Tour Final Stage: Driving It Home

Mark Cavendish went into today's stage being the first sprinter (or cyclist) to win four times on the Champs Elysees and had ever reason to think today would make it the fifth win in a row.  But the Tour carried four different fast men to the boulevard of Paris, four men each with a powerful lead out and the speed, strength and nerve to be the first to cross the line.  Cavendish may have been hampered by having to chase back on to the peloton after a flat earlier on the cobbles, he may have used to much energy in the chase to have that famous final kick to the line.  In the end it was the new sprinter of Argos-Shimano, Marcel Kittel that grabbed the win, making it four stages for him in the 100th Tour de France.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours by visiting my artist website where you can purchase this painting.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the final sprint of the 100th Tour de France.

This project has been a joy, a challenge and an artistic voyage and I thank you for taking the trip around France (and Corsica) with me.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2184521---186227/Painting.html#.UfKNOcvD_IU

Tour Final Stage: One K to Go

Swinging out of the tunnel under the Place du Concorde and around the "Norwegian Corner" the sprinter's lead out men are at full bore as they race under the final Flame Rouge of the 100th Tour de France.  The red kite denotes just one kilometer left to the finishing line and it is time for the fast men to have their lead out men at full speed if they want to be first across the line.  This Tour has had wonderful sprints with four fast men competing for stage victories.  Peter Sagan easily won the Green Jersey of most consistent sprinter, but only manage a single stage victory on a small mountain stage.  But then the Malliot Vert is for consistency and he was second and third more than any single sprinter won stages.  Today he didn't even make the top three in the mad dash for the line.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours by visiting my artist web site where you can purchase this painting.  While you are there, why not browse around at all of the art that is on offer.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the final kilometer of the final stage of the 100th Tour de France.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2184513---186227/Painting.html#.UfKLiM_D_IU

Tour Final Stage: The Bell Lap

The three men in the breakaway, including surprisingly Alejandro Valverde, are looking over to see the ringing of the bell that signals the start of the final lap of the Champs Elysees and the 100th Tour de France.  The bell lap is used in every circuit race from the small club races that I rode as a teenager to the big tours like the Giro, the Tour de France and the Veulta de Espana.  The Gendarme of France look on as the peloton closes in on the three in front of the press and VIP viewing boxes.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that could be yours by visiting my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the final stage of the 100th Tour de France.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2184503---186227/Painting.html#.UfKKn8_D_IU

This painting is sold.

Tour Final Stage: Lining Up the Trains

With just two laps to go and the break within seconds ahead, the sprinter's teams started to get themselves organized.  They, too, were trying to ride the gutter, the constant shaking and jarring of the cobbles had to be getting to everyone's arms, legs and butts.  So far it is Omega Pharma Quickstep on the front for Mark Cavendish with a bit of Argos-Shimano mixed in for their man Marcel Kittel.  With the kinds of speeds the trains were turning over, the small break was sure to be caught well within the final kilometer.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that could be yours by visiting my artist website where you can purchase this painting.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the final stage of the 100th Tour de France.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2184491---186227/Painting.html#.UfKBhc_D_IU

Tour Final Stage: A Wheel and a Stretch

While his mechanic change the rear wheel with the upmost of speed and the French Champion took the opportunity to stretch out his back before jumping back on for the chase back.  He made quick work of it on the descent down the other side of the boulevard only to flat again.  Some days are just that way, although he did make it back on again to finish the Tour in the peloton.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours by visiting my artist website where you can purchase this painting.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the final day of the 100th Tour de France.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2184489---186227/Painting.html#.UfKAU8_D_IU

Tour Final Stage: Up the Champs Elysees

With the sprinters and their teams ramping up the pace and the exhaustion of twenty one days of full on racing some of those at the back began to have trouble holding on to the tail of the peloton.  Or it could be that they just wanted to savor the spectacular view of the Arc at the top of the rise lined with French flags a carefully trimmed trees.  The green banner first marks the sprint point of the day which will then change out to the final finishing line of the 100th Tour de France.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours by visiting 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%202013/2184487---186227/Painting.html#.UfJ-1s_D_IU

This painting is sold.

Tour Final Stage: Looking for Triumph

The Tour organizers pulled out all of the stops for the 100th Tour de France's finish on the Champs Elysees including having the peloton circumnavigate the L'Arc du Triomphe ten times on their way to the finishing line.  This change made for a faster finale since the riders didn't have to make the sharp U-turn two thirds of the way up the cobbled boulevard, but could stay at full speed like they do when turning around on the Place du Concorde.  Plus it sure made for a stunning backdrop for the speeding peloton.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard and 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 historic final stage of the 100th Tour de France.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2184483---186227/Painting.html#.UfJ998_D_IU

This painting is sold.

Tour Final Stage: In the Gutter

It should come as no surprise that there was a break away on the cobbles of the Champs Elysees and that one of the attackers was Juan Antonio Flecha.  He was joined by the Brit, David Miller, who hoped against hope to surprise the sprinters and claim the victory on the boulevard of Paris.  It was probably a fool's errand with four marquee sprinters all with strong, fast lead out trains ready to bring their man to the finishing line first.  They are riding along the gutter to avoid the rough cobbles of the boulevard of Paris.  Hoping that the granite curb stones are smooth brings a risk of flats and clipping a pedal against the curb.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that can be yours byvisiting my artist website where you can purchase this painting.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to get your piece of the final stage of the 100th Tour de France.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2184481---186227/Painting.html#.UfJ8-c_D_IU

Tour Final Stage: Bringing the Yellow into Paris

Another of the final day traditions is for the team holding the Malliot Jaune to lead the peloton onto the Champs Elysees and around the finishing circuit in a victory lap of honor.   Once this has been completed, it is now time to start racing, and to quote Phil Liggett, "They throw off the sand bags..." and get down to it.  You may be able to tell that the teams of the sprinters are right behind Team Sky ready to bring their fast men first across the finishing line.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that 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 final day of the 100th Tour de France.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202013/2184479---186227/Painting.html#.UfJ7rc_D_IU

Tour Final Stage: Cheers!

Chris Froome and the whole of Team Sky could finally relax on their ride into Paris, all that had to be done is get to the three kilometers to go marker, then he will have won the 100th Tour de France.  Riders always trick out their bikes to reflect their leaders jersey, Froome is riding a bright yellow bike, but this is the first time I have seen a team car get a new paint job, changing all of the bright blue accents to yellow.  Froome and his Director Sportif clinked glasses in a toast to the team's success and the second British Tour de France victory in as many years.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that 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%202013/2184477---186227/Painting.html#.UfJ638_D_IU