trial of the 101st Tour de France in second place just barely ahead of his countryman and former teammate, Jean-Christophe Peraud (AG2R).  The younger French man, did all he could to stay even with Peraud but even with the AG2R rider's flat tire, the wearer of the White Jersey of best young rider was not able to best the older Frenchman.  Pinot road has hard as he could taking every necessary risk to save as many seconds as possible.  While losing the Maillot Blanche was not a realistic prospect, he wanted to ensure that he stayed on the podium in Paris.  This is the best showing by the French in their home Tour in forty years, today confirming their hold on second and third place and the White Jersey.  Along the way their have garnered two stage victories and treated their fans to some serious bike racing.  With a third young countryman in the top six, the future of French cycling is very bright indeed.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com and will be part of my soon to be self published book of Tour de France artwork, "Book de Tour."  To learn more about the book project, to pre order your copy, or to discover how you can be a part of bringing this stunning Tour de France to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  There are some excellent Backer Rewards for those who choose to pledge their support, including artist signed copies of the book, original art, postcards and even a copies of the book signed by the eventual winner of the Tour, Vincenzo Niblai.  If you would like to purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2408592---199992/Painting.html#.U9QrIsvD_IU

Tour Stage 20: Precious Seconds

Jean-Christophe Peraud (AG2R) had everything riding on his performance in the only Time Trial of the 101st Tour de France, and did not need anything to go wrong.  Unfortunately his wishing of luck to Thibaut Pinot (FDJ) did not insolate him from having bad luck himself.  At about the half way point when he had already secured the Virtual Second Place on the road, he had a rear tire flat.  He let his following team car know what was wrong and then pulled to a stop along the decorated front yard of a house along the route.  He gently set his first time trial machine down as he waited for his mechanics to bring a replacement bike to him.  He did his best to remain calm, as the pair moved with precision to get him up and running.  The whole process took about 15 seconds, but with the GC placing so tight, it was time he would rather not give up.  Perhaps the adrenaline from the delay would push him to the line in time.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  It will be part of the soon to be self published complete collection of my paintings and writings of the 101st Tour de France, "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 race to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  There are some great rewards for those who choose to pledge their support starting for as little as $5 USD.  Everyone who backs the project will have their name in print on the Special Thanks page of "Book de Tour".  If you would like to purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post, but don't you want a copy of the book?  Of course you do!

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2408582---199992/Painting.html#.U9QbtMvD_IU

Tour Stage 20: Into the First Corner

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!

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2408546---199992/Painting.html#.U9QP8MvD_IU

Tour Stage 20: Ready to Roll

Having waited twenty days to show why he is the World Time Trial Champion, Tony Martin (OPQS) was ready to roll down the start ramp in Bergerac.  Called the 'Race of Truth' because it is the efforts of the guy on the bike alone, without drafting, teammates or any place to hide from the wind, that determines how well they do in the stage.  Martin was not very high up on the General Classification, but with this being his discipline, he would only be happy with a stage win.  He has won the last two individual time trials in the Tour de France, and is wearing the Rainbow Time Trialist Jersey for the third year in a row.  This Tour he has also won an open road stage, a first for him, using his time trialing abilities to hold off the chasing peloton.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes by Jack Richeson & Company, www.richesonart.com.  The painting 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!

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2408544-151-144-199992/Painting/Sports.html#.U9QM_MvD_IU

Tour Stage 19: The Other End of the Race

Even as his teammate celebrate the victory he so narrowly missed in Nimes, Jack Bauer (Garmin Sharp) was picking himself back up off of the road.  He was one of roughly thirty riders who went down just inside of the final 3 kilometers to go point on the approach into Bergerac.  The three kilometer part of the story is critical.  Riders who crash or have a mechanical inside of that point are given the same time on the stage as those whom they were with that make it to the finishing line. Bauer took longer to get back underway than most who went down, and was shaking out his left arm as he slowly pedal the remaining distance to join his jubilant teammate.  Many others came up along his side as he rode in, but unlike the Garmin Sharp man, they had been dropped out on the course and their arrival time gaps were what would be recorded as their official times.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  The painting will be amongst the complete collection of paintings of the 2014 Tour de France the will comprise my soon to be self published, "Book de Tour."  To learn more about the book project, to pre order your copy, or to discover how you can become a part of bringing this Tour de France to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2408468---199992/Painting.html#.U9M9M8vD_IU

