Tour Down Under, Stage 2: Ramping It Up

Using the final ascent of the Fox Creek climb the trio of Luke Plapp (Jayco-Alula), Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal-Quick Step) and Jonathan Narvaez (Ineos-Grenadiers) jumped off the front of the peloton all in hopes of stealing the sprinters thunder in just another eight and a half kilometers.  Moments after I painted this, Alaphilippe swung off unable to hold the pace of the Australian Champion.

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-Down-Under/3995731-185-194179/Painting/ramping-it-up.-tdu24-8.html

Tour de France Femmes, Stage 8, Just Underway

It was a treat to see Grace Brown (FDJ-Suez) start out the final stage of this Tour de France Femmes in her Australian National TT Champion's jersey.  I've got to say that FDJ know how to make a great looking national jersey for both the women and the men.  I'm talking to you UAE Team ADQ and UAE Team Emirates.  Brown got underway in Pau to a ride that was the best time as she finished her loop out and back to Pau.  She ended her day in fourth overall once those vying for the podium of the Tour had had their say.  She did well to finish the Tour in 35th as she rode in service of her teammates throughout the previous seven days of racing.

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-2023/3969042-190-297438/Painting/just-underway-tdff23-46.html

 

Tour Down Under '23, Stage 1: Sprinting to the Top

Nans Peters (Ag2r-Citroen) tried to attack early on the final climb up Menglers Hill, but was soon caught by his closest rival in the King of the Mountains competition, Luke Plapp (Ineos-Grenadier).  However, Plapp attacked after catching Peters while bedecked in his brand new Australian National Champion's jersey.  Yet, it was Alessandro Covi (UAE Team Emirates) who got over the top first.  But Plapp's second place over both categorized climbs of the Menglers Hill was enough for him to be the one to pull on the Polka Dot Jersey on the podium 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 $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/3928011-154-194179/Painting/sprinting-to-the-top-tdu23-8.html

Paris Nice: It'll Be Good

Rohan Dennis (Jumbo-Visma) looked good in his new Time Trial Champion of Australia jersey.  It looks even better with the rainbow stripes around the collar as the former world champion in this discipline.  Jumbo-Visma has been having an amazing Paris Nice due in part to the power of Dennis on the front of the peloton.  It was not a big surprise when he went through the intermediate time check with the new best time, and just the same has he posted the best time at the finish line in Montlucon.  He ended the day with the third best time after the yellow jersey finished his ride.

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/3871388-52-272742/Painting/itll-be-good.html

Giro, Stage 16: Looking for Stage Honors

Rohan Dennis (BMC), the time trial champion of Australia, went out looking for a time trial stage win today.  He was just two seconds off of the pace in the opening TT in Jerusalem to kick off the 101st Giro d'Italia.  It was two seconds he made up the next day to pull on the Maglia Rosa for two stages while racing in Israel.  I doubt he expected to regain the over all lead, but he certainly found the stage victory he wanted.  He finished twnety two seconds ahead of the current time trial world champion as well as fourteen seconds ahead of the four time champion, Tony Martin (Katusha-Alpecin).  His time today did move him into sixth overall, leaving his in striking distance of the podium in Rome.

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/3166968-65-249297/PaintingLooking-for-Stage-Honors--G18-70.html

Giro d'Italia, Stage 1: What He Does Best

When Rohan Dennis (BMC), bedecked in his Australian Time Trial Champion jersey, crossed the line he was the one with the new best time.  He would have to wait quite some time to see if it would be enough to win the stage (and the first Maglia Rosa of the 101st Giro).  In fact it would be until the final rider of the day came to the finish before he would know the anwser.

