Tour '25, Stage 15: Has the Fire Gone Out?

The seven guys who had been with Tim Wellens had tried hard to chase down the former Belgium time trialist.  At twelve kilometers to go they had lost a minute and thirty-nine seconds to the lone leader.  It just seemed to me that the fire had gone out of the chase as Michael Storer (Tudor Pro Cycling), Alexey Lutsenko (Israel-Premier Tech), Victor Campenaerts (Visma-Lease a Bike), Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek), Alexsandr Vlasov (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), Warren Barguil (Picnic-PostNL), and Carlos Rodriguez (Ineos-Grenadiers) free-wheeled down one of the many rollers into the finish town of Carcassone.  Perhaps they had switched their thinking to how can I get second on the stage.  Carlos Rodriguez was the only one with GC aspirations.  If he could keep the group's advantage over the peloton he would move up from tenth to nineth ahead of tomorrow's rest day.

Side note, with just two kilometers to race, Campenaerts jumped free and claimed second over the combined chase groups led home by none other than Julian Alaphilippe (Tudor Pro Cycling) who had started his day on the ground holding his injured shoulder.

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 work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Has the Fire Gone Out? TdF25-100" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Olympics 2024, Men's Road Race: Sorry About That

While looking back to see who was chasing them, Alexey Lutsenko (Kazakstan) brushed into his breakaway companion, Ben Healy (Ireland).  Lutsenko reached out and tapped the shoulder of the Irishman to let him know he was sorry for the momentary lapse of focus.  He could be pardoned for the goof, they have been racing for just under two hundred kilometers and the real racing hasn't really started yet.  They were building up an advantage on the peloton in search of the five guys up the road.  

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 work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"Sorry About That PO24-53" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 9: On to the Next Sector

The lead group hits Sector 9 of the gravel roads with another 67 kilometers to race.  They only have a little over a minute advantage on the group containing the marquees of this Tour.  Derek Gee (Israel-Premier Tech) leads Alexey Lutsenko (Astana-Qazaqstan), Jasper Stuyven (Lidl-Trek) with the other six that were in the lead group into the choking dust of the gravel roads.  I do truly appreciate the camera motos getting these shots so we can see what is happening, but they are the ones kicking up huge clouds of dust into the faces of each of the groups of riders.

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 work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"On to the Next Sector TdF24-48" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France 23, Stage 15: Making Progress

It took a long time to get a break away established today.  Finally after over thirty kilometers raced this foursome started to make a bit of progress getting of the front.  I never did catch the name of the Ag2r-Citroen rider was.  By the time my broadcast came back from the commercial break, he was gone.  But leading the group is the ever aggressive, Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal-Quick Step).  He was joined by Alexey Lutsenko (Astana-Qazaqstan) and Nils Politt (Bora-Hansgrohe).  The other three pressed on and were eventually joined by a rather large group.  In fact, at one point in the first third of that race, there were as many in the break as were chasing in the peloton behind.  With all of the climbs in the second half of the day, everyone hoped to either go for stage glory or get a head start so they would be ensured not to miss out on the time limit with the worst climbs coming at the end of the stage/

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 $95 USD including shipping, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2023/3965797-94-297438/Painting/making-progress-tdf23-94.html

 

Wollongong 2022, Elite Men's Road Race: Damn, They're Coming

Alexey Lutsenko (Kazakhstan) looks back after his attack to find those he had left coming back up to him.  With 37 kilometers to race, it was probably to far to go alone, but he could have been trying to make a small group that would work together.  Under his left arm you might be able to make out the light blue jersey of Remco Evenepoel (Belgium) leading the charge back up the the yellow and blue glad Lutsenko.  The two would join forces and go away together during the next lap of the Wollongong City circuit.  But the penultimate climb of Mount Pleasant would be Lutsenko's undoing.

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, and yes, international shipping is available. 

If you can't afford to purchase a piece you could always help keep me going by buying me a cup of coffee at buymeacoffee.com/greigsartc.  And check out my vlogs at my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLGX-TnjXDSkkOidUE6pN1g

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Wollongong-2022-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3907914-30-295031/Painting/damn-theyre-coming-uci22-30.html

Tour '22, Stage 17: Getting Away on the Col d'Aspin

With this painting, I have now painted at least one rider on every of the 22 teams in the Tour this year.  Astana Qazaqstan has had a very quiet race, but today their leader Alexey Lutsenko decided he had had enough of riding in the shadows.  On the wasy up the first big climb of the day the Col d'Aspin, both he and Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ) went off the front of the early break away.  They built up a sizable advantage over the peloton, but there was a chance to fight for the Miallot Jaune behind.  The speed of the infighting in the peloton meant that these two were reeled back in on the next climb of the day.

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, and yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3894797-104-294403/Painting/getting-away-on-the-col-daspin-tdf22-105.html

TDF, Stage 8: Time to Go!

