Paris Nice, Final Stage: Every Last Ounce

Maximilian Schachmann (Bora-Hansgrohe) had to dig very, very deep to keep Tiesj Benoot (Sunweb) from taking the Maillot Jaune off of his shoulders.  He succeed in that effort holding onto the final Yellow Jersey by 18 seconds.  The effort cost him every last ounce of his strenght, even too exhausted  to get off of the bike at the end of the stage.  Schachmann becomes only the tenth rider in the 78 year history of Paris Nice to hold the lead from start to finish.  Perhaps it would have been different with one more stage, but I doubt it.

This will be the final painting of what may be the last race of the season.  The Pandemic has stopped all racing officially until mid April, but it is doubtful that the world will be in a strong enough place to risk bring hundreds if not thousands of racers, teams and cycling fans back together.  I have read that the Tour de France is looking at ways to keep the roads fan free as the finishing areas were made to be here.  I can't see how that would be possible.  One of professional cycling's greastest strengths is that it is on open roads, free to watch wherever fans and the course take it.  I hope this all ends soon, and our lives regain a sense of normal, but that is months away.  So I am sure the Giro d'Italia is gone for 2020, I will presume so too is the Tour de France, and as bad as things are in Spain I can't image there will be a Veulta d'Espania either.

Stay safe, stay healthy and stay home!

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3492767-37-272742/Painting/every-last-ounce-pn20-37.html

Paris Nice, Final Stage: All He Can Do

Tiesj Benoot (Sunweb) did all he could do to gain time on the Maillot Juane of Maximilian Schachmann (Bora-Hansgrohe).  Alas, he just ran out of road.  The German National Champion chased hard enough to keep Benoot close.  At the end of the day, Benoot closed the gap to just 18 seconds, including a six second time bonus for taking second on the stage.  The second place did give him the lead in the competition for the Maillot Vert, the most consistent sprinter.  Perhaps one more stage might have afforded him the opportunity, but this Corona Virus Pandemic cut Paris Nice's final stage off the race.  Meaning this is it for the race, and for racing for the foreseeable future.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3492756-36-272742/Painting/all-he-can-do-pn20.html

Paris Nice, Final Stage: Who Is Going Now?

With four kilometers left of the 2020 Paris Nice (and perhaps the entire cycling season), Richie Porte (Trek-Segafredo) looked over to see who was going on the attack.  He quickly decided he didn't need to chase Nairo Quintana (Arkea Samsic) who was behind the Maillot Jaune (and his teammate, Vincenzo Nibali) by two minutes.  Given the strength of the Colombian climber, it was little chance any one would see him until the end of the race.  Spoiler alert:  It was Quintana who won the final stage of Paris Nice.  It makes one wonder what would have happen had he not crashed, losing time in stage 2.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3492514-35-272742/Painting/who-is-going-now-pn20-35.html

Paris Nice, Final Stage: On the Offensive

With virtually no chance of taking over the Maillot Juane, Romain Bardet (Ag2r La Mondiale) jumped clear of the reduced peloton of the Yellow and Green Jerseys in a bid to win the stage.  Those behind didn't feel the need to go after this move.  Instead they would just keep grinding and hope the Frenchman would fad before the top of the climb (and the end of Paris Nice).

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3492489-34-272742/Painting/on-the-offensive-pn20-34.html

Paris Nice, Final Stage: What He Does

Thomas De Gendt (Lotto Soudal) took the opportunity of the final climb of Paris Nice, the Valdeblore la Colmaine to do one of the things he does best.  While De Gendt is great at chasing down break aways, or he can be seen hanging around the back of the peloton, what he is most known for is going off on long solo break aways.  Having dropped the rest of his former break away companions, he now had over a minute on the chasing reduced peloton with just fourteen kilometers of climbing left to race.  Could he be about to take another stage victory?