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/3157921-2-249297/PaintingWhat-He-Does-Best-G18-2.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 3: Right Hander

Mitchelton-Scott seemed to have it all in hand as they hit the right and then left turns that led into the final meters of the race into Victor Harbour.  As we have seen, it was Daryl Impey playing pilot fish for the Australian national champion, Alexander Edmondson and the Ochre Jersey clad Caleb Ewan.  Behind the Mitchelton-Scott train, all ot the other sprinter's and teams were trying to see if they had a chance of disrupting the seemingly inevitable second stage win by Ewan.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com. To purchase this artwork, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  And yes, international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3099389-107-194179/PaintingRight-Hander-TDU18-14.html

Tour Down Under Stage 3: Doing the Work

With the leader's Ochre Jersey on the back of their team leader, Richie Porte, it was time for BMC to do the work of pulling back the break.  Doing the lion share of the effort was the neo-pro Miles Scotson who is also the brand new Australian national champion.  Joining him in the effort are two of his teammates, Francisco Ventoso and Danilo Wyss  The last time I remember painting Scotson was when he was on the ground after crashing in the Under 23 Road World Championships in 2015 in Richmond Virginia.  Scotson had crashed on the same piece of road that has bitten off some of my skin in the past.

The painting of Scotson along with all of the action of the 2015 UCI Road World Championships are available in my book Art of Cycling:  Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships available at www.artofcycling.bike

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/Tour%20Down%20Under/2906639-109-194179/PaintingDoing%20the%20Work%20TDU17-11.html#.WIDkdfkrLIU

Tour of Britain, Stage 7b: A Huge Effort

After others had tried to escape from the peloton on the climb, but the hill had proved too much, it was Rohan Dennis (BMC) who got away at the summit.  If anyone could ride away from the whole of the peloton, it was the former World Hour Record holder.  Dennis had taken second this morning in the time trial, just three seconds slower than the winner, Tony Martin (Etixx-Quickstep).  No one else had the legs to ride as fast as this Australian in the morning, and it seems none could do it this afternoon either.  Dennis won the stage by six seconds over the field and was rewarded with a ten second time bonus and the points jersey in the bargain.  He now sits just twenty six seconds off the lead of Steve Cummings (Dimension Data) and just twelve seconds ahead of the former points jersey wearer, Tom Dumoulin (Giant-Alpecin).  It is unlikely that tomorrow's 99 kilometer circuit race on the streets of London will do much to alter the podium standings, but one never knows until it is done.  One thing is certain, Xandro Meurisse (Wanty Group Gobert) will keep the King of the Mountains Jersey (well almost he still has to finish the stage tomorrow).

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/Tour%20of%20Britain/2849937-82-189075/PaintingA%20Hugh%20Effort%20ToB56-Greig-Leach.html#.V9S0D5grLIU

Tour of California, Stage 6, Holding a Little Back

Rohan Dennis (BMC) - the current Australian Time Trial Champion - had the advantage of knowing just how is teammate, Taylor Phinney, managed to post the current best time on the day.  Dennis was not leading as he rounded the U-turn and headed for home, but he had obviously held something in reserve for the assault into the wind.  Dennis was on a ride that would ultimately give him the stage victory.

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.  This painting along with my book, "Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI World Road Racing Championships," 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.  Remember, it is a one of a kind piece, so once it is sold, it is no longer available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20California/2794055-32-223355/Painting.html#.V0C32vkrLIU

Giro Stage 14: Cheating the Wind

Richie Porte (Sky) is the Australian National Time Trial Champion, so he hit the start ramp in Treviso not in the black and blue of the Team Sky kit, but instead wearing the national colors of Australia.  I painted and titled this piece before I knew just what kind of ride the Aussie was having today.  Porte has been having a very tough second week of the Giro.  Between losing time on climbs, suffering from the "Wheelgate" time penalty and getting caught up in pile ups outside of the magical 3 kilometer mark, he has continued to slide down the general classification.  Stage 13 and the time trial should have been his chance to shine, but instead of Porte cheating the wind, it turned out to be the other way around.