Tour Stage 19: On His Own

Team Garmin Sharp went into this stage as one of thirteen teams that have yet to win a Stage of the 101st Tour de France, and they were not planning on letting that still be the case at the end of the day.  After putting Tom Jelte Slagter in the early break, they then launched Ramunas Navardauskas off of the front of the peloton on the only Categorized climb of the day.  While it was still 20 kilometers to the line, they were hoping to rectify the Jack Bauer being caught at the line in Nimes.  Cycling is a sport that will go in almost any conditions, and the fans will come out to watch them regardless of the weather, so it is that the roads today were lined with umbrellas, slickers and ponchos, because the rain was not going to dampen the mood of the fans.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  The painting along with all of my art of the 101st Tour de France will be included in my soon to be self published tome, "Book de Tour."  To learn more about the book project, to pre order your copy, or to discover how you can become a part of bringing this Tour to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  There are some excellent rewards for those who choose to pledge their support, but do hurry the funding period ends on the 4th of August.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2408454---199992/Painting.html#.U9M2GcvD_IU

Tour Stage 19: In the Spray

There are so many complications when the skies open up on the peloton.  For the riders the rain brings dangers roads where a slick painted line on the road can leave you sliding butt first across the road or the grit that has washed onto the tarmac can send slivers into your tires leaving you with a flat and a hard chase back onto the peloton after a wheel change.  And then there is the misery of 5 hours of wet feet, cold and the constant spray of dirty ditch water being sprayed up into your face from the bikes, motorcycles and support vehicles that form the modern peloton.  For those of us who are covering the race or watching as avid fans, with race capes that cover numbers, it can be very difficult to tell who is who, or even what team the riders are on.  Race organizers have attached transponders to the cyclist's bikes, but even that method fails when a rider has to have a bike change.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  The painting along with all of my art of the 101st Tour de France will be included in my soon to be self published tome, "Book de Tour."  To learn more about the book project, to pre order your copy, or to discover how you can become a part of bringing this Tour to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  There are some excellent rewards for those who choose to pledge their support, but do hurry the funding period ends on the 4th of August.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2408444---199992/Painting.html#.U9My9MvD_IU

Tour Stage 19: A Little Bit of Advice

Arnaud Gerard (Bretagne-Seche) slipped to the back of the small group that was off the front of the peloton by over three minutes to chat with his Team Director.  By the hand gestures that were coming from behind the steering wheel, it seemed to be a discussion about the dangers of the course that lay ahead.  The group would soon be getting to the outskirts of Bergerac and the wet roads would make for some slippery roundabouts and 90 degree turns as the riders came to the end of a 208.5 kilometer slough through drizzle, wet roads and thunderstorms.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website, www.greigleach.com and will be included in my soon to be self published complete collection of my paintings of the 101st Tour de France, "Book de Tour."  To learn more about the book project, to pre order your copy, or to discover how you can become a part of bringing this art of cycling to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  There are some fabulous Backer Rewards for those who choose to pledge to the Kickstarter "Book de Tour" project for as little as $5 USD.  Every level of support will get your name printed on the Special Thanks page of the book.  To purchase this painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  But wouldn't you like to have a copy of the book that this painting will be included in as well?