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3492476-33-272742/Painting/what-he-does-pn20-33.html

Paris Nice, Final Stage: Taking on the Race

It was this group of five were taking the race on.  With today having been set as the final stage, it was a now or never situation.  In the middle is Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-Quick Step) who at this point is the Maillot Jaune Virtuale.  With another 36 K to race, the final 20 being a climb up to Valdeblore la Colmaine, it remains to be seen if the peloton was going to let them all stay away.  Joining the rather popular Frenchman were, Aurelien Paret Peintre (Ag2r La Mondiale), Alberto Bettiol (EF Pro Cycling), Thomas De Gendt (Lotto Soudal) and leading the group the Maillot a Pois of Nicolas Edet (Cofidis).  Edet clearly got back into the group after his mechanical.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3492469-32-272742/Painting/taking-on-the-race-pn20-32.html

Paris Nice, Final Stage: Can You Fix It?

While Nicolas Edet (Cofidis) had already done enough to ensure his Maillot a Pois would be his for this year's slightly shorten Paris Nice.  He was still doing all he could to add KOM points and to win the final stage of the race.  With 44 kilometers left to race, he was frustrated to have a mechanical.  While hoping to get it fixed without stopping, that wasn't possible.  After a quick minor repair he was quickly back onto the six man break up the road.  I am always amazed at the race mechanics that hang out of the rear window of a team car trying to repair a fast moving bicycle from a fast moving car on a mountain road.  At least this repair was done while climbing, so a bit lower speeds.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3492457-31-272742/Painting/can-you-fix-it-pn20-31.html

Paris Nice, Stage 6: Finishing the Plan

I'm not sure I will get use to the image of a stage winner saluting an empty roadside.  None the less, Tiesj Benoot (Sunweb) still took a bow for the race photographers.  Benoot had capitalized on the hard work of his teammates all stage long.  He had started the day in third by 1'10" but now is in second, trailing Schachmann by less than a half minute.  With just one stage left to race, the mountain top finish will be a wild scramble to get up the mountain first.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3491286-30-272742/Painting/finishing-the-plan-pn20-30.html

Paris Nice, Stage 6: Bad Luck with One Kilometer

The way I create these works is to first to the line drawing in ink.  Then write the titles, finally laying in the colors.  Having done the drawing, I think I stumbled over the title.  But liking the drawing I just kept going with this image.  Inside of the final three kilometers Max Schachmann (Bora-Hansgrohe) over cooked into a corner and went down against the fence barriers.  He quickly got back up on his bike and under way, but he had  lost the wheels of the group he had been with.  It will be up to the commissares to decide if he will get the same time as them, or the time he actually crosses the line.  Either way, he will still be in the Maillot Jaune.  It is just a question of what the time gaps will be going into the final stage of the race.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3491280-29-272742/Painting/bad-luck-with-one-kilometer-pn20-29.html

Paris Nice, Stage 6: The Next to Go

With Soren Kragh Andersen (Sunweb) back into the peloton, it was Rudy Molard (Groupama-FDJ) who launched the next attack.  Just up the road was the lone figure of Andersen's teammate, Tiesj Benoot.  You can see Nairo Quintana (Arkea-Samsic) trying to decide if he should follow Molard's attack or keep his eye (and energy) on those who are closer to him in the general classification.  With just 12 kilometers to the end of the stage, it wasn't that likely that enough time could be put into the Maillot Jaune to make a true difference.  Conversely, with only one more stage to race, there wasn't much of a choice other than to try.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3491266-28-272742/Painting/the-next-to-go-pn20-28.html

Paris Nice, Stage 6: Clearing the Gap

It is never an encouraging sign for the break away when the commissares cars and neutral service pass you.  When the chaser are within a minute behind the vehicles are cleared from the gap so those behind can't draft of the cars inorder to close more quickly on those ahead.  While Nicolas Edet (Cofidis) had already achieved his objective of taking over the King of the Mountian lead, he, nor Romain Bardet (Ag2r La Mondiale) or Soren Kragh Andersen (Sunweb) could now hold out much hope that they would be vying for stage honors.  Just ahead of them are the signs denoting that it is 25 kilometers to the finish of the stage in Apt.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3491257-27-272742/Painting/clearing-the-gap-pn20-27.html

Paris Nice, Stage 6: Into Virtual Yellow

Team Sunweb seemed to have a strong plan in place that would get them the Maillot Jaune and the stage win.  First was Soren Kragh Andersen (Sunweb) to go on the attack.  As he worked to catch those ahead he gained enough time on the peloton and Max Schachmann (Bora-Hansgrohe) to be in the virtual Yellow Jersey.  To define that phrase: if the race were to stop at this moment the virtual Yellow would be the race leader.  With 36 kilometers to race, there is no quarauntee that he will be still in the virtual lead at the finish line in Apt.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3491251-26-272742/Painting/into-virtual-yellow-pn20-26.html

