Tour '22, Stage 19, I Know They Are Coming

Sorry that this is out of focus, but then this deep into the Tour I am nearly as exhausted as the racers.  So I just didn't feel like re-shooting the artwork.  The actual painting isn't blurring, just the photograph and since I am not going to offer this as a print, I thought I would just let it go.  The peloton wasn't going to let these three go either.  But Fred Wright (Bahrain-Victorious), Alexis Gougeard (B&B Hotels-KTM), and Jasper Stuyven (Trek-Segafredo) weren't going to make it easy for those behind.  They only had 14 seconds with 9 kilometers left to go.  They did manage to stay off the front until the last kilometer of the stage.  It actually looked like Wright might be able to win the stage with just 500 meters to race.  But the sprinters were set to have their 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. 

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/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3895290-125-294403/Painting/i-know-they-are-coming-tdf22-126.html

 

Tour '22, Stage 15: Is this Worth the Effort?

Benjamin Thomas (Cofidis) jumped clear of the peloton on the climb of the Cote des Commazes to grap the King of the Mountain points mainly to help defend his teammate Simon Geschke's lead in the competition for the Maillot a Pois.  Going over the top, he was joined by Alexis Gougeard (B&B Hotels-KTM).  The two built up a 22 second lead on the chasing peloton with just 30 kilometers left to race.  Thomas looked over at Gougeard to ask if he thought this attempt had any real chance of succeeding.  Although, not long after, Thomas attacked his fellow Frenchman and set off on his own.  It wasn't until inside the final kilometer of the day that the peloton caught him without any mercy.  Still I am sure he was award the red bib number of most combatative rider 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 $90 USD including shipping, and yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3894251-93-294403/Painting/is-this-worth-the-effort-tdf22-94.html

Tour '22, Stage 5: Working Together

I'm not really sure why Magnus Cort (EF Education-EasyPost) went into the break away today, after all there weren't any King of the Mountain points on offer.  It may have just been force of habit.  He has been in the break for every road stage of the Tour thus far.  Today he had five others off the front with him, including his teammate, the American, Neilson Powless.  Having been back to the car for a water bottle, he passed another over to Powless, one of the advantages having a teammate up the road with you.  Just ahead of the EF duo was Alexis Gougeard (B&B Hotels-KTM) and then Edvald Boasson Hagen (TotalEnergies).  Leading the group but not really visible is Taco Van Der Hoorn (Intermache-Wanty Gobert-Materiaux).  The sextet build up just shy of seven minutes on the following peloton.  I suppose those behind thought the cobbles would slow them down enough so they could be caught.

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-2022/3892381-22-294403/Painting/working-together-tdf22-22.html

Paris Nice 2022: Two Out of Three

The title comes from the fact that two out of these three riders have been in at least one of the previous break aways in Paris Nice.  The odd man out was Owain Doull (EF Education-EasyPost).  Conversely, Alexis Gougeard (B&B Hotels-KTM) has made it into a break three times out of three stages.  Thomas De Gendt (Lotto Soudal) has done it yesterday and today.  One thing is for sure, none of them will be in a break tomorrow since it is a day of racing against the clock in the individual time trial.

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 $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3870934-47-272742/Painting/two-out-of-three-pn22-10.html

Paris Nice 2022: A Change of Direction

Mathew Holmes (Lotto Soudal) had been rewarded for his early break away yesterday with the Polka Dot Jersey of the King of the Mountains.  Not one to think one day is enough, he went out early today with his teammate Philippe Gilbert to suck up the available points in the early (and only) climbs of the day.  Joining the Lotto Soudal was a member of yesterday's late break away, Alexis Gougeard (B&B Hotels-KTM).  Riding in defense of his teammate, Gilbert made sure to take second over the two climbs while Holmes got over first.  That kept Gougeard from over taking the Brit in KOM points.  However the Frenchman's efforts will keep him in second place in the climbing competition.

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 $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3870609-43-272742/Painting/a-change-of-direction-pn22-6.html

Paris Nice 2022: I Think They Are Here

Alexis Gougeard (B&B Hotels-KTM) peaks under his arm only to see the closing peloton.  With the first leadeer's jersey going to whomever wins todays stage, it was unlikely that those considered the favorites were going to let Gougeard nor his break away companions, Yevgeniy Fedorov (Astana Qazaqstan) and Frederik Frison (Lotto Soudal) steal what they saw as their prize.  So with just twelve kilometers left in stage one, it was going to be all back together (minus those already tailed off the back).

