TDF, Stage 19: He Isn't Here

With six guys already up the road by the time the peloton got to the intermediate sprint in Saint Sever, there wasn't many points left in the competition to wear the Maillot Vert.  The long drag up to the sprint suited Cavendish's main competitors, Micheal Matthews (BikeExchange) and Sonny Colbrelli (Bahrian-Victorious).  Matthews looked back over his shoulder to see where everyone was as he went to the line.  I think Colbrelli was looking around trying to figure out why they were seeing the leadout for Cav from his team.  Matthews' teammate, Luka Mezgec, was on the wheel of the Italian champion ready to jump off after anyone who challenge his guys lead across the sprint point.

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/2021-Tour-de-France/3824334-124-291436/Painting/he-isnt-here-tdf21-123.html

TDF, Stage 18: Ensuring Green Is His

Before I started writing this, I thought I best double check the math.  There are still 140 points available in the competition for the Maillot Vert.  So while it is mathematically possible that Michael Matthews (BikeEschange) could taken the jersey off of the shoulders of Mark Cavendish (Deceuninck-Quick Step) it is unlikely that he will.  In today's intermediate sprint (and every previous sprint) Matthews just couldn't come around the Manx Missles.  Each man had their respective lead out guys, Michael Morkov for Cav and Luka Mezgec for Matthews.  And each lead out man had to slow to allow their guy to get the most points available.  However, Morkov made sure he crossed the sprint point ahead of Matthews, giving Cav a gain of two points in the competition.  None of these guys will be around the front of the race for the finish of today's stage atop Luz Ardiden.

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/2021-Tour-de-France/3824233-116-291436/Painting/ensuring-green-is-his-tdf21-115.html

TDF, Stage 17: Neutral Service

While I miss the bright yellow of the Mavic service vehicles, I would much rather ride Shimano components.  My first race bike, way back in the 70s had Simplex and Mavic parts, and the Shimano groupset I have now is so much better.  Unfortunately for Estaban Chaves (BikeExchange) he had a flat tire and the base of the final climb of the day, the Col du Portet.  Never a good time to have a mechanical, but it was even worse with his team car so far down the road.  That is the point of having neutral service.  They ride behind each group on the road (until there are just too many groups) ready to lend support to whomever may need it.  It was a quick change and Chaves was able to catch back onto the splintering peloton further up the climb.

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/3824068-109-291436/Painting/neutral-service-tdf21-108.html

TDF, Stage 16: Here Comes Another One

This threesome of Jan Bakelants (Intermache-Wanty Gobert), Fabien Doubey (TotalEnergies) and Christopher Juul-Jensen (BikeExchange) had gotten off the front at the intermediate sprint.  They continued to press their advantage on the Col de la Core.  Behind them was the Austrian National Champion, Patrick Konrad (Bora-Hansgrohe) who seemed to be closing fast.  The Austrian got on terms shortly after I painted this.  But that wasn't enough for Konrad.  He split the group up with only the strongest avle to hold his wheel.  Behind him is one of the several TV Cameramen catching the race from the back of a motocycle.

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/3823758-101-291436/Painting/here-comes-another-one-tdf21-100.html

TDF, Stage 15: Adding Points

Michael Matthews (BikeExchange) went in the early break with the intention of getting to the intermediate sprint first. The first to go off the front was the break away man himself, Thomas De Gendt (Lotto Soudal).  Everyone expected him to go, so everyone wanted to join him in the effort. The break had grown to 32.  Matthews has the ability to climb better than most sprinters so he was able to get over the early uncategorized climbs to vie more maximum sprint points in his quest to take the Maillot Vert off the shoulders of Cavendish.  Davide Ballerini (Deceuninck-Quick Step), Cav's teammate tried to out sprint the Aussie sprinter in hopes of minimizing the points Matthews could collect.  Cav still has a substantial lead in the competition, however he got no points today.  If Matthews can keep up this raid on the following mountain stages, he could just be the one wearing the Maillot Vert in Paris.

