Tour, Stage 3: Out of No Where!

A good sprinter will be able to stay out of sight, and out of the wind, until the very last moment,  Caleb Ewan (Lotto Soudal) is a master of just that skill, and the master of today's sprint in Sisteron.  He came from back in the back in the last two or three hundred meters to fly past the best sprinters in the world.  Taking second was the Irish National Champion, Sam Bennett (Deceuninck-Quick Step), with the both Italian and European Champion, Giacomo Nizzolo (NTT Pro Cycling) taking the last step of the stage podium.  Rounding out the top five were Hugo Hofstetter (Israel Start Up Nation) and Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe).  Sagan's fifth place and the less than ideal finish for Alexander Kristoff was enough for Sagan to claim the Maillot Vert of best sprinter in the Tour.  And honor that he has carried to Paris a record breaking seven times.  Will he be able to make it an eighth 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/Tour-de-France-2020/3688516-23-282744/Painting/out-of-no-where-tdf20-17.html

Tour, Stage 3: Winding It Up

With less than a kilometer to the line in Sisteron, it was time for the leadout trains to try and put their sprinter in the best possible position.  At this point it is Team Sunweb on the front with Ag2r La Mondiale and NTT Pro Cycling mixing it up with the boys in white and black.  Oddly, none of these teams really figured in the finale.

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/Tour-de-France-2020/3688501-22-282744/Painting/winding-it-up-tdf20-16.html

Tour, Stage 3: More Points Everyday

Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) knows more than anyone that it takes gaining points whenever possible to win the Maillot Vert in Paris.  After all, he has won more Sprinter's Jersey than any other cyclists in history (he has also won more World Championships than any other male cyclist).  so it was that he took out the intermediate sprint in Digne Les Bains with the help of his leadout man, Daniel Oss.  On his wheels were Nicolo Bonifazio (Total Direct Energie) and Alexander Kristoff (UAE Team Emirates) the current wearer of the Green Jersey.  With Kristoff not sticking close to Sagan, he left the door open for Sagan to take the jersey from the Norwegian's shoulders in Sisteron.

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/Tour-de-France-2020/3688470-21-282744/Painting/more-points-everyday-tdf20-15.html

Tour, Stage 3: On His Own Now

I am not sure what the arguement between, Cosnefroy, Perez and Jerome Cousin (Total Direct Energie) was all about.  It looked like all were convinced the other wasn't doing their fair share of the work to make the break away succeed.  Whatever it was, it ended with Cosnefroy giving Cousin a prodding push up the road.  At that point, it look like is reaction was, "Fine, I am off on my own then."  He worked hard to stay away from the chasing peloton, picking up a couple of KOM points along the way (although not enough to affect the destination of the Maillot a Pois).  He stayed away until the final fifteen kilometers and earned himself the Most Combative designation for 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/Tour-de-France-2020/3688430-20-282744/Painting/on-his-own-now-tdf20-14.html

Tour, Stage 3: Dressing for Success

The rescheduled Tour de France has not provided the best weather thus far.  Today the peloton, and this break away, were in and out of rain showers all day.  This trio was off the front.  Benoit Cosnefroy (Ag2r La Mondiale) started the day in the Maillot a Pois, however he was even on points with the man on the front, Anthony Perez (Cofidis).  Jerome Cousin (Total Direct Energie) just saw a break away forming and jumped with the other two.  Perez got the best of Cosnefroy on the first two climbs of the day to become the leader of the KOM competition virtuale.  Alas, Perez crashed on the descent of the Col de la Faye, apparently into the back of his own team car, and broke his collar bone.  Clearly he was unable to continue with his Tour de France, leaving Cosnefroy in the continued possession of the Polka Dot Jersey of best climber.

