Tour '25, Stage 9: Doctor's Visit

Georg Zimmermann (Intermarche-Wanty) had a crash that sent him sliding across the tarmac and into the rough grass at the side of the road. Since there are no time-outs in cycling, Zimmermann had to get his wounds dressed by hanging on to the medic's car as his abrasions were cleaned and bandaged.  The only time a rider is able to hold onto a race vehicle is when they are being treated by the race doctor.  I once had a similar crash in an amateur race.  I was done for the day.  I was also done with bike racing.  That was not the case with the German National Champion, he got up rode another sixty kilometers to finish the stage.  He arrived in Chateauroux looking more like a mummy than a cyclist with a large group seven minutes off of the time of the stage winner.

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.

"Doctor's Visit TdF25-54" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Down Under '23, Final Stage: The Next to Try

First it took quite a few attacks to form the thirteen man break away, but that group wasn't able to get even a minute ahead of the peloton.  So then it was time for some of those escapees to try and get away from the break away.  After one went, it was Maximilian Schachmann (Bora-Hansgrohe) who was the next to try to escape the grasps of both the break away and the peloton.  Success won't mean that he becomes the new Ochre Jersey, but there is a stage win to be had.

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-Down-Under/3929037-174-194179/Painting/the-next-to-try-tdu23-28.html

Flanders 2021: One Last Time!

As Tony Martin (Germany) rolled down the start ramp, I was saddened to learn that he announced today that this would be his last UCI Road World Championship.  Martin has held the Champion title in the Men's Elite Time Trial four times and many more national titles in Germany.  He is one of those guys I have always enjoyed watching race.  When the Worlds came to Richmond, VA I had the good fortune to meet his mother.  She, too, is a wonderful kind person.  She said she would bring him by so I could meet him but it just didn't happen.  

He was going out of racing still passing riders who had started before him.  He was second when he arrived in Bruges, but fell to seventh on the day.  Not a bad way to end a career racing in the Worlds (most never get a 7th for their entire racing career).  

By the way, his mother did buy one of my watercolors of Tony from the road race back in 2015.  I wonder in who's house it hangs.

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 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/Flanders-2021/3837389-6-292177/Painting/one-last-time-uci21-6.html

TDF, Stage 12: Are They Gone?

I guess I was wrong about what Nils Politt (Bora-Hasgrohe) was looking at in the previous post.  He must have been trying to gauge just how much his three break away companions had left to give.  Apparently what he saw led him to believe he could take off on his own.  And he felt sure he could hold them off all of the way to the line.  With just nine kilometers left to the line in Nimes, he had twelve seconds on the other three, over a minute to the other members of the early break, and a full fifteen minutes to the peloton that contained the Maillot Jaune.  Politt has yet to win a stage in the Tour in his career.  If I remember what Phil Liggett and Bob Roll had to say correctly, he hasn't won a race in his professional career (plenty of seconds and podium finishes but no wins).  The team lost there marquee sprinter due to injury, Peter Sagan, at the start of the stage, so there may be some extra motivation to win one for the team as it were.

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 it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg 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/3822722-76-291436/Painting/are-they-gone-tdf21-75.html

Dauphine, Stage 4: Keeping Yellow

It is said that the Yellow Jeresy gives a rider wings.  That may or may not be true, but it did help Lukas Postlberger (Bora-Hansgrohe) laid down a great ride in today's time trial.  The Austrian started the day with a two second lead over the sprinter, Sonny Colbrelli.  The Italian wasn't too much concern in a hilly time trial (although he did an excellent ride on his own), but the GC riders were all hunting both the stage victory and to take over Postlberger's yellow kit.  So it was that Alexey Lutsenko (Astana-Premier Tech) took the stage, but wasn't able to dislodge the Maillot Jaune.  Postlberger will start stage 5 still in yellow, but only by one second.  And the others are lining up behind with the main contenders all within a minute of the current race leader.

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/3814956-104-185083/Painting/keeping-yellow-cd21-20.html

Dauphine, Stage 2: One Last Peek

 Lukas Postlberger (Bora-Hansgrohe) allowed himself one more peek over his shoulder as he came within meters of the line in Saugues.  Postlberger had dropped each and everyone of his break away companions and kept the peloton at bay.  For the second day in a row, it was a solo attack from the break the won the stage.  And like yesterday, the leader's Maillot Jaune was the prize along with stage honors at the end of the day.  And again it was Sonny Colbrelli (Bahrain Victorious) who took second place leading the rest of the peloton home for the second day running.  At least he now has the Maillot Vert outright.

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/3814599-93-185083/Painting/one-last-peek-cd21-9.html

Tour, Stage 16: Pure Power

Pure power is the only description for how Lennard Kamna (Bora-Hansgrohe) won his first stage in the Tour de France.  He simply road away from four quality riders from near the top of the final big climb of the day.  He then increased his lead as he crossed the valley and up into the finishing town of the Villard de Lans.  We have all been expecting an image of a Bora-Hansgrohe rider raising his arms in victory, but we had expected it to be Kamna's teammate, Peter Sagan.  Although, he would usually already be in the Green Jersey of the leader of the sprint competition.  It is still uncertain if Sagan will be able to win his eighth Maillot Vert by the time we reach Paris.