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 $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3870436-40-272742/Painting/i-think-they-are-here-pn22-3.html

Paris Nice 2022: Trying Later

After the peloton slowed and Frederik Frison (Lotto Soudal) went off the front Alexis Gougeard (B&B Hotels-KTM) and the Kazikstan Champion, Yevgeniy Fedorov (Astana Qazaqstan) bridged across.  The trio was able to build up almost a minite and a half on the peloton as the entered the finishing circuit around Mantes La Ville.  The trio had sucked up the bonus seconds in the first sprint and the king of the mountain points, but the first Polka Dot Jersey would be going elsewhere.

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 $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3870435-39-272742/Painting/trying-later-pn22-2.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

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

Tour, Stage 16: Still Ahead

The five man break was still of the front with just over five kilometers to the line in Nimes.  Alexis Gougeard (Ag2r La Mondiale) wasn't about to stop driving the pace, even if the peloton was literally just around the corner.  Lukasz Wisniowski (CCC), Stephane Rosetto (Cofidis) and Paul Ourselin (Total Direct Energie) were willing to help with the effort but it was clearly doomed.  Still nothing ventured, nothing gained.

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%202019/3364396-90-263530/Still%20Ahead%20%20TDF19-90.html

Tour, Stage 16: Just One Point

It was five off the front for today's break.  They had little chance of surviving with the sprinters wanting one more stage before the Alps.  This is Lukasz Wisniowski (CCC) just behind Alexis Gougeard (Ag2r La Mondiale) as they got over the only catagorized climb, the Cote de Saint Jean du Pin.  Along the roads of France, the French have been out in droves to cheer on their Maillot Jaune.

See this painting come to life in this time lapse video:

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%202019/3364384-89-263530/Just%20One%20Point%20%20TDF19-89.html

Vuelta, Stage 13: Against the Odds

With a stage that is ear marked for the sprinters, these four were playing against the odds to take the stage.  But as Alexis Gougeard's (Ag2r La Mondiale) teammates motto states, "Take the risk or lose the chance."  Joining the Frenchman in the most likely vain effort were two riders who seemed to have been in every break of this Vuelta, Thomas de Gendt (Lotto Soudal) and Alessandero de Marchi (BMC).  Sandwiched between those two was the other Frenchman, Arnaud Courteille (FDJ).  It was a little odd not to see a Spaniard go for it on the long, hot stage to Sevilla.

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/Vuelta-2017/3024802-16-239162/PaintingAgainst-the-Odds-V017.html

E3 Harelbeke: On to the Kruisberg

The race today was being led by a small six man escape that had gotten away at the 60 kilometer mark and they were still away with about 96 kilometers left to race.  The escapees were comprised of Taco Van Der Hoorn (Roompot Nederlandse Loterij), David Per (Bahrain-Merida), Alexis Gougeard (Ag2r La Mondiale), Roger Wagner (LottoNL Jumbo), Laurens De Vreese (Astana) and Christophe Masson (WB Veranclassic Aquality Protect).  They had about four minutes on the chasing peloton as they started up the Oude Krisberg.  E3 Harelbeke is punctuated with short steep cobbled climbs that jar the riders teeth and zap the strength from their legs.

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/Spring%20Classics%20/2939881-380-195767/PaintingOn%20to%20the%20Kuisberg%20E317-1.html

Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne: Not Giving Up

The last four members of the early break, Jurgen Roelandts (Lotto Soudal), Antoine Duchesne (Direct Energie), Alexis Gougeard (Ag2r La Mondiale) and Maxime Farazijn (Sport Vlaanderen - Baloise), simply refuse to sit up and wait for the chasers behind.  The foursome held off their captures for over twenty kilometers hovering around 15 seconds gap between the two groups.  Finally, the strong legs behind over came the resolve of the tired ones of the break away compatriots.

