Greig Leach

The 102nd Tour de France got underway today with a short individual time trial through the streets of Utrecht in the Netherlands. Daniel Teklehaimanet (MTN-Qhubeka) was the first of 190 men to ride down the ramp and out into the opening stage of the Tour. Teklemhaimanet is the first Eritrean to race the Tour and this is his team's first opportunity to ride in the race around France. With his departure from the start gate, today is the first time that the Tour has ever started in the Dutch city of Utrecht. So this painting does represent quite a few firsts for the Tour and for my project of painting every stage of the race every day.