This is an original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company, www.richesonart.com.  This painting is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To buy this particular painting for only $50 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  International shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2558888---184157/Painting.html#.VWFtTflViko

Paris Nice Final Stage: Climbing Into Yellow

Richie Porte (Team Sky) resplendent in his National kit of the Australian Time Trial Champion started the day in second overall hoping to make up over 30 seconds on the Lotto Soudal Frenchman, Tony Gallopin.  Porte was confident he could get into the final Maillot Jaune having scaled the final road stage climb 25 seconds faster than his adversary.  Like his teammate, Geraint Thomas, Porte fell hard on the descent off of that mountain but was fortunate to jump back up uninjured.  Obviously as indicated by the spectators in serious rain gear, it wasn't the best conditions to race in, but Porte could take comfort knowing that today's climb would not be followed by a descent.  Porte's ride was enough to condition the recent tradition of whomever wins this time trial also wins the Race to the Sun.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting, along with all of my art of the 72nd Paris Nice, 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.  If you are enjoying reading about bike races with the accompanying artwork please be sure to check out my recently published, Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France.  The book is available through virtually every online bookseller around the world.  Just google the title to find out where you can get your copy while avoiding international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2525984---195767/Painting.html#.VQXPUo7F-xU

Paris Nice Prologue: Time to Climb

One of the internal rivalry in today's Prologue Time Trial was between Rohan Dennis (BMC) and this man, Richie Porte (Team Sky).  Porte just beat Dennis in the Australian National Time Trial Championships, so it is he that gets to race in the National Colors of Australia in today's race against the clock.  However it was Dennis that got the better of Porte today, possible with a Yellow Jersey on the line for the winner of this part of the rivalry.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that 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 page.  The paintings are only $50 USD and international shipping is available.  You know you want one!

If you are enjoying reading about cycling events with this accompanying art work, be sure to search out my recently publish book of the Tour de France entitled, Book de Tour- Art of the 101st Tour de France.  You can find it in almost any online book seller worldwide, just google the title and safe on international shipping.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2522132---195767/Painting.html#.VPyFwPzF-xU

Tour Down Under Final Stage: A Final Salute

On the penultimate lap of the final stage of the Tour Down Under a rather large pile up took out a number of members of the peloton, many others were so slowed down that they were never going to see the front end of the race again.  One of those caught out was the celebrated sprinter, Marcel Kittel (Giant-Alpecin).  But not to discredit the powerful fast men that made it to the line, it was Wooter Wippert (Drapac) the lone Dane riding for an Australian team, who threw his arms up in victory on the streets of Adelaide.  Daryl Impey's 5th place finish secured his Points Jersey, and with Rohan Dennis and Cadel Evans (BMC) both managing to be ahead of the crash, Dennis won the 2015 Tour Down Under and Cadel Evans claimed a podium position in his last ProTour race.  Jack Bobridge proved that his efforts on the first ascent of Willunga Hill was enough to win the King of the Mountains Jersey.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that 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.  If you have enjoyed reading this coverage of the Tour Down Under, be sure to check out my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France".  You can order your copy from the publisher's website here, http://www.dementimilestonepublishing.com/#!book-de-tour/c1nth

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2501692---194179/Painting.html#.VMSrd9g5DIU

Tour Down UnderStage 4: Home Town Boy

The Australian riders in the Tour Down Under have now won three out of the four stages and have been the only racers to wear the Ochre Jersey of race leader.  Today it was Steele Von Hoff (UniSA-Australia) who was able to raise his arms in victory, taking the stage ahead of Daryl Impey (Orica-GreenEdge) and Wooter Wippert (Drapac).  Incidently, the top three finishers all ride for Australian teams, so it really has been a Tour for the local boys!

This is a small original water color and ink painting that is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  If you are enjoying reading about this Tour, please check out my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France" available online world wide.  Google the title to find out where you can purchase your copy without having to pay international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2500584---194179/Painting.html#.VMH9U9g5DIU

Giro Day Nineteen: Nice and Flat

Today was no exception to the pattern of early break aways getting five or six minutes on the peleton but the anticipation of another mass sprint made this effort as doomed as most.  The stage was dominantly flat today as the cyclist spun through vineyards, factories and cities.  This break was comprised of Belkov of Katusha, Rubiano of Androni, Dockx of Lotto and Durbridge the Australian National Champion and rider for Orica-Greenedge.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard and it can be yours by visiting my artist website.  Just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2153371---184157/Painting.html#.UaVUEs_D_IU