Paris Nice, Stage 6: Pulling Away

This duo of Nicolas Edet (Cofidis) and Romain Bardet (Ag2r-La Mondiale) rode off the front of the small break.  Each were after the stage win, but if Edet were to get over the next climb first (or second) he would take over the lead in the King of the Mountains competition.  All day long Edet had been getting over each climb first, thus overtaking the point total of Jonathan Hivert (Total Direct Energie) who has worn the Maillot a Pois since stage one. With just ten kilometers to that climb, it was looking like the jersey would be changing hands at the end of the day in Apt.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3491235-25-272742/Painting/pulling-away-pn20-25.html

Paris Nice, Stage 6: Time to Chat

The big news at the start of today's stage was that the race would end one day early.  Organizers decided to cancel the stage through the streets of Nice to help curtail the spread of the Corona Virus.  Additional the Bahrain McLaren team decided to leave the race and Tejay van Garderen pulled out in order to be able to get home before the banning of flights out of Europe being allowed to land in the USA.  These are strange time.  I am painting this race about ten days behind the actual racing, so I know what these guys are only guessing at.  All that being said, I will now go back to writing about this race in an "as live" manner.

Today's stage was rather hilly and marks the penultimate stage of Paris Nice now.  While the Maillot Jaune has over a minute on his nearest competitor the other GC positions are all very close together.  This is the back of the early break.  Stefan Kung (Groupama-FDJ) took the chance to chat with Winner Anacona (Arkea-Samsic) as he rolled to the back of the group after his turn on the front.  Just ahead, Anthony Perez (Cofidis) recovered a bit before it was his turn to do his part on the front of the group.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3491230-24-272742/Painting/time-to-chat-pn20-24.html

Paris Nice, Stage 5: Showing His Colors

Using the last little draft from the fading Jan Tratnik (Bahrain McLaren) from the break away, it was Niccolo Bonifazio (Total Direct Energie) who held out his jersey to make sure everyone knew which team won stage 5.  Bonifazio out sprinted the very popular Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) - as well as the rest of the peloton.  The wild card team is having quite the race having won a stage and hold one of the leaders' jerseys, the Maillot a Pois.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3490114-23-272742/Painting/showing-his-colors-pn20-22.html

Paris Nice, Stage 5: Persisting

While two of their erstwhile break away companions had already surrendered to the near inevitablity of being caught by the peloton, Jan Tratnik (Bahrain McLaren) and Alexis Gougeard (Ag2r-La Mondiale) persisted with their effort.  I enjoyed the pairing of these two paintings and their titles.  It looked like Gougeard was struggling to hold the wheel of Tratnik as I painted this image.  Sure enough, he lost the wheel of the Slovenian moments later.  Tratnik fought valiantly to win the stage.  However, he was caught with just 75 meters left to the line by the sprinters dash for what will most likely be their last chance to claim a stage in the 2020 Paris Nice.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3490112-22-272742/Painting/persisting-pn20-21.html

Paris Nice, Stage 5: Conceding

Ryan Mullen (Trek-Segafredo) was starting to dangle off the back of the early four man break.  When the band finally snapped, he was joined by Anthony Turgis (Total Direct Energie).  The two fist bumped their solidarity as they drifted back to the peloton with 19 kilometers left to race.  They thought it best to concede the effort of the break was doomed and begin cooling down as they tucked back into the peloton for the end of the stage.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3490111-21-272742/Painting/conceding-pn20-21.html

Paris Nice, Stage 5: Holding Their Own

This group of four containing Anthony Turgis (Total Direct Energie), Ryan Mullen (Trek-Segafredo), Jan Tratnik (Bahrain McLaren) and Alexis Gougeard (Ag2r-La Mondiale) were doing a surprisingly good job of holding off the peloton.  They had built a lead of seven minutes but with 50 kilometers left to race the peloton seemed unable to get any closer than two and a half minutes.  That doesn't work for success with the normal formula of one minutes advantage for every ten kilometers left to race, but conversely, the peloton wasn't getting any closer either.  What was in their favor is Mullen is the current Irish time trial national champion, and the others had done rather well in yesterday's ITT.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3490109-20-272742/Painting/holding-their-own-pn20-20.html

Paris Nice, Stage 5: Little Help?

