Tour de France Femmes 23, Stage 7: Going Again

Juliette Labous (DSM-firmenich) had tried twice to escape from the others on the Col du Tourmalet.  That didn't mean she wasn't going to try one more time to slip away from Demi Vollering (SD Worx-Protime), Annemiek Van Vleutin (Movistar), and Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio (AG Insurance-Soudal-Quick Step).  She was hoping they would be to busy watching each other to see her attack from the back of the group.  Alas, they weren't letting anyone else get away from them on the climb of the Tourmalet.

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-2023/3968943-187-297438/Painting/going-again-tdff23-43.html

 

Tour de France Femmes 23, Stage 7: Attacking on the Col d'Aspin

Just because everyone knows you are going to do something at a certain point, it doesn't mean they are going to be able to keep it from succeeding.  Once the last of her teammates had rolled off the front Annemiek Van Vleutin (Movistar) launched her attack on the Col d'Aspin.  Most had figured she wouldn't wait until the final climb, so it was expected.  At first the only two that could go with the acceleration were Katarzyn Niewiadoma (Canyon-SRAM) and Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio (AG Insurance-Soudal-Quick Step).  Trying to catch on, but not quite making the jump was Juliette Labous (DSM-firmenich).  This was looking like what would determine the final destination of the Maillot Jaune for the second edition of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift.  But there is about nine kilometers to climb on this category one climb and then it will be up to the top of the Haute Catagorie Col du Tourmalet.

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-2023/3968940-184-297438/Painting/attacking-on-the-col-daspin-tdff23-40.html

 

Tour de France Femmes 23, Stage 5: Seconds Matter

With two riders up the road there was just one more time bonus of two seconds still available as this trio broke free of the peloton of favorites.  Ashleigh Moolman-Passio (AG Insurance-Soudal-Quick Step) sprinted for the seconds despite Liane Lippert (Movistar) trying to grab the bonus in defense of her teammate Annemeik Van Vleutin.  Also vying for the bonus is Demi Vollering (SD Worx-Protime).  Moolman-Pasio got there first (well third actually) moving her into second place just two seconds ahead of three others and just over a minute ahead of Vollering.  She is still trailing the Maillot Jaune by forty-nine seconds.

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-2023/3968190-171-297438/Painting/seconds-matter-tdff23-27.html

 

Tour de France Femmes 23, Stage 5: You Wouldn't

Yesterday, Yara Kastelijn (Fenix-Deceuninck) lost her lead in the Queen of the Mountains competition to Anouska Koster (Uno-X).  However, she could consul herself with winning both the title of most combative rider of the stage, and more importantly, her first professional victory.  I suspect that is a fair trade off for most.  Apparently, not for her.  She went over the first climb first as her rival for the polka dots struggled to hold onto the back of the peloton.  As they neared the summit of the Cote de Laquepie she looked over at Amanda Spratt (Lidl-Trek) to see if she was going to contest for the points on offer in a couple of hundred meters.  Spratt shook her head.  She was looking for stage honors and had no reason to contest the sprint for points.  Nevertheless, Kastelijn took no chances and sprinted away to reclaim her Maillot a Pois.  Behind her, still wearing the Maillot Vert on loan from the race leader in yellow, Asheigh Moolman-Pasio (AG Insurance-Soudal-Quick Step) just watches in case someone launches an attack to get away from 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-2023/3968160-170-297438/Painting/you-wouldnt-tdff23-26.html

 

Tour de France Femmes 23, Stage 4: Attacking Her Rivals

Demi Vollering (SD Worx-Protime) in her magenta WWT Points Jersey has been having a very quiet opening stages of the Tour de France Femmes.  That is until the final climb of stage 4.  She jumped clear of the group of favorites as they neared the top of the Cote de Laverahe.  As Annemiek Van Vleutin (Movistar) in her Rainbow Jersey was fortunate that her teammate Sheyla Gutierrez had dropped back from the lead group to help Van Vleutin re-catch Vollering's wheel.  Behind Vollering's teammate Lotte Kopecky in the Maillot Jaune dropped away with both Elisa Longo Borghini (Lidl-Trek) - the Italian champion - and Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio (AG Insurance-Soudal-Quickstep).  I am just realizing as I type this that only one of six women in this painting are in their regular team kit.  It truly is a very elite group attacking the final categorized 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 $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-2023/3967884-166-297438/Painting/attacking-her-rivals-tdff23-22.html