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/3823330-91-291436/Painting/adding-points-tdf21-90.html

TDF, Stage 13: Hurting

After yet another crash in the Tour de France that left guys tumbling down the embankment.  While Simon Yates (BikeExchange) didn't go over the edge, he did spend sometime in pain laying on the side of the road.  He did get up and back on the bike.  A little further up the road, he stopped and stretched out his back clearly in pain.  His soigneur came up with another bottle and some kind words before Yates got back up and started chasing the peloton.  Not long after I painted this, it was announced that he was leaving the Tour.  I hope he isn't too bad off and will recover quickly.  It is said that he is planning on competing in the Olympics in just over two weeks, hopefully this doesn't derail the plan.

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/3822865-80-291436/Painting/hurting-tdf21-79.html

TDF, Stage 13: Where Is Cav?

Both Michael Matthews (BikeExchange) and Michael Morkov (Deceuninck-Quick Step) look back to see what happened to Mark Cavendish (Deceuninck-Quick Step).  Whereas Sonny Colbrelli (Bahrain-Victorious) just got on with taking the maximum sprint points still available in Fontes.  Coming across fourth from the peloton is Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Fenix).  If you, like the others, are wondering where Cav is, those are his legs at the top left of this painting.  He was saving his legs for the final sprint that should he win would tie the win record of Eddy Merckx.

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/3822856-79-291436/Painting/where-is-cav-tdf21-78.html

TDF, Stage 12: The First Salvo

With some really strong guys sitting on in the early break, it was only a mater of time before the thirteen would start attacking each other.  It was Nils Politt (Bora-Hansgrohe) looking over his shoulder to see who had joined him off the front.  He looked into the eyes of Connor Swift (Arkea-Samsic) and Luka Mezgec (BikeExchange) to see if they had the legs to push on.  I'm not sure he could see their eyes through their sun glasses.

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/3822700-74-291436/Painting/the-first-salvo-tdf21-73.html

TDF, Stage 10: Making Sure

Since there were still two guys off the front as the peloton arrived for the intermediate sprint in La Placette, these guys were racing for best of the rest.  Sonny Colbrelli (Bahrain Victorious), the Italian Champion, looks back over his shoulder just to confirm that no was going to come around him at the line.  The Italian seemed to look into the eyes of Michael Matthews (BikeExchange) seemingly daring him to even tried to out sprint him.  Tucked on to the Australian's wheel was Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Fenix). Philipsen will have to carry the sprintering banner for his team since his other sprinter/lead out man has left the Tour the night before the rest day.  The day before another of his teammates, Mathieu Van Der Poel, left the race after losing the Maillot Jaune in srage 8.  He can be excused, he is headed off to Tokyo to compete in the Olympics as a Mountain Biker.

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/2021-Tour-de-France/3822283-59-291436/Painting/making-sure-tdf21-58.html

TDF, Stage 9: When the Cav Is Away...

Playing around with the title of this one.  You get the reference (I hope).  The intermediate sprint came after the Category 2 climb of the Cote de Domancy 33 kilometers into the stage.  With Mark Cavendish (Deceuninck-Quick Step) already in the grupetto off the back of the race, it was time for his competitors for the Maillot Vert to try and cut into his lead in the sprinters' competition.  Sonny Colbrelli (Bahrain-Victorious) took out the sprint just ahead of Michael Matthews (BikeExchange) in Praz Sur Arly.  The crazy thing is that the sprinter Colbrelli (and Italian Champion) also took third on the stage.  Not a flat stage, but a stage that included to Category One climbs, one Haute Catagory climb, and one Catefory Four climb after this sprint.  Both of these sprinters got closer to taking Cavendish's Maillot Vert.  But I stand in awe of Colbrelli's efforts today.  To put it in perspective, he out climb some of the best climbers racing in the Pro Tour today.  It is theorized that the wet cold day got under the skin of the climbers who are traditionally lacking in any body fat.  Perhaps the bigger, more muscular sprinters were more able to withstand the cold wet conditions.  Whatever the reason, Colbrelli was simply amazing today.

