Paris Nice 23, Stage 4: Positioning Himself

Jonas Gregaard (Uno-X) had managed to get himself into the break away yet again.  He as making sure he would have a chance to go for the maximum points to add to his King of the Mountain points on at least the next two climbs.  Just ahead of the Maillot a Pois was Maurice Ballerstedt (Alpecin-Deceuninck).  Off to the side is the American in the break away Larry Warbasse (Ag2r-Citroen) apparently sliding to the back of the seven man break having done his turn on the front.  With 51 kilometers to race they had four minutes on the peloton, but the group behind was closing fast as they approached this base of the climb.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $90 USD including shipping, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3938774-93-272742/Painting/positioning-himself.-pn23-11.html

Gent-Wevelgem, Last Time Up the Baneberg

 The course of Gent-Wevelgem took the riders over some climbs multiple times including two climbs of the Baneberg.  All of the climbs were short, steep and paved with cobblestones.  I had been planning on painting the famous cobble stone race of Paris-Roubaix, yet it has been canceled due to the resurgence of Covid-19 throughout France.  So I found coverage of this other cobbled semi-classic.  The major difference in the two races is that Paris-Roubaix's cobbled sections are much longer and they are all flat.  These roads seem somewhat smoother as well.  This is the back end of the leading group on the road that includes Sep Vanmarcke (EF), Gianni Vermeersch (Alpecin-Fenix), Mike Teunissen (Jumbo-Visma) Alexis Gougeard (AG2R La Mondiale) and Luke Rowe (Ineos-Grenadiers).  Gougeard was the only rider that managed to stay with the lead group from the original break away of the day.  With 40 kilometers to go, most of those behind had little chance of figuring in the finale in just over an hour from now.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow th edirect link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above.  Since ti is an original work of art, it is a first come first seved reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburth watercolors from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/2020-Bike-Racing-Revised-Season/3718294-25-280747/Painting/last-time-up-the-baneberg-gw20-3.html

Tour, Final Stage: Time to Start Racing

 With the formalities of the final stage our of the way, it was time to get to racing.  Although, I didn't see the honorary champagne toast between the winner, his teammates and his director sportif.  In the past the champagne was once replaced with a good English Cider, but I don't think I have ever not seen the toast.  Nevertheless, now it was time to race for the victory of the final stage of the Tour.  I was unable to identify who the Ag2r La Mondiale rider who was just rolling of the front of the peloton, but it is Nielson Powless (EF Pro Cycling) taking over with the pace making and Christoph Laporte (Cofidis) waiting to do his part to get a break away established.  While there are many iconic images of Paris, this is the one that is Paris and the Tour de France.  Every year the Champs Elysees plays host to the final stage, and everyone in the peloton is thrilled to have made it to the end of the Tour.  Many hope to achieve the rare feet of making a break stick for the stage, but it rarely succeeds.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow th edirect link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above.  Since ti is an original work of art, it is a first come first seved reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburth watercolors from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available. 

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France-2020/3705808-141-282744/Painting/time-to-start-racing-tdf20-133.html

Tour, Stage 16: Au Revoir

When I painted (and titled) this, I thought this was the moment Benoit Cosnefroy (Ag2r La Mondiale) was going to be saying farewell to his Maillot a Pois.  Pierre Rolland (B&B Hotels-Vital Concept) had pulled even with him on points and there were still to categorized climbs to go in today's stage.  All Rolland had to do was score just one point and Cosnefroy's 15 days in the jersey would be over.  Spoiler alert, Rolland scored no more points, and count back determined that he would have at least on more day in the King of the Mountains jersey.  He was using the wheel of a countryman, Anthony Turgis (Total Direct Energie) to keep the fading peloton in side on the way up the Montee Saint Nizier de Moucherotte.  It is always a bad sign when the race referee car that follows the peloton and the Mavic neutral service vehicle pass you on the way up a climb.  The only race vehicle that will never pass you is the Broom Wagon, currently right on Caleb Ewan's wheel.

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-2020/3701739-110-282744/Painting/au-revoir-tdf20-104.html

Tour, Stage 9: Still Racing

With tons of guys dropping off of the pace on the final climb it was a true heart warming moment ot see Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ) still on the back of the main peloton.  He was with quite a few other team leaders (just look for the bib numbers that end in 1) including Rigoberto Uran (EF Pro Cycling), Bauke Mollema (Trek-Segafredo), Romain Bardet (Ag2r La Mondiale) and Guillaume Martin (Cofidis).  I was convinced that Thibaut would not come out to race today, so seeing him still with the leaders on the Col de Marie Blanque was truly impressive.  He did drop off a bit at the top, but nothing like yesterday.  His will is still very strong even if is back has let him down in this year's 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-2020/3693443-57-282744/Painting/still-racing-tdf20-52.html

Tour, Stage 8: Embracing His Effort

It is rare that a break will go to the line, but today Nans Peters (Ag2r La Mondiale) is the second to do so to win a stage in this year's Tour.  We are only to the eighth day of racing, and this Tour has already offered up more drama, more twist and more turns than it has in decades.  The GC battle continued ten minutes behind but in the end the only major change was the collapse of Thibaut Pinot.

