Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 3: Tight Squeeze

It can be complete chaos in the caravan following the peloton.  It is further compounded when riders are working their way back through the vehicles in an effort to rejoin the group ahead.  As he snaked his way through town, Gregor Mulhberger (Movistar) had a close call with the Soudal-Quick Step team car.  Both he and the car were trying to navigate the roundabout and all of its traffic islands and signposts.  They came quite close to crashing each other as the road narrowed.  Fortunately, they did not.  The bright yellow rectangle is one of the pads that are set out by the race organizers. hat both minimize damage to the riders and help to alert them at the same time.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"Tight Squeeze CdD25-12" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Tours: Bunny Hop

Wet roads, travel circles and speed are not the best recipe for safe riding.  Fortunately for Benoit Cosnefroy (Ag2r La Mondiale) he was able to stay upright when his teammate leaned into him on the slippery corner.  In fact Cosnefroy was able to help his teammate remain upright, although the bumping made it necessary for the Frenchman to hop over the curb to avoid crashing himself.  The duo were on the front of the peloton, so it could have been much worse save for the bike handling skills on display.  Unlike us average riders, these guys race for 10,000 kilometers a year and train for nearly as many kilometers.  Their bikes are as familiar as our own feet are.

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/Other-Cycling-Art/3047802-40-206768/PaintingBunny-Hop-PT-3.html

Tour, Stage 4: Fair Warning

It is a pun, get it?  The gendarme is warning the break away of the dangerous piece of "traffic furniture" in the middle of the road.  Already, one of these traffic islands has damaged the hopes of one of the main GC riders, Alberto Contador (Tinkoff).  After the break and the peloton are safely pass this obstacle, the gendarme will jump back on his motorcycle, work is way back to the front of the race and find the next hazard on the road.  There has been difficulties with motorcycles speeding through the peloton, but never with one of those of the Gendarmerie.  I am sure all of the racers appreciate the waving yellow flag and blowing whistle that helps to keep them safe on the road.  The four escapees still include, Oliver Naesen (IAM Cycling) who will come away with the most aggressive rider award on the day, Markel Irizar (Trek-Segafredo), Alexis Gougeard (Ag2r La Mondiale) and Andreas Shillinger (Bora-Argon 18).

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.

Buy this painting here:  http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2818699-24-224974/PaintingFair%20Warning%20TdF24-Greig-Leach.html#.V3v7c7grLIU

Tour de France Stage 5: Fair Warning

The Gendarmes that travel with the Tour de France work tirelessly to protect the members of the peloton from many different dangers along the road.  They will race ahead of the entire race then stop their motorcycles out of the way.  Then they stand fearlessly in front of a dangerous piece of traffic "furniture" waving a bright yellow pennant, blowing ceaselessly on their whistles to warn the peloton.  After everyone has passed, they will remount and work their way back through the peloton to warn of the next danger up the road.   In my continuing list of things I have never seen before, earlier, one of the Gendarmes had crashed his bike into an embankment.  He chose to crash rather then risk causing even one of the competitors to fall.  So chapeau to the men in their bright blue jumpsuits!

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.  They are a small family run art supply company located in north central United States with incredible high quality supplies for artists and crafters alike.  You can learn more at their website, www.richesonart.com.  This work, and all of my cycling artwork, is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To buy this particular painting for only $60 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Remember, this is a one of a kind original, so don't delay, once this painting is gone, it is gone!

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2578254---210122/Painting.html#.VZ3GtflViko