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2408442---199992/Painting.html#.U9Muis_D_IU

Tour Stage 18: Daredevil Descent

Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) was less than confident about his ability to stay with Nibali and the other GC men on the final ascent of a big mountain in the 2014 Tour de France, so he decided he would use his skill as a descender to put time into his rivals.  He joined up with Jon Izaguirre, who had dropped back from the early break, and John Gadret, as the threesome got into as tight of an aerodynamic tuck as possible, and let it rip down the back side of the Col du Tourmalet.  They opened a bit of a gab on the peloton, although Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) was able to stay within side of the fleeing Movistar team.  Others just behind Valverde on the GC, didn't possess the same level of daring that the man in second place over all has, so it was a good time to gain time.  This is a small original 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 tome, "Book de Tour."  To learn more about the book project, to pre order your signed copy, or 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.  There are some great Backer incentives with rewards starting for pledges as little as $5 USD.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2407966---199992/Painting.html#.U9HcSc_D_IU

Tour Stage 18: Chatting on the Way Up

First it was Mikel Nieve (Team Sky) that sprung off of the front of the lead group on the Tourmalet, but he was quickly joined by Blel Kadri (AG2R).  Kadri is part of the French team that has the overall team lead, which in determined by the combined times of the three highest placed riders on each team.  He was also the first Frenchman to win a stage in this Tour and has worn the Polka Dot Jersey in the first half of the race.  Nieve is racing on his home roads and was on the now defunct Basque team of Euskatdel-Euskadi, with these incentives and the desire to redeem Team Sky's Tour with a stage victory, he was riding hard up the fabled climb of the Col du Tourmalet to deliver the victory on the final climb up the Hautacam.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  This painting along with all of my artwork of the 101st Tour de France will be included in my soon to be self published tome, "Book de Tour."  To learn more about the book project, to pre order your copy or to discover how you can be a part of bringing this beautiful race to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  Be sure to check out the generous Backer Rewards for those who choose to pledge their support to the "Book de Tour" project.  If you would like to purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  But don't you want a copy of the book as well?

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2407902---199992/Painting.html#.U9HVas_D_IU

Tour Stage 18: Coming Back to the Peloton

Bryan Coquard (Europcar) had managed to make it into the early break which enabled him to sprint for the intermediate sprint points.  While he has no chance of catching, Peter Sagan (Cannondale), the current holder of the Green points jersey, he did help to secure his second place over Marcel Kittel.  After the sprint, the French sprinter wasn't up to staying on the wheels of the break on the lower slopes of the Col du Tourmalet.  He was the first escapee to be picked up by the Astana led peloton.  He is reaching into his pockets so he can pass gels and bottles to his teammates in the Yellow Jersey group.  As he was sure to slide on out the back of the peloton, he knew he would be able to get more to drink from the team car as it went forward and he went back to the grupetto.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  This painting, along with all of my art of the 101st Tour de France will be included in my soon to be self published tome, "Book de Tour."  To learn more about the book project, to pre order your copy, or to discover how you can become a part of bring this race to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  There are some excellent incentives to get you to become a backer of this project.  If you would like to purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  But don't you want a visual record of this stunning Tour de France?

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2407880---199992/Painting.html#.U9HRXc_D_IU

Tour Stage 18: Preparing to Climb

Team Europcar, who have been racing with guts and aggression, put three men into the early break, most notably their darling of the French public, Thomas Voeckler.  Has the large break went through town before making the turn that let to the famed Col du Tourmalet, Voeckler dropped back to his team car to get one more bottle and energy gel for the climb.  The men in the Tour will burn over 6,000 calories on an average stage, and this stage with its two Haute Catagorie climbs was going to be anything but average.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com and will be included, along with all of my 2014 Tour de France paintings in my soon to be self published book, "Book de Tour."  To learn more about the book, to pre order your copy, or to discover how you can become involved in bringing the art of the Tour to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  There are some exciting incentives for those who choose to back the project starting for as little as $5 USD and at $25 USD, you will get an artist signed copy of the "Book de Tour".  Everyone who pledges their support will have their name in print included in the Special Thanks page of the book regardless of the amount pledged.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  But you know you want a copy of the book to go with the artwork, don't you?