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/Tour-de-France-2020/3688322-19-282744/Painting/dressing-for-success-tdf20-13.html

Tour, Stage 2: So Very Close

So very close describes to different aspects of this sprint finish.  One that Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-Quick Step) only beat Marc Hirschi (Sunweb) by not quite a bike length, and two, that the fast closing peloton finished just two seconds behind the gutsy Frenchman.  With the second place bonus seconds atop the final climb, and the eight seconds bonus for the win, Alaphilippe will be the new Maillot Jaune.  The man in second, Hirschi, becomes the new Maillot Blanc, the best place young rider in the Tour.  Just peeking around the shoulder of Hirschi is Adam Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) whose third place and bonus seconds on the stage moved himself in to second place on the General Classification. Yates was the only other rider who was able to go with the two escapees, although he crossed the line on the Promenade des Anglais a second behind the other two, and a second ahead of the Greg Van Avermaet (CCC) led 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/Tour-de-France-2020/3687341-18-282744/Painting/so-very-close-tdf20-12.html

Tour, Stage 2: Alaphilippe Goes!

Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-Quick Step) used the final climb up the Col des Quatre Chemins to launch an attack in hopes of taking the stage, and with it the Maillot Jaune.  As he went, it was only March Hirschi (Sunweb) that was able to go with the Frenchman.  As the pair went, Dylan Van Baarle (Ineos-Gernadiers) and Sep Kuss (Jumbo-Visma) could only stare in wonder, neither able to match the acceleration.  At the top of the climb there were bonus seconds on offer for the first three over the top, seconds that could make a big difference in the hunt for Yellow.

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/Tour-de-France-2020/3687335-17-282744/Painting/alaphilippe-goes-tdf20-11.html

Tour, Stage 2: Just About Back

Daniel Felipe Martinez (EF Pro Cycling) had the misfortune of crashing on the penultimate descent of the day, the Col d'Eze.  With just three teammates up the road, two of whom were the teams GC contenders, it took some time of the only available teammate, Hugh Carthy, to drop back to help out.  The EF duo road incredible hard through the streets of Nice in their successful attempt to rejoin the peloton.  Sadly for Martinez, the effort left him unable to hang on to the peloton on the final climb up the Col des Quatre Chemins.  The lost time most likely ruined his chances of repeating his Maillot Jaune winning Criterium de Dauphine, but the team still has two cards to play in the race for the Yellow Jersey.

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/Tour-de-France-2020/3687333-16-282744/Painting/just-about-back-tdf20-10.html

Tour, Stage 2: Helping Yellow

Vegard Stake Laengen (UAE-Team Emirates) was one of two teammates tasked with helping the Maillot Jaune and their teammate, Alexander Kristoff honor the Jersey.  As a sprinter, he had little hope of being able to keep Yellow after the climbs that were being offered up today.  He could take some comfort in knowing that the only other sprinter riding as well as him was on his wheel.  Elia Vivianni (Cofidis) was proving to have brought his climbing legs to the 2020 Tour.  Well to be fair, Peter Sagan, was up the road, but then he is a bit of a hybrid sprinter.

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/Tour-de-France-2020/3687327-15-282744/Painting/helping-yellow-tdf20-9.html

Tour, Stage 2: Getting Back on Terms

Benoit Cosenfroy (Ag2r La Mondiale) had been the first over the summit of the first climb of the day, the Col de la Colmaine.  However at the start of the next climb, the Col du Turini, he was dropped.  Ever courageous, he didn't resign to his fate, but kept riding at his own pace.  Apparently, he was able to recover and now was riding back up to his former break away companions.  Spoiler alert, his efforts were enough to get second on this climb.  The combined points was enough to earn him the Maillot a Pois, the jersey of the best climber in the Tour.  As a Frenchman, he was hoping to continue the three year run of one of his countrymen taking the King of the Mountain title all of the way to Paris.

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/Tour-de-France-2020/3687321-14-282744/Painting/getting-back-on-terms-tdf20-8.html

Tour, Stage 2: The Devil Wears a Mask

For as long as I have been watching the Tour (and that is decades, almost half a century) I have always enjoyed seeing Didi Senft leaping in the air bedecked as the Devil.  I am in awe of his energy, and his commitment to the cause, as it were.  He can always be found ahead of the big climbs perhaps as a warning to the hell the riders are about to go through.  Today, I caught him leaping for one of the race photographers as the peloton rode by.  UAE-Team Emirates was doing the work of pacing the peloton.  It is considered the responsiblity of the team with the Maillot Jaune to do the work on the front.  It is unlikely Alexander Kristoff will have Yellow after this climbing stage, but traditions must be kept.

