Tour, Stage 4: Ahead of the Train

This painting's title continues my play on words.  This break away managed to reach the railroad crossing ahead of the train, and of course they are about six minutes ahead of the peloton (or the train of bikes behind).  The foursome of Alexis Gougeard (Ag2r La Mondiale), Markel Irizar (Trek-Segafredo), Andreas Shillinger (Bora Argon 18) and Oliver Naesen (IAM Cycling) took the longest to make their escape from the peloton, not getting away until almost 20 kilometers into the longest stage of this year's Tour.  Their have been races, most notably the fabled Paris Roubaix, when the break has had to wait for a train to cross the road unfortunately losing any time advantage they had built up prior.  Today it was just a few bumps and off they went again.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2818675-22-224974/PaintingAhead%20of%20the%20Train%20TdF22-Greig-Leach.html#.V3v2krgrLIU

Tour Down Under: All Together at 1 K

Despite all of his efforts from the very start of the stage, Sean Lake (UniSA-Australia) was caught with less than 6 kilometers left to race.  The young Australian had been out front of the peloton for over 120 kilometers just to be swallowed up a few minutes from the finish of the day.  All was not in vain, he will be pulling on the King of the Mountains Jersey on the podium tonight.

All day Team Sky was hidden from view, until the peloton closed in on the final kilometer of the stage.  It was then that Peter Kennaugh (Team Sky) hit the front driving the pace for his sprinter.  Fortunately everyone got safely across the railroad crossing and were able to sprint it out for the stage win and the leader's ochre jersey.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting created using watercolors from www.richesonart.com and 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.  In addition, be sure to check out my new book, "Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships" available now at www.artofcycling.bike.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20Down%20Under/2673670-66-194179/Painting.html#.Vp6HfPkrLIU

Richmond 2015 UCI Worlds: Chasing the Train

Etixx Quickstep was chasing a train that happened to be both ahead and behind.  They were trying to catch up to Movistar up the road riding a few seconds slower and hold off the closing BMC train that seemed to be gaining on them second by second.  They must have felt as though they were caught by the train that pass overhead on the elevate trestle to their right.  Those tracks carry coal and passengers up and down the eastern seaboard the wheels underneath of them are carrying their hopes of trading the Spanish Silver for American Gold.

Just ahead of them, by the yellow caution sign, is a train track crossing that once claimed my front wheel and quite a bit of my skin, happily everyone did better crossing the tracks than I.

This is an original small watercolor and ink painting that is available as an original or two different size prints at the Convention Center.  Later they can be purchased through www.richmond.com.  This was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.

Paris Roubaix: Waiting on the Train

Professional bike racing is done on the open road.  While the gendarme do all they can to close off the roadways, the trains still have a time schedule to keep.  It seems that every year some group of riders are caught at a railroad crossing as the gates come down across the road.  This year more riders than normal skirted around the gates trying to beat the train, which should call for disqualification.  Instead those that went through as the gates began to close where held by the referee until this group rejoined them.  At least for all involved, it was a TGV bullet train so the wait wasn't long at all.  Not so good for those trying to join back on from behind.  Some of those waiting impatiently included; Julien Morcie (Europcar), Yaroslav Popovych (Trek Factory Racing) and Dylan Van Baarle (Cannondale Garmin).

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular watercolor just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  International shipping is available.

If you are enjoying reading about Paris Roubaix with the accompanying artwork, be sure to search out my recently published, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France".  It can be found through most every online bookseller around the world.  Google the title to discover where you can get a copy and avoid international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2541132---195767/Painting.html#.VSr8XfnF-xU

Paris Roubaix: Caught by a Train

Paris Roubaix throws a lot of obstacles at the competitors from strong winds, to cobbled roads and even railroad crossings.  While they race on closed roads, meaning no cars or traffic, the fabulous train system of Europe keeps running and occasionally will catch a rider out.  Here it is David Boucher (FDJ) having had a flat while in the break, gets caught by a high speed train (although not fast enough for his needs).  It was several years ago that a break away including George Hincapie was waved through a closed gate only to be disqualified for crossing the tracks.  While it caused a controversy (it was a police officer who waved them through) it was the right thing to do for the safety of all involved.  So here Boucher sits leaning against the neutral service car while the break speeds a way and the peloton gets closer and closer.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com or you could just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%202014/2345167---195767/Painting.html#.U0rWa8_D_IU