Some tradition remain intact despite their minimal need.  With two way radio communication back to his team car, Tim Delercq (Deceuninck-Quick Step) had already told his director sportif what help he needed.  Instead, the raised arm is to let the commissare in the follow car know that his team car will be coming up to provide him with assistance.  I'm not sure what was wrong, but with another 63 kilometers to race, and the peloton literally just around the corner, he had no worries about rejoining well before the end of the stage.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3490106-19-272742/Painting/little-help-pn20-19.html

Paris Nice, Stage 4: Building on His Advantage

It has been said that the Maillot Jaune gives you wings.  Max Schachmann (Bora-Hansgrohe) was certainly flying around the 15 kilometer individual time trial course today.  As the last to go, he knew the time splits of everyone that had gone before (a distinct advantage give the leader of the race).  While the German wasn't able to win the stage, he only missed the mark by two seconds, he was able to build on his lead over all of the pre-race favorites.  It is beginning to look like he will carry yellow all of the way to Nice.  And then there is the possiblity that the race will be stopped at any point along the route for fear of the spread of the Corona Virus.  It happened during the Tour of the United Emirates, where the race was called with two stages left to race.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3489821-18-272742/Painting/building-on-his-advantage-pn20-18.html

Paris Nice, Stage 4: By Less Than a Second

Here is the problem trying to paint time trials live, you never know the final placing until the last rider finishes.  As the Danish National Time Trial Champion, Kasper Asgreen (Deceuninck-Quick Step) crossed the line, he took over the lead by less than one second.  The previous best time of Thomas DeGendt (Sunweb) had stood for the lion share of the broadcast, so I was sure this was going to be the painting of the stage winner.  But not more than ten minutes later his countryman, Soren Kragh Andersen (Sunweb) better his time by 12 seconds.  In the end this ride was strong enough to take third on the stage.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3489818-17-272742/Painting/by-less-than-a-second-pn20-17.html

Paris Nice, Stage 4: Cheered All the Way

Romain Bardet (AG2R-La Mondiale) is not exactly known for his time trialing abilities, but today the crowds gave him lots of encouragement all along the course.  This image might be why we are stuck with no racing until perhaps the Tour de France.  With the fear of spreading the Corona Virus the Paris Nice race organizers have already closed the finish line to spectators.  But cycling is the one sport that is mainly contested on the open road with free access to fans.  It is impossible to stop fans from gathering at the points on course they think will be most exciting to see their favorites ride by.  I am sure Bardet appreciated their support all the same.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3489813-16-272742/Painting/cheered-along-the-way-pn20-16.html

Paris Nice, Stage 4: Against the Clock

As the title would imply, this is the individual time trial, the race against the clock.  This is Daminano Caruso (Bahrain McLaren), who's name always makes me thing of the opera, laying out a great early run in his attack of the 15 kilometer course.  Painting a time trial is always a challenge.  I have no idea who will go out the winner until everyone has gone.  So I missed both the early leader (as did the broadcast) and the guy who took the stage, Soren Kragh Andersen (Sunweb).  So it goes.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3489806-15-272742/Painting/against-the-clock-pn20-15.html

Paris Nice, Stage 3: A Just Reward

A little background to explain the title; Ivan Garcia (Bahrain McLaren) has been spending the last two days on the front of the peloton setting up the race for his teammates.  So, today, it was his turn to race for himself.  And he did it in spades, out sprinting the seven time winner of the Maillot Vert of the Tour de France, Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe).  Rounding out the top three was Andrea Pasqualon of one of the wild card teams, Circus-Wanty Gobert.  Ultimately, the finale didn't change the standings on the GC or any of the other jersey competitions.  Again the empty stands didn't quench the excitement of the sprint or the value of Garcia's victory.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3488948-14-272742/Painting/a-just-reward-pn20-14.html