The Col de Romme was the penultimate climb of the day and an unlikely place to launch an attack out of the main peloton.  Never the less, that is exactly what Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) did.  With another seven kilometers on this climb and then one more climb up the infamous Col de la Colombiere it may be a bit early to go on the attack, but he did just use the last of his teammates so why not.  When he went only Richard Carapaz (Ineos-Grenadiers) was able to follow the move, although Alexey Lutsenko (Astana-Premier Tech) did jump on the pedals in an attempt to go with the two climbers.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct 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/2021-Tour-de-France/3821758-47-291436/Painting/time-to-go-tdf21-46.html

Dauphine, Final Stage: Giving It Another Shot

Ben O'Connor (Ag2r-Citroen) had tried several times to escape from the group with the Yellow Jersey (and the rest of the top positions on the general classification).  Undaunted, he went again with just 3 kilometers to the end of the stage, and the race.  This time it worked.  While he wasn't going to be able to catch the three up the road, he was going to be able to move himself up a couple of positions finishing the Dauphine in eighth place.  In the distance you can see Alexey Lutsenko (Astana-Premier Tech), who finished in second, looking back at the Maillot Jaune of Richie Porte (Ineos-Grenadiers), perhaps trying to decide if he should go after O'Connor in hopes of overtaking Porte.  Geraint Thomas, Porte's teammate, simply wasn't going to let that happen.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct 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/Criterium-du-Dauphine/3816654-128-185083/Painting/giving-it-another-shot-cd21-44.html

Dauphine, Stage 6: Showing Their Colors

After Astana-Premier Tech pushed the pace on the way up the Col du Porte, it was Movistar hitting the front on the way back down the other side.  Carlos Verona took the team over the top, down the other side, and on up the penultimate climb of the day.  Stuck to his teammate's wheel was the designated team leader, Miguel Angel Lopez.  On the wheel of Movistar was the guy sitting second overall, Alexey Lutsenko (Astana-Premier Tech).  He just needed to stay on the front to guarantee he would be the next to pull on the Maillot Jaune.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct 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/Criterium-du-Dauphine/3815290-114-185083/Painting/showing-their-colors-cd21-30.html

Tour, Stage 11: By the Side of the Road

At first glance, this struck me as a typical rest stop on a club ride.  Had I know just how hurt Ion Izaguirre (Astana) was - he is the rider sitting against the wall - I may not have painted this.  The sport is dangerous enough without celebrating the crashes and road rashes.  This crash was the end of his Tour.  As I write this I don't know the seriousness of his injuries, but they did keep him from continuing to ride.  He was being checked on by two of his teammates, the Kazahkstan Champion, Alexey Lutsenko and Harold Tejada.  Standing beside the Astana trio is Jose Joaquin Roja (Movistar).  While he looks like he is just hanging out watching the Tour go by, he was rather tore up on his backside.  It wasn't until I saw him chasing back onto the peloton that I realize he his checking on his butt and back which are covered in road rash at the very least.

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-2020/3697260-69-282744/Painting/by-the-side-of-the-road-tdf20-63.html

Tour, Stage 6: From Start to Finish

Clearly, Alexey Lutsenko (Astana) had every reason to gripe at his break away companions, he had the legs to make the break succeed today.  He accomplished a very rare feat today.  He attacked at kilometer 0, and road off the front of the peloton all of the way to the finish.  He made a 191 kilometer break away succeed, ending in a solo victory in Mont Argoual.  The peloton was almost three minutes behind the Kazahk champion when they rolled across the line.  Today also was a new point for this Tour, none of the leader's jersey changed hands.

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-2020/3690787-39-282744/Painting/from-start-to-finish-tdf20-34.html

Tour, Stage 6: On His Own

Alexey Lutsenko (Astana) came to the summit of the Col de la Luscette all alone.  He had dropped each of his break away companions with a relentless pace, a pace he used to catch and then drop the much younger Nielson Powless (EF Pro Cycling).  While he clearly had the legs to keep going, it had to be a bit frustrating that the road kept going up from here.  It was still another 12.5 kilometers to the finish of the stage on Mont Argoual.  He could take some comfort that there was only one man within a half minute of him, and the peloton of favorites was over three minutes back.

It look like he was going to take the stage, but he was too far down the general classification to have any hopes of pulling on the Maillot Jaune 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-2020/3690754-38-282744/Painting/on-his-own-tdf20-33.html

Tour, Stage 6: "Pull Through, Damn It"

While the early break went at the 0 kilometer mark, it didn't start out as smoothly as it could have.  Alexey Lutsenko (Astana) wasn't very happy with his break away companions.  He was gesticulating wildly to get them to pull through to make all of their efforts a success.  At this point the group just had a view seconds on the peloton, but it was still uncertain if the break would stick.  Jesus Herrada (Cofidis) seemed the most reluctant to to his share of the effort.  Edvald Boasoon Hagen (NTT Pro Cycling) was the last to join the escapees.  Others in the group included the birthday boy, Nielson Powless (EF Pro Cycling) and the still reigning Olympic Champion, Greg Van Avermaet (CCC).