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.

This original has sold, but prints are available at the link below.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France-2020/3687316-13-282744/Painting/the-devil-wears-a-mask-tdf20-7.html

Tour, Stage 2: Sprinting for Points

Today is the earliest mountain stage in a Tour de France in decades, fortunately for the sprinters the intermediate sprint came with just sixteen kilometers covered.  It was Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) in his borrowed Maillot Vert sprinting it out with Matteo Trentin (CCC).  Trentin got the better of Sagan, and apparently did so on a rear tire that was going flat.  Right after the sprint he needed a wheel change, and that was the end of his break away efforts.  Watching the two sprinters go at it were the rest of the break being lead by Kasper Asgreen (Deceunick-Quick Step) and Toms Skujins (Trek-Segafredo).  The pair were both the national champions of their respective countries, Denmark and Latvia.  The rest of the break was more interested in the mountains ahead (for their KOM points) and in the chance of pulling one over on 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/Tour-de-France-2020/3687288-12-282744/Painting/sprinting-for-points-tdf20-6.html

La Course, The Throw to the Line

It came down to a well timed bike throw for Lizzie Diegnan (Trek-Segafredo) to claim victory in La Course on the Promenade des Anglais.  (Appropriate, given she is an English licensed racer.)  Her throw gave her the victory over the fast closing Marianne Vos (CCC-Liv).  Seems about right since both women are former UCI Road World Champions.  Watching from the sprint from the third step of the podium was Demi Vollering (Parkhotel Valkenburg).  Unlike the men, this is only a single day race (although it has been a two stage race in the past).  I am excited that the 2022 edition will be a week long race that starts the day after the men's Tour de France.

So naturally, this concludes that Women's race, but I will be painting every stage of the Tour live going forward.  Well, up until I go into surgery on Stage 17.  I will be donating a kidney as my wife gets a kidney transplant.  After I am recovered enough to finish painting the Tour, I will go back to sharing the artwork.

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/Tour-de-France-2020/3687247-11-282744/Painting/the-throw-to-the-line-lc20-6.html

La Course, Off the Climb

Annemiek Van Vleutin (Mitchelton-Scott) leads the chase off of the final climb of La Course.  On her wheel are Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek-Segafredo Women) and Demi Vollering (Parkhotel Valkenburg).  It is a bit unusual for Van Vleutin to be the one chasing in hopes of catching the leaders.  It is her usual style to simple ride away from her competitors as she did in Strade Bianche this season.  However, it is certainly possible that with 23 kilometers to go, that it could still go down as usual.

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/Tour-de-France-2020/3687238-10-282744/Painting/off-the-climb-lc20-5.html

La Course, Not Tactics Needed

Now this should be the break that stays away.  First there are two former World Champions and on who is both current and former, Annemiek Van Vleutin (Mitchelton-Scott), and second they have over a minute on the chasers with just downhill a flat roads to race.  Van Vleutin has spent the last 15 kilometers trying to ride the rest of the six woman break off of her will.  She has not yet succeeded in that effort.  Stuck on the Champion's wheel were Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek-Segafredo Women) and her teammate, Lizzie Deignan.  Close behind the Trek duo was Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon SRAM).  While the crowd sizes are down from normal Tour de France (and La Course) standards, there are still thousands lining the course, and most are doing their best to social distance and wear their masks (as required by French state mandate).

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/Tour-de-France-2020/3687229-9-282744/Painting/no-tactics-needed-lc20-4.html

La Course, Job Done

Having driven the pace for her teammates on the first lap of La Course, Dmma Cecilie Norsgaard (Equipe Paula Ka) let the peloton slip away before the second climb of the Cote de Rimiez.  On her wheel was Maaike Boogaard (Ale BTC Ljubljana) whom I met when she was a Junior at the World Championships back in 2015.  She was the first of a formidable Dutch team that was intrique with the live paintings I was doing at the races that year in Richmond, VA.  It is very exciting to see her in La Course racing with a professional cycling contract.  I feel so proud, not that I have had anything to do with her success.  Still, it is cool to have met someone who is now racing on the international 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/Tour-de-France-2020/3686994-8-282744/Painting/job-done-lc20-3.html

La Course, One of These Six?