Paris Nice, Stage 3: Coming Back

Bryan Coquard (B&B Hotels-Vital Concepts) had a poorly timed mechanical with just nine kilometers left to race to La Chatre.  He had the help of his teammate, Frederik Backaert, to pace him back through the race caravan and back into the rear of the peloton.  Almost as soon as he joined the the lead group he was involved in a crash that left him on the side of the road.  While he wasn't seriously injured, it did ruin his chances to vie on the stage win.  Not his best day on the bike, although probably not his worst either.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3488947-13-272742/Painting/coming-back-pn20-13.html

Paris Nice, Stage 3: Covering the Peloton

The best way to get the images of the race that we all enjoy is to be in the middle of the race on the back of a motorcycle.  Here as the peloton spreads across the narrow road, a photographer turns around to shoot the group as they chase down the lone escapee.  I have seen this particular helmet over the years shooting races.  Does anyone know who wears a red helmet with a white stripe and a white star?  The drivers must be very skilled to stay out of the way of the race and counter balance the squirming photographers and videographers that are their charges.

I once tried to see if I could paint the races this way.  Silly I know, but it would have been cool.  But the weather of this race thus far would have made it impossible let alone the infeasiblitly of painting on a moving motorcycle on back country roads.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3488946-12-272742/Painting/covering-the-peloton-pn20-12.html

Paris Nice, Stage 3: Staying Upright

I don't thing I have seen such narrow roads on flat stages before!  With everyone trying to stay at or get to the front of the peloton there just isn't enough road.  Already a few had been off into the ditches, fortunately for Patrick Konrad (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Victor Campenaerts (NTT Pro Cycling) they were both able to remain upright despite the soft mud and grass just off of the asphalt.  Not only is fitness a by-product of hours and hours on the bike, but so is being completely one with the machine.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3488940-11-272742/Painting/staying-upright-pn20-11.html

Paris Nice, Stage 3: With Just His Team Car

Tom Devriendt (Circus-Wanty Gobert) would surely have liked some company on two wheels for his long solo breakaway. Instead he had only his sports director and mechanic to keep him company for the nearly 200 kilometers that he rode alone off the front of the peloton.  There is no guarantee when one goes off the front to start a break that anyone will join the effort.  So when Devriendt has spent the energy to get away, there is nothing for it but to keep on with the effort.  There is a slim chance he will succeed with stage win, but he has even less of a chance inside the peloton.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3488925-10-272742/Painting/with-just-his-team-car-pn20-10.html

Paris Nice, Stage 2: Kicking into Overdrive

It look like the stage was going to belong to Pascal Ackerman (Bora-Hansgrohe) then a very patient Giacomo Nizzolo (NTT Pro Cycling) found his over drive and sprinted away from the bunch.  Behind the Italian, it was Nils Politt (Israel Start Up Nation) and Alex Kirsch (Trek-Segafredo) seemingly watching the stage slip through their fingered gloves.  You might notice that there isn't a big crowd of cheering cycling fans along the barriers.  With the threat of the coronavirus growing in Europe, large gatherings are now banned in France so the finish line was barred to spectators.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3488571-9-272742/Painting/kicking-into-overdrive-pn20-9.html

Paris Nice, Stage 2: Riding Away

The crosswinds were playing their part again today.  This group had managed to drop a number of the big names (with big expectations) of this year's Paris Nice.  They were building a 20 second lead on a number of contenders.  Leading the push to pull away were Mads Schmidt (Israel Start Up Nation) and Mads Pedersen, current World Champion (Trek-Segafredo).  Some of those benefitting from their efforts were the race leader Max Schachmann (Bora-Hansgrohe), Nils Politt (Israel Start Up Nation) and Segio Higuita (EF Pro Cycling).  While still cold, it was nice to see the sun peak out and cast some shadows on the race.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3488566-8-272742/Painting/riding-away-pn20-8.html

Paris Nice, Stage 2: Setting Up Schachmann

You know you are in good shape when you have the three time World Champion, Peter Sagan (Bora- Hansgrohe) leading out your sprint for bonus seconds.  Max Schachmann (Bora-Hansgrohe) wasn't leaving anything for granted as he sprinted for a bonus of three seconds in the small town of Puiselet.  Schachmann has taken over the Maillot Jaune on stage one and wasn't about to risk losing it (even if you can barely see it under his rain jacket.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3488560-7-272742/Painting/setting-up-schachmann-pn20-7.html