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-2020/3690683-35-282744/Painting/pull-through-damn-it-tdf20-30.html

Yorkshire 2019 - Elite Men's Road Race: Stripping Down

With the foul weather, it was a challenge to get the attire right.  The heavy rains had already removed two of the climbs due to flooded roads at the base of both climbs.  Alexey Lutsenko (Kazakhstan) was having a tough day of it.  As the peloton neared the now nine circuits around Harrogate, he decided he would remove his leg warmers before the racing really got serious.  As he pulled off each one he would wring them out, squeezing what appeared to be a cup of water from each one.  I can only imagine that as wet as they were, they weren't doing much for warmth, not to mention how much they must have weighed.

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.

Please be sure to visit my YouTube Channel and subscribe if you like what you see. 

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Yorkshire%202019/3400589-44-266225/Stripping%20Down%20%20UCI19-44.html

Yorkshire 2019 - Elite Men's ITT: Every Twist and Turn

The crowds out enjoying the UCI Road World Championships in and around Harrogate have been amazing.  And they are continuing to build as we move towards the road races starting tomorrow.  Alexey Lutsenko (Kazakhstan) was cheered through every twist and turn of the 54 kilometer course.  Lutsenko has quite a few thousand race kilometers in his legs already, so he didn't produce the ride he would have hoped for.  He finished his day at 25th in the overall standings.

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.

Please be sure to visit my YouTube Channel and subscribe if you like what you see.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Yorkshire%202019/3395458-20-266225/Every%20Twist%20and%20Turn%20%20UCI19-20.html

Tour, Stage 18: Chasing the Colombian

Romain Bardet (Ag2r La Mondiale) and Alexey Lutsenko (Astana) were the two that gave chase to the fleeing Colombian, Nairo Quintana (Movistar).  The pair looked like they might pull Quintana back at first, but then he just kept turning the pedals over faster than they could.  Bardet was giving the French fans something to cheer about before they would get to see the Maillot Jaune on the shoulders of the Frenchman Julian Alaphilippe.

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%202019/3365295-101-263530/Chasing%20the%20Colombian%20%20TDF19-101.html

Tour, Stage 15: Who's Coming?

The break took quite a long time to get established today, and it was rather large once it did.  The peloton was looking at three catagory one climbs, the final being a mountain top finish.  Given what played out on the Tourmalet yesterday, it was looking like it would be another decisive day.  On the first of the big climbs, the Port de Lers, it was Alexey Lutsenko (Astana) looking back over his shoulder to see who was following his attack.  On his left shoulder was Julien Bernard (Trek-Segafredo) and behind him were Sebastien Reichenbach and Rudy Mollard both on Groupama-FDJ.  All for were in the break to be able to help their team leaders on the final climb of the day.  Should the leaders not bridge up to them, then they could race for stage honors for their respective teams.

Watch this painting come to life as I talk about the Tour and creating cycling art here:

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%202019/3363339-82-263530/Who's%20Coming?%20%20TDF19-82.html

This painting has sold!

Giro, Stage 6: Having to Chase

With the Maglia Rosa on the back of their team leader, Rohan Dennis, it fell to BMC to chase down the largest break of this year's Giro.  With roughly 18 riders up the road, it was going to be a hard chase with a rather large spike in the tail of the stage.  Jurgen Roelandts looks behind to see that he has Francisco Bentoso and Jean-Pierre Drucker on his wheel.  Astana is getting ready to lend a hand in the chase, with Alexey Lutsenko joining the black and red of BMC.  There is still 45 kilometers to catch the leaders, but the last 15 of that is up the infamous Etna volcano.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/101st-Giro-dItalia/3160760-25-249297/PaintingHaving-to-Chase--G18-25.html

Bergen 2017, Elite Men's ITT: Quick Change

Alexey Lutsenko (Kazakhstan) was the first out on the most unusual of UCI Road World time trial courses.  Like the women's race, it feature techincal sections, cobble stones and climbs, but what differ for the men was the last three kilometers were up the steeps climb yet, the Mount Floyen.  The course took them over much of the same roads we have seen thus far before a turn onto the big climb.  The riders were given the choice of swapping out the TT bikes for a climbing road bike, if they did it on a specific area of a red carpet.  Lutsenko was the first to face the decision, and the first to take it.  It must be said that his was not the smoothest bike swap I saw today.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3036132-22-239826/PaintingQucik-Change-Bergen-22.html

Tour, Final Stage: A Bit of a Gap

As it usually goes on the Champs Elysees, as soon as one escape was brought back to the peloton another one goes.  First to go off on his own was Alexey Lutsenko (Astana) not the first time in the Tour he has left the peloton behind.  Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) road across the gap to join forces with the Kazakhstan and together the pair built on their advantage over the peloton.  While I have enjoyed all the vistas that have played across my television screen during the Tour, I am always thrilled to see Paris a city I have visited five times since I was a teenager.  I admit, I would much rather be walking the streets now than sitting in Richmond, Virginia.  My love of bike racing started when I purchase my first cycling magazine in Paris, Eddy Merckx was on the cover.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  While you are on the site, be sure to check out my other works of art and my two cycling books.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Bear in mind that this is a one of a kind original and once it is gone, it is gone.

Be sure to check out my second cycling art book, Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships, available online or through your local book seller.

To buy this painting, follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2828514-160-224974/PaintingA%20Bit%20of%20a%20Gap%20TdF161-Greig-Leach.html#.V5Vew7grLIU