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-2020/3693263-53-282744/Painting/embracing-his-effort-tdf20-48.html

Tour, Stage 8: First on the Way Down

Nans Peters (Ag2r La Mondiale) used his rather superior descending skills to drop off the back side of the Port de Bales.  Peters was one of the original thirteen that got off the front early into the stage.  And he was one of just eight that got to the top of the penultimate climb before leaving them all behind.  So far it was looking like a good day for the French squad, with Cosnefroy solidifiying his lead in the Polka Dots, Bardet in good form after his fall, and Peters off the front on a solo run to the finish.

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-2020/3693179-50-282744/Painting/first-on-the-way-down-tdf20-45.html

Tour, Stage 8: Getting Patched Up

There are no time outs, or subsitutions, in cycling.  So after a fall, riders must get up and finish the stage, or their Tour is over.  Sadly a couple of guys have already crashed out of the Tour already.  Romain Bardet (Ag2r La Mondiale) had a fairly minor crash that left him a bit bloody.  Along with EMT and ambulances back with the broom wagon, the Tour has a medics car at the front of the caravan ready to assists riders with their medical issures.  Bardet was quickly cleaned and patched up to go on with his stage.  Spoiler, Bardet not only caught back onto the peloton, but ended the day pulling back a couple of seconds on his main GC rivals.

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-2020/3693048-48-282744/Painting/getting-patched-up-tdf20-43.html

Tour, Stage 8: Sprinting for More

Unlike Sagan earlier, Benoit Cosnefroy (Ag2r La Mondiale) wasn't leaving anything to chance as he sprinted out of the eight man break.  As Jerome Cousin (Total Direct Energie) watched his countryman go, he thought about trying to go with him, but didn't quite have the legs to match Cosnefroy's burst of speed at the top of the Col de Menthe.  Ilnur Zakarin (CCC) just kept churning over his pedals thinking of a stage victory at the end of the day.

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-2020/3693030-47-282744/Painting/sprinting-for-more-tdf20-42.html

Tour, Stage 7: Straight to Work

Today's stage started out hard right at the drop of the flag.  The first climb of the day was just 17 kilometers in, but it look like the peloton was climbing from kilometer 0.  Benoit Cosnefroy (Ag2r La Mondiale) went straight off the front to add to his King of the Mountain points in hopes of keeping his Maillot a Pois through the weekend (there are some big Pyrennian mountains on offer). 

Surprising the other sprinters, Bora-Hansgrohe (the team of Peter Sagan) went to the front and hammered it up to the top of the Cote de Luzencon trying to shed all of his sprint competitors, and the Green Jersey.  After Bora-Hansgrohe caught the Frenchman, they graciously let him cross the summit first.  They had no need for the two points on offer, so it was a gesture of civility that they motioned for Cosnefroy to get by them for the maximum points.

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-2020/3691869-40-282744/Painting/straight-to-work-tdf20-35.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: 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

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: 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, 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: 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 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: 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 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

Tour, Stage 20: Salvaging What He Can

Julian Alaphilippe (Deceunick-Quick Step) was back into his team kit today after a wild finish to stage 19.  While he may have held on, just barely, to the Maillot Jaune had the stage not been shorten, it was clear he would have seen it slip away on this final climb of the Tour.  He was being assisted up the climb by his teammate Enric Mas, as they rode past Andrey Amador (Movistar) and Romain Bardet (Groupama-FDJ).  Bardet was having a rough day and was in danger of losing his Maillot a Pois.  Should that happen, it would mean no jersey for the French after such a brilliant Tour de France.  It would also mean that Egan Bernal (Ineos) would win three of the four leaders jersey, I believe the last time that happened it was Eddy Merckx back in the 1970s.

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.

Be sure to check out my daily videos on You Tube.  If you enjoy what you see on the channel, please subscribe.  I need to get over a hundred subscribers so I can name the channel, "Art of Cycling"

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202019/3366056-115-263530/Salvaging%20What%20He%20Can%20%20TDF-115.html