Paris Nice, Stage 2: The End Is Nigh

While some of us may be feeling that the end is nigh on the grander scale, for these purposes it is simply the end of Jonathan Hivert (Total Direct Energie) and Jose Manuel Diaz's (Nippo Delko Provence) break away.  The attempt was not in vain for Hivert, he added three more climbs maximum points to his total in the King of the Mountains campaign.  With today's effort, he will be wearing the Maillot a Pois for at least two more days.  After 100 kilometers off the front, it was time for the peloton to set things up for the sprinters.  Now it is only the crosswinds that can upset the fastmen's plans.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3488555-6-272742/Painting/the-end-is-nigh-pn20-6.html

Paris Nice, Stage 1: Over the Top

Frequent readers will know that I love a title that can have more than one meaning.  This one is another of those titles.  Maximilian Schachmann (Bora-Hansgrohe) had come over the top of Dylan Teuns (Bahrain-McLaren), as well as Tiesj Benoot (Sunweb) and the fading Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-Quick Step), to take the win in Plaiser.  The slight climb to the finish required Schachmann to have the legs to literally come over the top of the climb to claim the first Yellow Jersey of the 2020 Paris Nice.  So the opening GC battle is now Schachmann followed by Dylan Teuns and then Tiesj Benoot.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3487803-5-272742/Painting/over-the-top-pn20-5.html

Paris Nice, Stage 1: Two More Coming

With just four kilometers left to race, Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-Quick Step) looks over his shoulder to see that two more riders have leapt out of the chasing group in an attempt to bridge across to him and Tiesj Benoot (Sunweb).  Leading the charge is the German National Champion, Maximilian Schachmann (Bora-Hansgrohe) with Dylan Teuns (Bahrain McLaren) glued to his wheel.  It will vastly increase the chances of staying off the front to the line, but now one of the four will not be on the podium for the stage.  Conversely, one of the four will be pulling on the Yellow Jersey of race leader in four kilometers' time.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3487782-4-272742/Painting/two-more-coming-pn20-4.html

Paris Nice, Stage 1: Do You Have the Legs?

Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-Quick Step) and Tiesj Benoot (Sunweb) had sprinted it out for the bonus seconds of the first intermediate sprint.  While Alaphilippe had won the sprint, the pair found themselves with a small gap over the other fourteen from the leading group.  The Frenchman convinced Benoot to continue the effort with just 26 kilometers left to race back to Plaiser.  They had opened up thirty seconds on those behind.  A move akin to what but Alaphilippe into Yellow in the 2019 Tour de France.  Will it work again?

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3487779-3-272742/Painting/do-you-have-the-legs-pn20-3.html

Paris Nice, Stage 1: Holding Their Advantage

After the crosswinds had split the peloton apart, this rather elite group of sixteen guys continued to press their advantage over the chasing peloton.  Leading the effort were two domestiques Kasper Asgreen (Deceuninck-Quick Step) and Connor Swift (Arkea Samsic).  One of the favorites to make the split was Nairo Quintana on his new team Arkea Samsic.  With 38 kilometers left to race they were hoping to grow their 30 second advantage.  Those behind were doing all they could to prevent that from happening.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3487773-2-272742/Painting/holding-their-advantage-pn20-2.html

Paris-Nice, Stage 1: Securing Polka Dots

So while I realize this race has already completed, I am painting this as if it were live.  I do not know the finale of the race (or if even raced all of the stages).  As I am now out of work due to Covid-19 and have the time to do this project.  That being said, here goes.

Jonathan Hivert (Total Direct Energie) had been out in the early break of the day and grabbed the first King of the Mountain points on offer.  Later the peloton caught the early break but that didn't stop Hivert from breaking free on the next KOM climb to ensure that he would pull on the Polka Dot Jersey at the end of the first stage of Paris Nice.  The race will come up the Cote de Neauphle le Chateau on more time but regardless of who takes maximum points the jersey is Hivert's.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available though my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 plus shipping. And yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3487769-1-272742/Painting/securing-polka-dots-pn20-1.html