This painting is the last I will be doing prior to under going surgery tomorrow morning early.  I will be donating one of my kidneys in a paired donor exchange.  Later tomorrow, my wife Bridget will be recieving a kidney transplant from a different donor as mine goes off to another recipient.  I hope to be able to continue to paint the Tour from the hospital and from home as I recover, but I doubt seriously I wll be painting Stage 17 live (or even on the same day) after all as the peloton goes up the Col de la Madeleine, I will be having a kidney removed from my body.  This seems to be an appropriate title to go into the surgeries with.

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-2020/3701770-113-282744/Painting/pure-power-tdf20-107.html

Strade Bianche, Closing In

With Jakob Fulgsang (Astana) alone up the road, it was this quartet that had to give chase.  As they road up another of the gravel sections, Davide Formolo (UAE Team Emirates) lead Alberto Bettiol (EF Pro Cycling) followed by the fast closing Maximilian Schachmann (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Wout Van Aert (Jumbo Visma).  Along the side of the road the tifosi were out, many wearing masks and all keeping a safe distance from each other.  One of their main interactions with the racers was to pour their cold water bottles, a much appreciated gesture, over the over-heated athletes.

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/3609670-8-280747/Painting/closing-in-sb20-8.html

Paris Nice, Stage 4: Building on His Advantage

It has been said that the Maillot Jaune gives you wings.  Max Schachmann (Bora-Hansgrohe) was certainly flying around the 15 kilometer individual time trial course today.  As the last to go, he knew the time splits of everyone that had gone before (a distinct advantage give the leader of the race).  While the German wasn't able to win the stage, he only missed the mark by two seconds, he was able to build on his lead over all of the pre-race favorites.  It is beginning to look like he will carry yellow all of the way to Nice.  And then there is the possiblity that the race will be stopped at any point along the route for fear of the spread of the Corona Virus.  It happened during the Tour of the United Emirates, where the race was called with two stages left to 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/Paris-Nice/3489821-18-272742/Painting/building-on-his-advantage-pn20-18.html

Tour, Stage 16: Iceman Cometh

It has gotten quite hot in the south of France for stage 16 of the Tour.  Here Tony Martin's (Jumbo-Visma) comes up to pass him a nylon stocking full of ice.  His teammate then drifted down the peloton handing out ice pack from his musette to every member of the Dutch team.  A big part of surviving the stage (and the rest of the Tour) will be staying as cool as possible and fully hydrated.

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%202019/3364381-88-263530/Iceman%20Cometh%20%20TDF19-88.html

Tour, Stage 15: Leading Up the Hill

Sure that he had the legs to leave everyone behind, Simon Geschke (CCC) went off on his own on the climb of the Mur de Peguere.  Geschke has been the main chaser of break aways for his team over the years so he must have been excited to be off the front for himself.  He does have one Tour stage win in his resume, but that wouldn't diminish his joy in claiming another.

Watch this painting come together in a time lapse painting 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%202019/3363349-83-263530/Leading%20Up%20the%20Hill%20%20TDF19-83.html

Tour, Stage 9: Plowing a Lone Furrow

When I saw the three from the previous post, I didn't realize this was who they were chasing.  Lukas Postlberger (Bora-Hansgrohe) was the first to attack the fifteen man break, and the first to get 30 seconds on those chasing.  I am sure Postlberger was hoping to add to the team's stage wins, and the team was equally happy to share the love.  Alas, it wasn't to be, the final climb proved to much for the former Austraian champion.

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

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202019/3359991-47-263530/Plowing%20a%20Lone%20Furrow%20%20TDF19-47.html

Tour, Stage 13: Where's Peter?

As they rode under the three kilometers to go banner, Marcus Burghardt (Bora-Hansgrohe) look back over his shoulder for his sprinter, Peter Sagan.  All he could see was the Trek-Segafredo train being lead by the former King of the Mountians, Toms Skujins.  Behind were the Maillot Jaune, riders from EF Education First, but Sagan was no where to be seen.