It was looking like these six had made the move of the day.  They had slipped off the front of the main peloton at the summit of the Cote de Rimiez and pushed their advantage on the rolling climb and following descent back down to Nice.  Anna Hendersen (Sunweb) took a drink as she rolled to the back of the pace line.  Ahead of her were Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig (FDJ Nouvelle Aquitaine Futuroscope), Lotte Kopecky (Lotto Soudal Ladies), Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon SRAM), and Christine Majerus (Boels Dolman). It was Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek-Segafredo Women) that was driving the pace on the highway back into 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/Tour-de-France-2020/3686989-7-282744/Painting/one-of-these-six-lc20-2.html

La Course, Wanting to Be Queen

While I watched the two races in reverse order, it was the women who first raced around the streets of Nice and up the Cote de Rimiez.  Unlike the men, the women's race started out by going straight for the climb to the Queen of the Mountain points.  With such a blistering pace on the climb, it wasn't long before many of within the peloton found their day over before it even started.  As the peloton neared the summit, Christine Majerus (Boels-Dolmans), the oft champion of Luxembourg, jumped free to collect the maximum points on the climb.  If the same rules were applied as for the men, it means she claims the Maillot a Pois of Queen of the Mountains.  Giving chase was Maria Guila Confalonieri (Ceratizit-WNT) and it was Dani Christmas (Lotto Soudal Ladies) taking second over the cote for the first 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/Tour-de-France-2020/3686988-6-282744/Painting/wanting-to-be-queen-lc20-1.html

Tour, Stage 1: A Norwegian on the English Promenade

I was truly excited to see Alexander Kristoff (UAE-Team Emirates) take the first stage of the Tour.  Kristoff has been quiet as of late, but today's stage win gives him both the Maillot Jaune of race leader (his first ever) and the Maillot Vert of the best sprinter of the Tour.  On the Norwegian's wheel was the reigning World Champion, Mads Pedersen (Trek-Segafredo) and Cees Pol (Sunweb).  Just behind those three was the new European Champion, Giacomo Nizzolo (NTT Pro Cycling) and just out of frame in fifth is Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe).  Nizzolo is also the Italian National Champion, but the European jersey takes precedent.

So at the end of the first stage it is Kristoff in both the Yellow and Green Jerseys, Mads Pedersen in the White Jersey, and Michael Schar in the Polka Dot Jersey.

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/Tour-de-France-2020/3683840-5-282744/Painting/a-norwegian-on-the-english-promenade-tdf20-5.html

Tour, Stage 1: Slow It Down!

Several riders had already crashed on the wet twisty roads of the Alpes Maritime. Others had been trying to get the peloton to slow it down when Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) came up to Omar Fraille (Astana) he shouldn't have got any complaint, and yet he did.  Fraille's pace had seen his own team leader slide off the road and into a sign on the treacherous, wet descent.  Fortunately Miguel Angel Lopez did not seem to be hurt, but his bike was left in pieces.  From here until the flat lands with just 15 kilometers to race, calm and safety took over the mindset of the peloton.  Although there will still crashes, with an important one coming with just under three kilometers to race. 

It will be interesting to see who handle their crashes best as tomorrow will be the earliest mountain stage in decades.  Sore muscles, bad road rashes, and low morale could lose someone the Tour on just the second 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/Tour-de-France-2020/3683793-4-282744/Painting/slow-down-tdf20-4.html

Tour, Stage 1: Not Ideal

Not only were the race conditions less than ideal, the stage wasn't going great for Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck Quick Step) either.  On the descent off the only categorized climb, his front wheel locked up.  He waited a long time for his team car, and once there the mechanic couldn't get the front wheel off either.  The better option after too much time had been spent was to give him his back up bike.  Something else must not have been right, because Alaphilippe, normally a great descender, had a terrible time negotiating the tricky corners off of the Cote de Rimiez.