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/2021-Tour-de-France/3821974-52-291436/Painting/when-the-cav-is-away...-tdf21-51.html

TDF, Stage 4: You Can Turn Back Time

I amused myself with this title.  And now I have Cher's "If I Could Turn Back Time" stuck in my head.  But it is worth it just to see Cav take another stage in the Tour de France.  Apparently, Mark Cavendish's (Alpecin-Fenix) dress rehearsal in the intermediate was a good omen for the end of the stage.  Cav last one a stage in the Tour three years ago, and on this very finishing straight six years ago.  Chapeau to one of the good guys.  It was a treat to watch most of the peloton congratulate the new Maillot Vert as they came across the line (if they could fight their way through the press scrum surrounding the stage winner).  As in the intermediate sprint, it is Nacer Bouhanni (Arkea-Samsic) taking second with Michael Matthews (BikeExchange) in third.  Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) is still on the outside looking in, but he is there or there's about.

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/2021-Tour-de-France/3820942-25-291436/Painting/you-can-turn-back-time-tdf21-25.html

TDF, STage 4: Dress Rehearsal

It was a sprint dress rehearsal for the following peloton as they came into Vitre.  In my days in theatre the superstition was that a bad dress rehearsal meant you would have a great opening night.  Hopefully the converse of the superstition won't be true for Mark Cavendish (Deceuninck-Quick Step) who won the intermediate sprint.  His leadout man, Michael Morkov (you can just see his shoulder in this painting) took second, denying points to Nacer Bouhanni (Arkea-Samsic) in the race for the Maillot Vert. Michael Matthews (BikeExchange) was also in the mix.  Behind you can see Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Sonny Colbrelli (Bahrain-Victorious).  I am beginning to worry that Sagan's bout with Covid-19 may have taken the edge off of the seven time Maillot Vert and three time World Champion.  I hope he will break through before this Tour is over.

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/2021-Tour-de-France/3820888-23-291436/Painting/dress-rehearsal-tdf21-23.html

TDF, Stage 1: Showing Their Legs

Perhaps the prospect of an steep uphill finish led the sprints to decide that their best hopes for points towards the Green Jersey was the intermediate sprint in Basparts.  It was Caleb Ewan (Lotto Soudal) who showed off a great pair of legs besting Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Michael Matthews (BikeExchange) in a best of the rest sprint.  Ide Schelling, Sagan's teammate, had already gone through two minutes before the peloton arrived.

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/2021-Tour-de-France/3820234-4-291436/Painting/showing-their-legs-tdf21-4.html

This painting is sold

LBL Women: Needing Some Help

The Dutch woman on the Australian team, Janneke Ensing (BikeExchange) lifted her arm to signal her need for her team car.  While I am sure she had gotten on the radio to her sports director, the gesture lets the race referee following the peloton know that her car needs to come up to the back of the race.  Normally, this would be a sign that she was having a problem with her bike or perhaps a flat tire.  This time she just wanted to get some gels, bars, and bidons for herself and her teammates.

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-2021/3808267-42-290150/Painting/needing-some-help-lbl21-7.html

Amstel Gold Women - Coming Good

I admit that I thought Marianne Vos (Jumbo-Visma Women) was cooked on the final climb of the Cauberg.  Clearly I was wrong.  While there were two women off the front, Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon-SRAM) and Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek-Segafredo) they spent too much time trying to out fox each other that they ended up giving their chance for a win away.  Instead it was Marianne Vos out sprinting them all for the win.  She spent a moment of panic thinking she may have celebrated too soon.  It was a fast closing Demi Vollering (SD Worx) who almost closed the gap with her bike lunge.  Amanda Spratt (BikeExchange) missed the podium finishing fourth.  Elisa Longo Borghini could only hold on for eighth and thinking what might have been.  And she has to surrender her points jersey in the bargain.  Although it will be no shame in pulling back on her Italian tricolore of National Champion.

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-2021/3806935-35-290150/Painting/coming-good-ag21-4.html

Amstel Gold Women - Leading Them Around

I had not realized until I started tagging some of these paintings that I have never painted the Amstel Gold race before.  I've watch it in the past, although this is the first time I have been able to watch the women's race.  It was Grace Brown (BikeExchange) who had dropped her break away companion and led the race alone with just 11 kilometers to race.  She had about 30 seconds at this point but chasing her where some of the marquee names of women's cycling.

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-2021/3806933-33-290150/Painting/leading-them-around-ag21-2.html