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2407870---199992/Painting.html#.U9HNWs_D_IU

Tour Stage 18: A Long Thin Line

Stage 18 of the Tour de France started innocently enough with just two small climbs in the first half of the stage.  The Astana led peloton let a rather large break away get off of the front, none within a half hour of Vincenzo Nibali's Maillot Jaune.  It would normally be safe to assume that Astana would sit back and let the race unfold, but there has been nothing normal about Nibali's desire to remove any doubt that he is the rightful wearer of the Jersey, regardless of who is in and who is out of the 101st Tour de France.  He had told the press that he wanted to win another stage in Yellow, to show honor to the Jersey and the Tour.  He doesn't expect to do well in the only Time Trial on Stage 20, and won't be anywhere near the first guy across the line on tomorrow's flat stage or on the cobbles of the Champs Elysees in the shadow of the L'Arc de Triomphe.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that has been created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson and Company, www.richesonart.com  The painting is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com and will be included, along with all of my 2014 Tour de France paintings in my soon to be self published book, "Book de Tour."  To learn more about the book, to pre order your copy, or to discover how you can become involved in bringing the art of the Tour to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  There are some exciting incentives for those who choose to back the project starting for as little as $5 USD and at $25 USD, you will get an artist signed copy of the "Book de Tour".  Everyone who pledges their support will have their name in print included in the Special Thanks page of the book regardless of the amount pledged.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  But you know you want a copy of the book to go with the artwork, don't you?

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2407864-135-132-199992/Painting/Sports.html#.U9HKQ8_D_IU

Tour Stage 17: King of the Mountain

Rafal Majka (Tinkoff Saxo) had been chasing Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) up every climb of the stage and coming up short.  On the road, Rodriguez had taken over the virtual lead in the King of the Mountains competition, but Majka was not one to give up easily.  As the shreds of the peloton and the original break away toiled up the hill, Rodriguez discovered he had put too much into taking back the Jersey.  As the Katusha rider faded, Majka who had been protected by two of his teammates, Mick Rodgers and Nicolas Roche, had the strength to reach the summit first when it really mattered.  When a stage ends on a mountain top, the KOM points are doubled, so with the victory and Rodriguez coming in five minutes later, the Polka Dots appear to be solidly on the shoulders of the young Polish rider, Majka.  Tinkoff Saxo has now taken the three mountain top victories since their team leader, Alberto Contador, had to pull out of the race.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  It will be included along with all of my paintings of this Tour in my soon to be self published tome, "Book de Tour."  To learn more about the book project, to pre order your copy, or to discover how you can be a part of bringing this most amazing race to print,please visit  https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  There are some exciting rewards for those who choose to back this project starting at only $5 USD, with an artist signed copy for only $25 USD.  Everyone who pledges their support to the project will have their name in print on the Special Thanks page of "Book de Tour"   To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  But you know you want a copy of the book as well, don't you?

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2407348---199992/Painting.html#.U9CD_M_D_IU

Tour Stage 17: Amongst the Fans

With thousand of screaming flag waving fans lining every inch of the final climb up the Pla d'Adet, Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) attacked the rest to prove he is the truly deserved wearer of the Maillot Jaune.  The only man who could hold the Italian National Champion's wheel was the third best place Frenchman, Jean-Christophe Peraud (AG2R).  The pair had left it too late to catch the pair of Giovanni Visconti (Movistar) and Rafal Majka (Tinkoff Saxo), but still were putting in time to those behind them.  Peraud wears the yellow racing bib the designates that his team, AG2R, is leading the team classification.  The French team has been on fire in this Tour, briefly holding the Polka Dot Jersey and still in the fight to get back the White Jersey.  They were the team that pick up the first stage win for the French in the 101st Tour de France.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  It will be included along with all of my paintings of this Tour in my soon to be self published tome, "Book de Tour."  To learn more about the book project, to pre order your copy, or to discover how you can be a part of bringing this most amazing race to print,please visit  https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  There are some exciting rewards for those who choose to back this project starting at only $5 USD, with an artist signed copy for only $25 USD.  Everyone who pledges their support to the project will have their name in print on the Special Thanks page of "Book de Tour"   To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  But you know you want a copy of the book as well, don't you?

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2407346---199992/Painting.html#.U9CAa8_D_IU