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/Tour-de-France-2018/3190731-72-251072/PaintingWhere's-Peter?-T18-71.html

Giro, Final Stage: Attacking the Bell Lap

On the final lap through the streets of Rome, a small group got away led by Tony Martin (Katusha-Alpecin).  He went clear of the rest as they crested the only climb of the day.  Just to his left are the Spanish Steps leading back down to the piazza.  His route will include a couple of tight hair pin turns before encircling the piazza on their way back to the Coloseum.  Just off of the piazza is a small church that houses on of Caravaggio's best paintings, the Crucifixion of St. Peter.  Oddly it is located in a dimly lit side altar, although a few euros will bring it to brilliant light for a few minutes.  I digress.  With a rider like Tony Martin, it will be a big effort for the sprinters' lead out trains to re-establish control at the front 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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/101st-Giro-dItalia/3170397-96-249297/PaintingAttacking-the-Bell-Lap--G18-100.html

Giro, Stage 15: Choosing His Line

Nico Denz (Ag2r La Mondiale) gave a text book demsonstration of how to descend a mountain today.  His drop off of the Passo di Sant'Antoino opened up a sizable gap on his erstwhile break away companions.  However his speed down the mountain left him alone as he crossed the valley floot.  There was a great helicopter shot of the descent where you could see him about six turns ahead of the peloton as they all snaked their way down the mountain.  They may have been quite close together by the way the crow flies, but they were almost two minutes apart on the road.

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.

Apparently, my website has decided not to let me load images today.  If you are interested in this painting, please email me at greigsart@gmail.com.  All payments can be routed through PayPal for your security, and mine.

Bergen 2017, Elite Men's Road Race, Enthusiastic

With the peloton "gruppo compacto" it was now the time when riders were attacking one after the other.  Marco Haller (Austria) chose his spot well.  On the fan packed climb of Salmon Hill, amongst hundreds of Norwegian flags and thunderous cheers of "Heia, heia!" he opened up a gap on an inattentive peloton.  All Worlds long I have been hearing the heia cheer, and it sounds like a good Southern greeting as in "Hi, ya' (short for Hi, y'all)."  Many riders have tweeted about just how exciting it was to ride up this hill with all of the support along the roadside.  It must have been truly inspiring for any of the Norwegian riders.

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/3038037-51-239826/PaintingEnthusiastic--Bergen-51.html

Bergen 2017, Elite Men's Road Race: Warming Up

As the peloton came onto the 11 lap circuit, after having already gotten 39 kilometers into their legs, they were definitely warming up.  With the feed zone and scores of soigneurs just up the road, many like Nikias Arndt (Germany) decided to pull off a layer or two.  Just ahead of the disrobing Germany was Luke Durbridge (Australia).  I always feel a bit sheepish about one of my paintings of Durbridge from 2014.  He was accidentally knocked over by a soigneur on an opposing team in the Tour de France.  He jumped back up and pushed the offender over, got back on his bike and rode on.  I capture that moment in my book, "Book du Tour".  I have been trying to show his better side ever since.  This duo was letting a bit of a gap open, but with Durbridge's power, it will be closed in a heartbeat.

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/3038016-48-239826/PaintingWarming-Up--Bergen-48.html

Bergen 2017, U23 Men's Road Race: The Freshest Legs

It may have just come down to who had the freshest legs of this pair.  Lennard Kamna (Germany) had gone on the first of the bigger lumps on the final lap and had just completed the Veulta a Espana for Team Sunweb.  Benoit Cosnefroy (France) had let his teammate chase on the climbs and then attacked on the final descent of Salmon Hill.  Both had the power to hold off the closing peloton, reaching the line just a few seconds ahead of those behind.  But it was Cosnefroy who let the pair for the final kilometer and Kamna just didn't have enough to jump out a sprint for the win.  Cosnefroy takes the Gold and the Rainbow Jersey with Kamna having to be satisfied with Silver.  Both can be proud of pulling off the upset by winning in a break away.

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/3037164-38-239826/PaintingThe-Freshest-Legs--Bergen-38.html

Bergen 2017, U23 Men's Road Race: Did I Do It Alone?

The peloton seemed unwilling or unable to go catch the lone figure of Lennard Kamna (Germany) so it was another rider for the French team, Benoit Cosnefroy, who jumped free on the descent of Salmon Hill.  Cosnefroy is looking back over his shoulder to make sure he doesn't have anyone else on his wheel.  He had put in a huge effort to carch the German, and he didn't want anyone taking a free ride in his slipstream.  Speaking of slipstream, the camera moto got in Cosnefroy's way on the descent, not realizing just how fast the Frenchman was gaining of the lone leader.  You can see that while Cosnefroy is looking back, Kamna is peeking under his arm to see who has managed to chase him down.  Now, can they work together to keep the rest of the peloton from catching them?

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/3037155-37-239826/PaintingDid-I-Do-It-Alone?--Bergen-37.html

Bergen 2017, U23 Individual Time Trial: Going Left

The landscape around Bergen, and the city itself as been a real treasure to see during these races.  When I was painting the Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships, I knew every inch of road that the riders were traversing and had ridden them all as well.  Here in Bregen, I don't have that local knowledge, so I can't tell you why the road splits around this building, but I can enjoy painting it.  The Luxemberger, Tobias Wirtgen, was charging back down to the finish line hoping to post a medal worthy time at the line.  When he did arrive he slotted into the Bronze Medal position.  He stayed in the third hot seat until the finish of the third to last rider, thus ending his day just off of the podium.

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/3034581-14-239826/PaintingGoing-Left--Bergen-14.html