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/Spring%20Classics%20/2926081-332-195767/PaintingNot%20Giving%20Up%20KBK17-5.html#.WLOaTvkrLIU

Tour, Stage 4: Fair Warning

It is a pun, get it?  The gendarme is warning the break away of the dangerous piece of "traffic furniture" in the middle of the road.  Already, one of these traffic islands has damaged the hopes of one of the main GC riders, Alberto Contador (Tinkoff).  After the break and the peloton are safely pass this obstacle, the gendarme will jump back on his motorcycle, work is way back to the front of the race and find the next hazard on the road.  There has been difficulties with motorcycles speeding through the peloton, but never with one of those of the Gendarmerie.  I am sure all of the racers appreciate the waving yellow flag and blowing whistle that helps to keep them safe on the road.  The four escapees still include, Oliver Naesen (IAM Cycling) who will come away with the most aggressive rider award on the day, Markel Irizar (Trek-Segafredo), Alexis Gougeard (Ag2r La Mondiale) and Andreas Shillinger (Bora-Argon 18).

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.

Buy this painting here:  http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2818699-24-224974/PaintingFair%20Warning%20TdF24-Greig-Leach.html#.V3v7c7grLIU

Tour, Stage 4: Ahead of the Train

This painting's title continues my play on words.  This break away managed to reach the railroad crossing ahead of the train, and of course they are about six minutes ahead of the peloton (or the train of bikes behind).  The foursome of Alexis Gougeard (Ag2r La Mondiale), Markel Irizar (Trek-Segafredo), Andreas Shillinger (Bora Argon 18) and Oliver Naesen (IAM Cycling) took the longest to make their escape from the peloton, not getting away until almost 20 kilometers into the longest stage of this year's Tour.  Their have been races, most notably the fabled Paris Roubaix, when the break has had to wait for a train to cross the road unfortunately losing any time advantage they had built up prior.  Today it was just a few bumps and off they went again.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2818675-22-224974/PaintingAhead%20of%20the%20Train%20TdF22-Greig-Leach.html#.V3v2krgrLIU

Dauphine, Stage 2: Catching Up

Alexis Gougeard (Ag2r La Mondiale) must have been rather disappointed to look over his shoulder to see riders (and quite a few motorcycles).  His fellow countryman, Tony Gallopin (Lotto Soudal), was leading a quartet of riders up to his wheel including two he had dropped earlier, Lilian Caleneiane (Direct Energie) and Bartosz Huzarski (Bora-Argon 18).  However, just another 30 seconds behind them was the balance of the peloton containing all of the contenders for the overall victory including race leader, Alberto Contador (Tinkoff).

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Criterium%20du%20Dauphine/2804599-50-185083/Painting.html#.V1eWG5ErLIU

Dauphine, Stage 2: Over Alone

Alexis Gougeard (Ag2r La Mondiale) pressed on with his escape from the rest of the break away, leaving Bartosz Huzarski behind as well.  The Frenchman was the first to reach the penultimate summit alone.  He was greeted by fans and a large French flag draped over the hedge on the side of the road.  Too far down in the King of the Mountains competition, Gougeard was more interested in the final summit and victory on the day.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Criterium%20du%20Dauphine/2804593-49-185083/Painting.html#.V1eTMpErLIU

Omloop Het Nieuwsblad: One of These Five

With just eight kilometers left to race and the peloton still over 45 seconds behind, it was looking like it would be one of these five men who would take out the win in Ghent.  Alexis Gougeard (Ag2r La Mondiale) was the only one left of the original 12 man break, it is a true testament to his form that he is still out front hanging on to the wheels of some much fresher and more favored riders.  He must have felt proud to know that he was hanging with the Rainbow Jersey of  Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) as well as Greg Van Avermaet (BMC), Tiesj Benoot (Lotto Soudal) and the ever fiesty, Luke Rowe (Team Sky).  Rowe wouldn't let Gougeard skip pulls on the front, nor was he about to give the Frenchman a free tow to the line.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson and Company, www.richesonart.com.  Plus this painting is avialable through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post to purchase your piece of this early spring semi-classic.  International shipping is available.

Then there is my new book of the 2015 Road World Championships entitled, Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships.  Available world wide and at www.artofcycling.bike.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2720336-256-195767/Painting.html#.VtMvD_krLIU