Tour, Stage 10: From this Group

As per usual, the large group had too many passengers, so this group jumped away from the others.  Surprisingly, Orica-BikeExchange managed to put all three guys from the large group into this one.  Joining the Orica boys; Luke Durbridge, Daryl Impey and Michael Matthews, were Peter Sagan (Tinkoff), Greg Van Avermaet (BMC), Edvald Boasson Hagen (Dimension Data), and Samuel Dumoulin (Ag2r La Mondiale).  Once this group had established it self, it seemed that the peloton simply surrendered.  They had pulled back three minutes from the original seven minute gap, but then they sat up.  Given the power represented here it was clear that this group was where the stage would be won from.  With three men on Orica-BikeExchange it was their stage to lose.

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.

To buy this painting, follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2822854-68-224974/PaintingFrom%20this%20Group%20TdF68-Greig-Leach.html#.V4V-J7grLIU

Tour Stage 6: Postponing the Inevitable

With two of their break away companions already back in the embrace of the peloton, Luis Mate (Cofidis) looked over at Jerome Pineau (IAM Cycling) and sprinted off on his own.  Initially, Pineau gave chase to the Spaniard, and then thought better of the effort.  Mate may have only been postponing the inevitable catch by the peloton, but he wasn't going to be caught with out a fight.  After all, nothing ventured, nothing gained.  This image also caught my eye with the truly French tree lined road cutting through the wheat and flax fields on the northern flat lands.  This is an original small watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com  In addition, this painting will appear 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 get involved in bringing the art of the 101st Tour de France, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  If you would like to purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  While you are there, why not browse around at all of the cycling art on offer?

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2400102---199992/Painting.html#.U78oec_D_IU