I just recently got a new bike with disc brakes and was very surprised that they don't have quick release skewers.  That is why the mechanic as a cordless drill.  He needs to drive a hex head wrench to free the front wheel (or the back) to effect a wheel change.  At least Alaphilippe was able to rejoin, and to even help with the lead out at 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/Tour-de-France-2020/3683714-3-282744/Painting/not-ideal-tdf20-3.html

Tour, Stage 1: First KOM

While checking over his shoulder just to make sure, Fabien Grellier (Total-Direct Energie) claimed the first King of the Mountain points atop the Cote de Rimiez.  He was challenged by Cyril Gautier (B&B Hotels-Vital Concept) who claimed the remain single point towards the Maillot a Pois.  Third over the top was Mcihael Schar (CCC) and since it was a Category 3 climb, he was left without points for this summit.  Don't worry for Schar, he got maximum points on the final climb, and on count back that gave him the first Polka Dot Jersey of the 2020 Tour.

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/Tour-de-France-2020/3683695-2-282744/Painting/first-kom-tdf20-2.html

Tour, Stage 1: Here We Go!

At long last the Tour de France got started today.  With the worldwide pandemic, I was afraid we wouldn't be having the Tour, and there is still no guarantee that the race will be allowed to make it to Paris.  But the ASO is doing all it can to keep riders, staff, press and fans as safe as possible.  That being said, just five minutes behind schedule, Christian Prudhomme dropped the flag that got what will be a very unusual Tour underway.  Within moments, the first break away went off the front.  Not long after the rain started and that would become the driving plot point of the first stage.

I will be painting every stage of this Tour live (or as close as possible), every day.  However, my wife is scheduled to have a kidney transplant on Stage 17, and I will be donating a kidney on the same day.  Therefore, I will not be finishing painting the race until I have recovered enough from surgery to watch and paint (and write these posts).  We've been waiting a long time for this day to come, and as much as I love watching and painting the Tour de France, the transplants are far more important.

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/Tour-de-France-2020/3683684-1-282744/Painting/here-we-go-tdf20-1.html

Milano-Sanremo, Half a Bike

After 305 kilometers, it was thalf the length of a race bike that decided the 2020 edition of Milano-Sanremo!  The duo of Wout Van Aert (Jumbo-Vismo) and Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-Quick Step) came together on the fast descent of the Poggio di Sanremo.  They joined forces in a successful attempt to hold off the chasing peloton.  In the end, Van Aert had the sprint to take the victory over the defending winner, Alaphilippe.  Van Aert added today's victory to his solo win in Strade-Bianche last Saturday, a feat that was accomplished by Alaphilippe in 2019.  It leaves me wondering what the delayed 2020 Tour de France will be like. 

I most likely will not be painting cycling until the start of the Tour de France, but with being furloughed from my night work who knows what I will paint next?  I do always enjoy watching the Dauphine, so one never knows.

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/2020-Bike-Racing-Revised-Season/3632998-17-280747/Painting/half-a-bike-ms20-6.html

Milano-Sanremo, Time to Go!

As the peloton neared the summit of the final climb, the Poggio di Sanremo, it was time to make the attack that would stick.  As he did in 2019, Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-Quick Step) attacked hard on the climb.  As he went the only one that could come close to holding the Frenchman's wheel was Dutchman, Wout Van Aerts (Jumbo-Visma).  Behind you can see the rest of the peloton dropping away.  I didn't manage to get who it was just behind riding for Team Ineos.  I wonder if the peloton had the chance to take in the beautiful views of the sea off their fight shoulders.

