Tour, Stage 18: Getting Started

Every road stage, with the exception of yesterday, begins with a neutral start.  The group rolls out for as much as 15 kilometers before the race gets truly underway.  This allows the riders to warm up their legs and to get themselves sorted out.  Some want to be right up at the front to start their attempts to get in the break.  Others want to get out of the way of the early aggressions, and others just want to ease in to the day.  Never the less, when Christian Prudhomme drops that flag at the 0 kilometer marker, it is time to race.

See this painting come to life at my You Tube channel where I hope you will become a subscriber.  When you are there, you will be able to see one painting from every stage thus far being created as I talk about the race, the painting and many things cycling and art.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France-2018/3194556-96-251072/PaintingGetting-Started--T18-95.html

Tour of Britain, Final Stage: About to Start

The entire peloton lined up on the road side under the Admiralty Arch on the streets of London.  Well, all but eight of those who had started a week ago in Glasgow, Scotland.  As is the tradition of every stage start, all of the leaders' jerseys are placed front and center, with the rest of the peloton lining up as they like.  Just out of  "camera" is Rohan Dennis (BMC) in the points jersey.  Next to him and in camera is the King of the Mountian, Xandro Meurisse (Wanty Group Gobert), then the Yellow Jersey of Steve Cummings (Dimension Data).  Breaking into the line up is the American, Taylor Phinney (BMC), perhaps he is planning something for the start.  And finally the sprinter leader, Jasper Bovenhuis (An Post Chain Reaction).  Bovenhuis has only to take one more of the intermediate sprints on the day to ensure his overall victory in the competition.  Unlike most stages, there is no neutral start for this circuit race through the streets of London, once the flag drops, the race is on.

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/2850489-83-189075/PaintingAbout%20to%20Start%20ToB57-Greig-Leach.html#.V9ZCApgrLIU

Tour de France, Stage 19: Talking Behind His Back

Each stage of the Tour (and every other stage race) starts with the men (or women) in the leaders' jersey on the front line in the start town.  Sorry Nairo Quintana (Movistar) fans, he didn't not quite make the picture frame.  Peter Sagan (Tinkoff Saxo) in the Maillot Vert seemed to be in a scheming conversation with Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) behind the back of the Maillot Jaune, Chris Froome (Team Sky).  With today starting up a mountain from the very beginning, it was going to be a long hard day.  Perhaps Rodriguez was making an alliance to help Sagan up the mountain in exchange for allowing him to claim the first of the King of the Mountain points on offer today.  Stage 19 will be one of the shortest stage of the 102nd Tour de France, but it has four categorized climbs all Cat 2 or higher.

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, www.richesonart.com.  They are a small family run art supply business in the mid-west of the United States.  This painting is available, along with all of my cycling art, at my artist website, www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for only $60 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is an original painting, so once it has sold, it is gone.  I would recommend not delaying.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2584676-125-210122/Painting.html#.VbKYN_lViko

Tour Stage Eighteen: Ready to Suffer

The peloton lined up for the start today knowing that they were going to suffer mightily in the coming stage.  The Tour has climbed the Alpe d'Huez before, it has even done it twice during one running of the Tour, but it has never done what the peloton will be doing today.  The warriors of two wheels will be making the fabled climb of 21 switchbacks twice in one stage finishing on the top of the queen of the Alps.  I can only imagine what this group was feeling before they got underway.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that was created using cake watercolors, brushes and paper from www.richesonart.com   In addition, this work is available for purchase at my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the 100th Tour de France.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2183177---186227/Painting.html#.Ue9SnsvD_IU