Tour de France Femmes 23, Stage 3: Sprint Points

As in every stage with the exception of the time trial, there are sprint points to be had out on course.  Today they maximum points had been taken by the lone woman in the break away just shy of two minutes earlier.  As the peloton got to Badefols, it was Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime) coming out of the group outsprinting both the current wearer of the Maillot Vert, Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio (AG Insurance-Soudal-Quick Step) and her teammate in the Maillot Jaune (who is the owner of the Green Jersey, too) Lotte Kopecky.  With this move she pulls a few points closer to wearing the Maillot Vert either on loan or outright.  It does all depend on who finishes where when we get to Montignac Lascaux in just over twenty-six kilometers.

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-2023/3967643-158-297438/Painting/sprint-points-tdff23-14.html

 

Tour de France Femmes 23, Stage 2: Attacking Yellow

I was amused that the woman in the middle, Lotte Kopecky (Jumbo-Visma), is the one who owns all three of the jerseys in this painting, but she is in the Maillot Jaune, those in second place in the other two competitions wear the Maillot a Pois and the Maillot Vert.  I doubt Kopecky will own all three at the end of the day.  Particularly if the attack by Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon-SRAM) sticks.  All of them were sloshing through the wet roads, but at least now the sun had come out.  Perhaps it would for her as well.  If not Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio (AG Insurance-Soudal-Quick Step) was ready to jump both of them and go for the win in a mere three kilometers time herself.  With a small climb up to the finish it was going to take some strong legs to pull this one off.

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-2023/3967573-154-297438/Painting/attacking-yellow-tdff23-10.html

 

Tour de France Femmes 23, Stage 1: Attacking on the Climb

Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx) used the only categorized climb of the day to get a gap on the rest of the peloton.  Behind her Ashleigh Moolman Pasio (AG Insurance-Soudal-Quick Step), Evita Muzic (FDJ-Suez) and Veronica Ewers (EF Education-TIBCO-SVB) all must have assumed that the Belgium champion was just going for the Queen of the Mountain points and let her go.  That should have seemed like a bad idea.  Kopecky is known for going on long solo raids for victories and this was only another sixteen and a half kilometers to race for the first Maillot Jaune of the Tour de France Femmes.

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-2023/3967215-141-297438/Painting/attacking-on-the-final-climb-tdff23-3.html

 

Flèche-Wallone 23, Women’s Race: Getting a Gap

On the second time up the fabled Mur de Huy, this trio of the World Champion, Annemiek Van Vleutin (Movistar), Ashleigh Moolman Pasio (AG Insrance-Quick Step) and Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon-SRAM) were able to open up a gap on the rest of the peloton.  Just behind them Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek-Segafredo) struggles to join the move.  As they went over the top of the climb Borghini was able to join them as they built up a gap on the way down the other side of the ‘wall.’  

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/Spring-Classics-/3946368-537-195767/Painting/getting-a-gap-fwf23-1.html

Wollongong 2022, Women's Road Race: Getting the Jump

Annemiek Van Vleutin (Netherlands) had been off the back, just out of contention for most of the final two laps of the Wollongong city circuit.  She had started the day with a broken elbow that she suffered in the first 50 feet of the Mixed Team Relay.  But as those in the front group began to look at each other whilst going under the red kite, she came from the back at full speed.  As she flew past them at full speed they didn't jump on their pedals immediately.  A huge mistake! Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio (South Africa) looked first to see if any of those behind her were going to take up the chase.  On her wheel was Liane Lippert (Germany), Arlenis Sierra (Cuba), Elisa Longo Borghini (Italy) and Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig (Denmark).  They had all been racing flat out on the front and may have thought it was going to come down to a sprint betwixt themselves and just weren't ready for an attack from behind.  Nevertheless, Van Vleutin was not one they should have let get even a pedal stroke.  She may not be a great sprinter, but she is a strong time trialist, and will not be easy to pull back at any distance, but with less than a kilometer to race, it will be near impossible to catch her.