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/2020-Bike-Racing-Revised-Season/3632964-16-280747/Painting/time-to-go-ms20-5.html

Milano-Sanremo, Keeping His Distance

Descending off of the Cipressa, Daniel Oss (Bora-Hansgrohe) opened up a rather large gap on the following peloton.  On the way down, he had a near miss with the camera moto, almost coming down on one of the sharp turns on the cliffs over the sea.  Once off the front Oss road hard to keep the peloton from catching him up.  Along the roads, fans safely observed their social distancing (and wore masks) just as Oss kept his social distance from the rest 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/2020-Bike-Racing-Revised-Season/3632941-15-280747/Painting/keeping-his-distance-ms20-4.html

Milano-Sanremo, Checking the Gap

While it was a very long day in the saddle, it wasn't until the final 30 kilometers that the race really got going.  This duo of Loic Vliegen (Circus-Wanty Gobert) and Jacop Mosca (Trek-Segafredo) jumped free of the peloton on the penultimate climb of the day, the Cipressa.  Trek-Segafredo kept up the agression sending men up the road one after another.  By the finale, they had four of their six riders go up the road on the attack.  I guess was the thinking was that it would allow for their team leader, Vincenzo Nibali, to have an easier time of it, thus allowing him to be fresher to go for the victory.  Spoiler, it didn't work.

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/2020-Bike-Racing-Revised-Season/3632933-14-280747/Painting/checking-the-gap-ms20-3.html

Milano-Sanremo, You Go Get Them

Marco Frapporti (Vini-Zabu-KTM) looked across to Manuele Boaro (Astana) as if to say, "You go chase them down."  The duo of Matha Bais (Androni Giocattoli-Sidermac) and Alessandro Tonelli (Bardiani-CSF-Faizane) had ridden off the front of the trio, the third rider being Damiano Cimi (Gazprom-RusVelo).  The five were the remaining guys off the front of the peloton, who had been out there for 250 kilometers.  Surely, this will be the longest breakaway of the 2020 Pro Cycling Season.  The quintet did join back together in their efforts to keep the peloton at bay.

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/2020-Bike-Racing-Revised-Season/3632917-13-280747/Painting/you-go-get-them-ms20-2.html

Milano-Sanremo, Looking for His Car

Normally the last of the Spring Monuments, the 111th Milano-Sanremo was moved to the heat of August for this Covid-19 altered 2020 cycling season.  Since Italy is finally opening up, the race was allowed, but the mayors along the traditional coast roads refused to close the roads for the race.  After all they finally could generate some very much needed tourist income.  So not only is this edition hotter than normal, it is racing on new inland roads that made the race into a 305 kilometer race.

With still another 97 kilometers to race, Leonardo Bonifazio (Total Direct Energie) was dropping off the back of the peloton in search of his team car.  It was of the upmost importance to keep feed and hydrated on this longest of races of the season.  The camera didn't stay with Bonifazio to confirm that he was getting supplies for himself or for all of his teammates, but I am sure it was the latter.

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/2020-Bike-Racing-Revised-Season/3632899-12-280747/Painting/looking-for-his-team-car-ms20-1.html

Strade Bianche, Celebrating Alone

Just like Annemiek Van Vleuten (Mitchelton-Scott) before him, her countryman Wout Van Aert (Jumbo Visma) came alone to the finish line in the old square in Siena.  And like Van Vleuten, Van Aert had only the cameras to salute to as he celebrated his victory in the "sixth monument"

I will be back next week painting another of the classic Italian races, Milan-Sanremo.  I do believe I will have access to the women's race as well.

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/2020-Bike-Racing-Revised-Season/3609840-11-280747/Painting/celebrating-alone-sb20-11.html

Strade Bianche, The Final Section

Greg Van Avermaet (CCC Pro Cycling) was joined by Zdenek Stybar (Deceuninck-Quickstep) as the two dropped down onto the final gravel section of the day.  The duo was a minute behind the chasing threesome, and another six seconds behind the sole leader on the road.  With just under thirteen kilometers left to race, it was unlikely either would be taking the day. 

I was impressed to see the race marshall, with his warning flag under his arm, wearing his face mask, and wearing it properly.  We all need to be wearing one whenever we are out if we want to get back to watching bike racing and all of the other things (and people) we love.

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/2020-Bike-Racing-Revised-Season/3609835-10-280747/Painting/the-final-section-sb20-10.html