Tour de France, Stage 18: Making the Polka Dots His

Even though Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) has been wearing the Maillot a Pois, he has only had it on loan from Chris Froome (Team Sky).  With Froome's ownership of the Maillot Jaune, the wearing of the next jersey in importance goes to the rider in second position in that competition.  Today, Rodriguez put himself into the early break going over the early climb of the Col Bayard first with Serge Pauwels (MTN-Qhubeka) just off of his wheel.  With the five points on offer, the Polka Dot Jersey of the King of the Mountains was now his by rights (on the road).  It does remain to be seen if he can out score any off the others in the break with him.  The second stage in the Alps still has 180 kilometers and six more categorized climbs to go.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Co., www.richesonart.com.  They are a small US based family run art supply company that has really wonderful products for art making.  This painting, and all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for only $60 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Be aware that because it is an original one of a kind work, once it has sold it is gone. So, don't delay.

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Tour de France, Stage 17: Riding One Two

With the first full day in the Alps done and dusted, it was Chris Froome (Team Sky) and Nairo Quintana (Movistar) who came to the line apparently stuck together.  The pair in the Maillot Jaune and the Maillot Blanc had dropped all of the other GC contenders and race to the line atop Pra Loup together.  Each had had a final dig at the other, but neither was able to shake free.  Nairo can be contended that he has put time into all of the others.  Froome, of course, can tick off one more day successfully defending the Yellow Jersey on the way to Paris.  With three more days to go in the high mountains, it still remains to be seen if Froome will place a pedal wrong.  If he does, I am sure Quintana will be there to pounce.

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 company that really does have excellent art making materials.  This painting, and in fact all of my cycling artwork, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for only $60 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Don't delay however, since it is an original painting, when it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2583577-115-210122/Painting.html#.VbAWXflVikp

Tour de France, Stage 17: An Incredible Effort

Perhaps now the peloton will recognize that Simon Greschke (Giant Alpecin) can climb.  With a massive solo effort and a furious descent up and down the Col d'Allos, Greschke claimed the first stage win for Giant-Alpecin atop the Pra Loup.  His team had been counting on their sprinter, John Degenkolb to bring home the victories in the sprinter's stages, but instead it was Degenkolb who helped Greschke in the early break that allowed for the stage victory.  It was an incredible effort to get up the final climb, so much so that race organizers had people station to catch riders as the crossed the line in total exhaustion.

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 company that really does have excellent art making materials.  This painting, and in fact all of my cycling artwork, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for only $60 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Don't delay however, since it is an original painting, when it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2583577-115-210122/Painting.html#.VbAUY_lViko

Tour de France, Stage 17: One Kilometer, One to Catch

As Andrew Talansky (Cannondale Garmin) flew under the red kite of one kilometer left to race, he still had one more man to catch in order to take the stage.  Talansky had put in a blistering descent down the Col d'Allos to come within a minute and a half of the Giant-Alpecin man, Simon Geschke.  With just a kilometer of road left to go, he was praying he could close the final forty seconds and claim a stage for his team.  With the abandonment of his countryman, Tejay van Garderen (BMC),Talansky was hoping to bring some joy to the American fans from the United States.  Most likely, there just isn't enough road left to race for him to catch the fleeing German.

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 company that really does have excellent art making materials.  This painting, and in fact all of my cycling artwork, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for only $60 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Don't delay however, since it is an original painting, when it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2583574-113-210122/Painting.html#.VbASavlVikr

Tour de France, Stage 17: Attacking Them All

The first foray into the Alps brought out the aggression in the General Classification battle.  First there was the large break up the road that contained teammates to all of the men that still hold aspirations to winning in Paris, even Team Sky had two men in the break as a possible bridge towards the end of the day.  After Vincenzo Niblai (Astana) had followed the attacks of first Alberto Contador (Tinkoff Saxo) and then Alejandro Valverde (Movistar), Chris Froome and Team Sky pulled them all back into the fold.  Next it was Nairo Quintana (Movistar) in the Maillot Blanc and sitting in second place who launched the next attack up the Col d'Allos.  This attack finally left Froome isolated, as well as Contador and Nibali.  The moves today prove that no one is conceding the Tour to the 2013 Tour winner, Chris Froome.