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/3907683-25-295031/Painting/getting-the-jump-uci22-25.html

Wollongong 2022, Women's Road Race: Three Chasing Two

While it was Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Poland) who started the attacks on the penultimate climb up Mount Pleasant, it was Elisa Longo Borghini (Italy) and Liane Lippert (Germany) who got off the front at the summit.  As the two went down the other side, Niewiadoma was aided in the chase by Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig (Denmark) and Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio (South Africa).  The three knew that the rainbow jersey may be up the road, so they were all three willing to work together to bring the others back.  Plus there were so other very strong riders behind working just as hard to chase them down as well.  With just 22 kilometers to race it was rather surprising to not see a Dutch rider in the mix.  The Netherlands has dominated the Worlds over the last decade taking seven of the ten gold medals.

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/3907626-24-295031/Painting/three-chasing-two-uci22-24.html

Tour Femmes '22, Stage 4: Chemin Blanc

The men's Tour had the cobbles used in Paris Roubaix.  Today the women got to race on the white gravel vineyard roads used in Paris Tours.  Both are difficult, dirty and can really change the complexion of the race for the Maillot Jaune at the end of the race.  As the peloton hit Sector 3, Chemin Blanc des Hautes Forets, it was the European Champion Ellen Van Dijk (Trek-Segafredo) pushing the pace for her teammates.  On her wheel are three of the women from Team SD Worx including Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio and Demi Vollering.  Not sure who the Movistar rider is who is moving up on her right.  It was a bit of a challenge to capture the visual sense of the clouds of dust, but nothing compared to what it must be to ride in it.

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-2022/3896026-163-294403/Painting/chemin-blanc-tdff22-22.html

Liege Bastogne Liege Femmes '22: On the Back Foot

As the break away and the peloton hit the penultimate climb, the Cote de la Redoute, the moves started.  Just ahead of the remains of the early break away is the fast disappearing leader, and race favorite, Annemiek Van Vleutin (Movistar).  Her attack had put the defending LBL champion, Demi Vollering (SD Worx) on the back foot.  Her teammate Ashleigh Molman Pasio went to the front and helped Vollering chase down the Movistar team leader.  Never one to miss a good move, Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek-Segafredo) jumped onto the wheel of Vollering knowing it was a good wheel to pull her up to the race leader.

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/Professional-Womens-Cycling/3881377-49-207546/Painting/on-the-back-foot-lbl22-9.html

Strade Bianche Donne: All Out with 1/2 a Kilometer to Go

I don't know why I used the mathmatical symbol rather than writing the word "half" I guess I'll blame my mathmatician father.  Whatever.  With just a half of a kilometer left to race, Annemieke Van Vleutin (Movistar) launches one hell of an attack on the final climb, a climb of 18%, to try once more to go for victory.  She was responding to the final effort of Ashleigh Moolman (SD Worx).  However, she wasn't able to shake Moorman's teammate, Lotte Kopecke, off of her wheel.   The pair had been sharing pulls to stay away from the peloton, yet the time for collaboration was over.

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/Professional-Womens-Cycling/3870239-33-207546/Painting/all-out-with-half-a-kilometer-to-go-sbd22-5.html

LBL Women: The Next to Try

This trio was the next to try and escape the clutches of the peloton of favorites.  Yet again, one of those in the break was a SD Worx rider, Ashleigh Moolman.  She was joined by Cecilie Uttrup Ludwid (FDJ Nouvelle Aquitaine Futuroscope), who is driving the pace at this point.  Rounding out the threesome is Lucinda Brand (Trek-Segafredo).  This group really has the power and the palmares to be a serious threat to run away with the race.  Staying away for another 34 kilometers might be a bit tough, but others have done as much just last year.  Unfortunatley for these ladies, that rider is chasing them from behind.

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/Spring-Classics-2021/3808285-44-290150/Painting/the-next-to-try-lbl21-9.html

Doha 2016, Elite Women's Road Race: Gapping the Peloton

As I said, the Dutch were attacking one after the other.  As soon as one rider was caught by the peloton, another would go.  This time it was one of my favorites, Chantal Blaak (Netherlands) who went out on the offensive.  Initially only Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio (South Africa) could stay with the Boels Dolmans rider.  It is nice to finally see some fans (or the merely curious) out along the side of the road today.  This grouping of lycra clad women being watched by Qatari men in traditional desert garb seemed like a poignant juxtaposition.  Behind you can just see one of the Australian women trying to bridge up to the fast disappearing duo.

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/Doha%202016%20UCI%20Road%20World%20Championships/2865774-51-227958/PaintingGapping%20the%20Peloton%20Doha51-Greig-Leach.html#.WAJz_uArLIU