Fleche Wallonne '26: Jeune, Fort, et Francais

I apologize if the French is wrong in the title.  Translated, I hope it reads as "Young, Strong, and French".  Paul Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM) jumps free of the peloton claiming victory in Fleche Wallonne atop the Mur de Huy by three seconds over the rest of the peloton. With this win he becomes the youngest male cyclist to win at the tender age of nineteen! Behind him are Mauro Schmid (Jayco-Alula) and Ben Tulett (Visma-Lease a Bike) respectively finishing out the podium.  Benoit Cosnefroy (UAE Team Emirates) claimed fourth finishing six seconds ahead of the rest of the field.  As Bob Rolle and Christian Vandevelde, "the hype is real" referring to the young Seixas.  Will he eventually be the guy to finally reclaim the Tour de France for the French?

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. 

"Jeune, Fort, et Francais FW26-7" (Original art by Greig Leach) 

Fleche Wallonne '26: Inside the Final Kilometer

With a mere 600 meters until the finale, all of the favorites were massed at the front of the peloton waiting for the right moment to launch their attacks.  The front line was composed of two not expected to be there, Joan Bou (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA) and Ben Tulett (Visma-Lease a Bike) and the odds-on favorite Paul Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM).  The next row, theoretically better positioned, were the Swiss champion Mauro Schmiel (Jayco-Alula), Romain Gregoire (Groupama-FDJ-United) and Benoit Cosnefroy (UAE Team Emirates).  It was nice to see Alex Baudin (EF Education-EasyPost) leading up the remnants of those hoping to vie for the win at the summit of the Mur de Huy.

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.  

"Inside the Final Kilometer FW26-6" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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

Ronde Van Vlaanderen 23, Men's Race: Off in Search of the Others

With the small break away now successfully up the road the American Matteo Jorgensen (Movistar) decided it was a move he wanted to be in as well.  Ever the opportunist, Benoit Cosnefroy (Ag2r-Citroen) was quick to jump on to the tail with the M on it.  The two were successful in getting up to the leading group with another 90 kilometers to race.

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-/3943937-515-195767/Painting/off-in-search-of-the-others-rvv23-2.html

 

Flanders 2021: Is this a Move?

It may have been very early for it but this sure looked like a move to take the win, regardless that there were another 175 kilometers to race.  It was Remco Evenepoel (Belgium) riding off the front of the peloton on the cobbled climb of the Moskesstraat.  The fan holding up the sign with his name on it must have felt as though he was the one to inspire the move.  Benoit Cosnefroy (France) and Magnus Cort (Denmark) quickly jumped on to the wheel of the local rider.  The three build up a nice lead that it took the peloton 40 kilometers to pull back in. 

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-2021/3838924-28-292177/Painting/is-this-a-move-uci21-28.html

Tour, Stage 16: Au Revoir

When I painted (and titled) this, I thought this was the moment Benoit Cosnefroy (Ag2r La Mondiale) was going to be saying farewell to his Maillot a Pois.  Pierre Rolland (B&B Hotels-Vital Concept) had pulled even with him on points and there were still to categorized climbs to go in today's stage.  All Rolland had to do was score just one point and Cosnefroy's 15 days in the jersey would be over.  Spoiler alert, Rolland scored no more points, and count back determined that he would have at least on more day in the King of the Mountains jersey.  He was using the wheel of a countryman, Anthony Turgis (Total Direct Energie) to keep the fading peloton in side on the way up the Montee Saint Nizier de Moucherotte.  It is always a bad sign when the race referee car that follows the peloton and the Mavic neutral service vehicle pass you on the way up a climb.  The only race vehicle that will never pass you is the Broom Wagon, currently right on Caleb Ewan's wheel.

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-2020/3701739-110-282744/Painting/au-revoir-tdf20-104.html

Tour, Stage 8: Sprinting for More

Unlike Sagan earlier, Benoit Cosnefroy (Ag2r La Mondiale) wasn't leaving anything to chance as he sprinted out of the eight man break.  As Jerome Cousin (Total Direct Energie) watched his countryman go, he thought about trying to go with him, but didn't quite have the legs to match Cosnefroy's burst of speed at the top of the Col de Menthe.  Ilnur Zakarin (CCC) just kept churning over his pedals thinking of a stage victory at the end of the day.

