Tour de France 23, Stage 8: The Chaser Is Now the Chasee

There are certain constants in the Tour de France.  One of those is that you will find Tim Declercq (Soudal-Quick Step) on the front of the peloton chasing down a break away most every flat to semi-flat stage of teh Tour.  Not today.  Today it was 'the tractor' off the front with two companions.  Anthony Delaplace (Arkea-Samsic) and Anthony Turgis (TotalEnergies) must have been thrilled to have the man usually responsible for killing their break away dreams, helping them to have a chance to fulfill them.  As they headed up the Cat 3 climb of the day, the Cote de Champs Romain, they had almost five minutes on the peloton.  It is still a stage marked down as on for the sprinters, so their chances of success are slim.  But with Declercq, they are a little less slim than they would have been otherwise.

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-2023/3964389-43-297438/Painting/the-chaser-is-now-the-chasee-tdf2343.html

Tour de France 23, Stage 4: Is this Going to Work?

I am quite sure that Benoit Cosnefroy (Ag2r-Citroen) knew well the answer to the title of this painting.  Yet, he seemed to be asking it of his countryman Anthony Delaplace (Arkea-Samsic) just the same.  The pair had slipped off the front of the peloton just after the sprinters finished the intermediate sprint.  To their chagrin no one else came along in the effort.  So it is almost certainly doomed given the clearly designed stage for the sprinters.  I am sure with the mountains looming tomorrow, the fast guys weren't going to let their chance to shine slip away.  And if you are wondering, they were back in the peloton about 30 kilometers later never having gotten more than a minute ahead of the peloton.

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-2023/3963723-21-297438/Painting/is-this-going-to-work-tdf23-22.html

Dauphine, Stage 2: Looking for More

 After the exploits of his teammate yesterday, Matthew Holmes (Lotto Soudal) didn't want to let the team down. With Holmes in the break it was ensured that the polka dot jersey would stay in the team even if it wasn't going to stay with the current race leader, Brent Van Moer.  As the break neared the top of the Cote d'Auvers, it was Holmes going for the maximum points with only Anthony Delaplace (Arkea Samsic) keeping the Brit honest.  It looked like both Lukas Postlberger (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Shane Archbold (Deceuninck-Quick Step) were going to save their energy and keep the fight going for staying off the front.

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/3814415-90-185083/Painting/looking-for-more-cd21-6.html

Tour, Stage 3: Celebrating the Attempt

The early break away was inevitably caught with about thirty kilometers left in the stage.  Yoann Offredo (Wanty-Gobert) made it a point to fist bump all of his break away companions (minus the one still up the road, Tim Wellens - Lotto Soudal).  As Stephane Rosetto (Cofidis) looked back after his fist bump Paul Ourselin reached out his fist in turn.  Behind him, Anthony Delaplace (Arkea Samsic) would just have time for the celebratory gesture before they were all caught by the fast closing 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%20de%20France%202019/3357407-13-263530/Celebrating%20the%20Attempt%20%20TDF19-13.html

Tour, Stage 1: The Arrival of the Peloton

When asked about the changes of the break away succeeding all the way to the end of the stage, Jens Voigt (now commentating for NBC Sports) replied, "as much as a drop of water in hell."  So beautifully put, and so accurately as well.  Anthony Delaplace (Fortuneo Vital Concept) glances back over his shoulder to discover that the peloton is very close behind indeed.  Delaplace and his companion, Alex Howes (Cannondale-Drapac) were the last two left off the front of the original break away.  Coincidentally, the pair had a bit of a struggle getting across to the now missing three from the original escape.  Delaplace would eventually garner the "most agressive rider" prize for his efforts on the day.  Perhaps a bit of a French bias, n'est pas?

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%202016/2817379-5-224974/PaintingThe%20Arrival%20of%20the%20Peloton%20TdF5-Greig-Leach.html#.V3f3nLgrLIU

Tour de France Stage 7: Looking for the Pack

Anthony Delaplace (Bretagne Seche) takes a quick peak under his arm to see just how close the chasing peloton had gotten.  The quartet that included his teammate, Brice Feillu, along with Luis Mate (Cofidis) and Kristijan Durasek (Lampre-Merida).  Daniel Telkehaimant (MTN-Qhubeka) had already drifted back to the peloton having accomplished the objective of the day.  The others had pushed on despite the near certainty of being caught by the sprinters and their teams.

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 (www.richesonart.com).  They are a wonderful family run art supply company located in the northern mid-west of the United States.  This painting, and all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for only $60 USD just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Don't delay, this is an original watercolor, so when it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2578936---210122/Painting.html#.VaAZZPlViko

Tour de France Stage 7: A Dream Fulfilled

The feel good story of this Tour, so far, is that of the Eritrean, Daniel Telkehaimanet (MTN-Qhubeka).  As the story is being reported, as a young kid in Africa he would watch tapes of the Tour de France and dream of one day getting to race the Grand Boucle.  Rather than imagine himself in the Maillot Jaune, he would imagine himself wearing the Maillot a Pois.  Here he is this many years later, wearing the jersey as the fruit of his labors from Stage 6.  With one Category 4 climb at the start of the stage today, Telkeaimanet went in the break that was formed by Luis Mate (Cofidis).  The pair were joined by the pair of riders from Bretagne-Seche, Anthony Delaplace and Brice Feillu, and Kristijan Durasck (Lampre-Merida).  With the pancake flat stage elevation after the small climb, this stage was sure to be one for the sprinters, but if you don't go in the break, you have no chance of winning the stage.

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 (www.richesonart.com).  They are a wonderful family run art supply company located in the northern mid-west of the United States.  This painting, and all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for only $60 USD just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Don't delay, this is an original watercolor, so when it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2578922---210122/Painting.html#.VaAVPflViko

Paris Nice Stage 1: Off on Their Own

On paper the first road stage of  Paris Nice looked to be one for the sprinters, however, ever aggressive Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) had something else in mind.  Voeckler was joined in a very long break away attempt by fellow countyman, Anthony Delaplace (Bretagne-Seche).  Voeckler became the darling of French cycling by a similar move that put him into the Yellow Jersey for 10 days in the Tour de France.  I am sure he was hoping to have a similar result today.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  In addition, the painting is 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 for only $50 USD.  International shipping is available.

If you are enjoying reading about cycling with this accompanying artwork be sure to check out my recently publish book on the Tour de France, Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France.  The book is available through most every online book sellers around the world, just google the title to learn where you can get your copy and avoid international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2522852---195767/Painting.html#.VP53vfzF-xU

Paris-Nice Stage 2: Staying Off the Front

Another stage and another break away made up of the invitational teams.  Aleksejs Saramotins (IAM Cycling) and Anthony Delaplace (Team Bretagne) got away from the peloton with just 2 1/2 kilometers covered.  Delaplace was the first to surrender but the stronger Saramotins managed to hold off the rest of riders until less than 10 kilometers left to cover.  He is trying to make himself as aerodynamic as possible having slid forward off of the saddle and nearly resting his chin on the handlebars.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that could be yours by visiting my artist website, www.greigleach.com or you could just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%202014/2325465---195767/Painting.html#.Ux5hmM_D_IU