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 company that really does have excellent art making materials.  This painting, and in fact all of my cycling artwork, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for only $60 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Don't delay however, since it is an original painting, when it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2583574-113-210122/Painting.html#.VbAQgflViko

Tour de France, Stage 17: Cresting the Top of the Tour

Thibaut Pinot (FDJ) has ridden himself back into form and into the Tour as the race has progressed.  Today he was in the breakaway yet again.  He left his compatriots behind and went over the highest point of the 102nd Tour de France riding second on the road.  Unfortunately for the Frenchman who finished third overall last year, he is not the skilled descender of the rider ahead or those that are chasing him from behind.  Pinot is looking at a fast, narrow, technical descent off of the Col d'Allos that leads right into the final ascent of the day.

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 company that really does have excellent art making materials.  This painting, and in fact all of my cycling artwork, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for only $60 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Don't delay however, since it is an original painting, when it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2583533-111-210122/Painting.html#.VbAGdflVikp

Tour de France, Stage 17: Climbing to the Top of the Tour

Not wanting to make his stint early on in the Maillot a Pois seemed like a fluke, the darling of Eritrea, Daniel Teklehaimanet (MTN-Qhubeka) went out from the early break in pursuit of Simon Geschke (Giant Alpecin) and more points in the King of the Mountains competition.  With Chris Froome (Team Sky) holding both the Maillot Jaune and the Maillot a Pois, it would be quite a stretch for Teklehaimanet to reclaim the Polka Dots of the King of the Mountains.  The side race for all of  MTN-Qhubeka is the Team Competition where his wildcard team now sits second overall just twenty minutes behind Movistar.  The Team Competition is decided by the combined times of the top three riders for each team.  Movistar started the day with riders sitting in second and fourth overall, so MTN-Qhubeka will have a chore closing the gap.

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 company that really does have excellent art making materials.  This painting, and in fact all of my cycling artwork, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for only $60 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Don't delay however, since it is an original painting, when it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2583533-111-210122/Painting.html#.VbAEsvlViko

Tour de France, Stage 17: Going It Alone

While he is not known for being a great climber, Simon Geschke (Giant Alpecin) attack his fellow breakaway companions on the big climb up the Col d'Allos.  Perhaps because of his lack of a reputation as a climber, the German was allowed to ride away as the Tour climbed up to the highest point of this year's race.  I am amused at how much Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen make of bearded riders.  They seemed to take it as a personal affront to the aesthetics of cycling.  I am sure that the drag factor of the furry face was not much of a factor on the effort of climbing the Alps.

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 company that really does have excellent art making materials.  This painting, and in fact all of my cycling artwork, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for only $60 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Don't delay however, since it is an original painting, when it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2582774-105-210122/Painting.html#.VbACPflVikr

Tour de France, Stage 17: Broken Hearted

Tejay van Garderen (BMC) had been looking forward to the four days in the Alps.  He is a rider who's climbing abilities suit the Alpine terrain and one who goes better and better as the Tour progresses.  Whoever today, it Alpine mountains were not his friends.  With the group containing the Maillot Jaune got back to racing with the attacks from Alberto Contador (Tinkoff Saxo), van Garderen was dropped yet again, unable to hold the wheels of even the Groupetto.  As the American felt his Tour slip away, his team director stopped the team car and came to talk with his team leader.  Amongst tears, hugs and great frustration, Tejay van Garderen not only abandon his hopes of winning the 102nd Tour de France, he climbed into the team car abandoning the Tour all together.

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 company that really does have excellent art making materials.  This painting, and in fact all of my cycling artwork, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for only $60 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Don't delay however, since it is an original painting, when it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2582774-105-210122/Painting.html#.VbAAUPlVikr

Tour de France, Stage 17: Catching Them Napping

Alberto Contador (Tinkoff Saxo) stated before the start of the stage that he wasn't in the Tour to try for a podium finish, he was here to win in Paris.  Today he took it to Chris Froome and Team Sky with a vicious attack on the Col de la Colle Saint Michel.  He got quite the jump on the other GC contenders with only Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) able to go with Contador's acceleration.  Team Sky has perfected the ability to stay calm when these attacks go and slowly pull back the escapees one by one.

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 company that really does have excellent art making materials.  This painting, and in fact all of my cycling artwork, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for only $60 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Don't delay however, since it is an original painting, when it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2582774-105-210122/Painting.html#.Va_9xvlVikr