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-2020/3693030-47-282744/Painting/sprinting-for-more-tdf20-42.html

Tour, Stage 7: Straight to Work

Today's stage started out hard right at the drop of the flag.  The first climb of the day was just 17 kilometers in, but it look like the peloton was climbing from kilometer 0.  Benoit Cosnefroy (Ag2r La Mondiale) went straight off the front to add to his King of the Mountain points in hopes of keeping his Maillot a Pois through the weekend (there are some big Pyrennian mountains on offer). 

Surprising the other sprinters, Bora-Hansgrohe (the team of Peter Sagan) went to the front and hammered it up to the top of the Cote de Luzencon trying to shed all of his sprint competitors, and the Green Jersey.  After Bora-Hansgrohe caught the Frenchman, they graciously let him cross the summit first.  They had no need for the two points on offer, so it was a gesture of civility that they motioned for Cosnefroy to get by them for the maximum points.

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-2020/3691869-40-282744/Painting/straight-to-work-tdf20-35.html

Tour, Stage 3: Dressing for Success

The rescheduled Tour de France has not provided the best weather thus far.  Today the peloton, and this break away, were in and out of rain showers all day.  This trio was off the front.  Benoit Cosnefroy (Ag2r La Mondiale) started the day in the Maillot a Pois, however he was even on points with the man on the front, Anthony Perez (Cofidis).  Jerome Cousin (Total Direct Energie) just saw a break away forming and jumped with the other two.  Perez got the best of Cosnefroy on the first two climbs of the day to become the leader of the KOM competition virtuale.  Alas, Perez crashed on the descent of the Col de la Faye, apparently into the back of his own team car, and broke his collar bone.  Clearly he was unable to continue with his Tour de France, leaving Cosnefroy in the continued possession of the Polka Dot Jersey of best climber.

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-2020/3688322-19-282744/Painting/dressing-for-success-tdf20-13.html

Tour, Stage 2: Getting Back on Terms

Benoit Cosenfroy (Ag2r La Mondiale) had been the first over the summit of the first climb of the day, the Col de la Colmaine.  However at the start of the next climb, the Col du Turini, he was dropped.  Ever courageous, he didn't resign to his fate, but kept riding at his own pace.  Apparently, he was able to recover and now was riding back up to his former break away companions.  Spoiler alert, his efforts were enough to get second on this climb.  The combined points was enough to earn him the Maillot a Pois, the jersey of the best climber in the Tour.  As a Frenchman, he was hoping to continue the three year run of one of his countrymen taking the King of the Mountain title all of the way to Paris.

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-2020/3687321-14-282744/Painting/getting-back-on-terms-tdf20-8.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 4: Quite an Advantage

Today's group of escapees (six strong) built up the biggest advantage yet allowed by the chasing peloton.  With 74 kilometers left to race, these guys had almost five minutes on the true contenders behind.  Three of those in the break include Herman Pernsteiner (Bahrain-Merida), Benoit Cosnefoy (Ag2r La Mondiale) and Miles Scotson (Groupama-FDJ).  Cosnefoy is still covered with bandages up and down his right side from his spectacular crash in the sprint at the end of Stage 2.  Clearly, pro cyclist deal well with pain.  After a similar crash in my early amateur career, I hung up my racing cleats.  I chose instead to focus on my more successful (then beginning) art career.

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-Down-Under/3286109-130-194179/PaintingQuite-an-Advantage--TDU19-12.html

Paris Tours: Bunny Hop

Wet roads, travel circles and speed are not the best recipe for safe riding.  Fortunately for Benoit Cosnefroy (Ag2r La Mondiale) he was able to stay upright when his teammate leaned into him on the slippery corner.  In fact Cosnefroy was able to help his teammate remain upright, although the bumping made it necessary for the Frenchman to hop over the curb to avoid crashing himself.  The duo were on the front of the peloton, so it could have been much worse save for the bike handling skills on display.  Unlike us average riders, these guys race for 10,000 kilometers a year and train for nearly as many kilometers.  Their bikes are as familiar as our own feet are.

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/Other-Cycling-Art/3047802-40-206768/PaintingBunny-Hop-PT-3.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