Tour Down Under, Stage 4: His Third!

Sam Welsford (Bora-Hansgrohe) wearing the blue sprinter’s jersey claimed his third stage of this year’s Tour Down Under.  And he did it on his 28th birthday.  Not a bad present to give himself.  Most likely, all he has to do is finish the next two stages inside of the time limit, he will be claim the title of best sprinter in the 2024 Tour Down Under.  The only one who could upset that plan is the guy who finished second today, Biniam Girmay (Intermache-Wanty).  The Eritrean is a much better climber that the average sprinter, so he does have a slim chance of closing the points gap to Welsford in the finals two stages of the Tour.

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/3996044-195-194179/Painting/his-third-tdu24-18.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 3: Time to Celebrate

Long time followers of my cycling art will know that I love to go for puns and multiple interpretations in the titles of my paintings.  This is just such an example.  It can be read as having won the stage, Sam Welsford (Bora-Hansgrohe) had enough time to celebrate his second stage victory in this edition of the Tour Down Under, or now that he has crossed the line ahead of Elia Viviani (Ineos-Grenadiers) it is time to celebrate another stage victory.  Unlike his win on the first day of the Tour, he won’t be pulling on the Ochre Jersey of race leader this time. However, he will be pulling on the Blue Jersey of the best sprinter in the race (sometimes referred to as the points jersey).

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/3995929-190-194179/Painting/time-to-celebrate.-tdu24-13.html

 

Tour Down Under, Stage 1: It Takes a Team

It was Sam Welsford (Bora-Hansgrohe) that took the first stage of the Tour Down Under, and the first Ochre Jersey of race leader, but his celebration was joined by his lead out man Danny Van Poppel.  Phil Bauhaus (Bahrain-Victorious) just held off the fast closing Biniam Girmay (Intermache-Victorious) for second on the stage and the general classification.  The Australian sprinter, Caleb Ewan (Jayco-Alula) faded to fourth, perhaps due to the lingering effects of an earlier stomach virus.  Having just gotten over one myself, I tip my hat to him finishing so high up after 144+ 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-Down-Under/3995522-182-194179/Painting/it-takes-a-team.-tdu24-5.html

Tour de France 23, Stage 21: The Perfect Throw

I can't remember the last time the sprint on the Champs Elysees came down to a photo finish.  But then why would the finish of this Tour be anymore predictable than any other moment of this race.  It was a mad sprint to the line, that everyone expected the Maillot Vert on the shoulders of Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceunick).  After all he had already won four sprints in this Tour.  The only one to beat him on a slight uphill sprint was Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek).  The other of the group most likely to take the stage was Dylan Groenewegen (Jayco-Alula).  The least likely was the Tour rookie, Jordi Meeus (Bora-Hansgrohe).  Yet it was he who had the perfectly timed bike throw just barely edging out Philipsen.  Groenewegen took third and Pedersen just missed the podium.  Other than stage honors the results changed nothing, but it was exciting just the same.  For Meeus it will be life changing.  Today was his first professional victory, there is no bigger stage on which to perform, and he did it to a standing ovation.

This is the final painting of the Men's Tour de France, but fear not, I have seven more days of the Toru de France Femmes to paint yet.

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-2023/3967241-149-297438/Painting/the-perfect-throw-tdf23-144.html

 

Tour de France 23, Stage 15: Making Progress

It took a long time to get a break away established today.  Finally after over thirty kilometers raced this foursome started to make a bit of progress getting of the front.  I never did catch the name of the Ag2r-Citroen rider was.  By the time my broadcast came back from the commercial break, he was gone.  But leading the group is the ever aggressive, Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal-Quick Step).  He was joined by Alexey Lutsenko (Astana-Qazaqstan) and Nils Politt (Bora-Hansgrohe).  The other three pressed on and were eventually joined by a rather large group.  In fact, at one point in the first third of that race, there were as many in the break as were chasing in the peloton behind.  With all of the climbs in the second half of the day, everyone hoped to either go for stage glory or get a head start so they would be ensured not to miss out on the time limit with the worst climbs coming 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 $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-2023/3965797-94-297438/Painting/making-progress-tdf23-94.html

 

Tour de France 23, Stage 8: You Got Me There

It looked like Jordi Meeus (Bora-Hansgrohe) was going to get the maximum available points at the intermediate sprint in Tucane Sanit Apre, but it wasn't to happen.  He was caught at the line by the man who is wearing the Maillot Vert of the best sprinter in this Tour, Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck), each has a teammate tucked in behind them as Meeus fist bumps his congratulations/admiration to Philipsen.  Bryan Coquard (Cofidis) continues to add to his sprint point tally, but has yet to get the better of Philipsen in any Tour sprint thus far.

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-2023/3964382-42-297438/Painting/you-got-me-there-tdf23-42.html

Tour de France 23, Stage 5: Definitely the Stage, Maybe Yellow

Clearly Jai Hindley (Bora-Hansgrohe) had come alone to the line in Laruns, celebrating as he cross the line.  Now he had to wait to see just how much ground Jonas Vingegaard had gained on him from the summit of the final climb of the day.  Only when the leader of Jumbo-Visma came in 34 seconds later did Hindley know that he is now the leader of the Tour.  Thanks to the eight second time bonus at the top of the climb and another ten seconds for winning the stage, he has a forty-seven second lead over the defending champion of the Tour.  Pogacar now sits a minute and forty seconds back (fifty-three seconds behind his main rival.)  These placings set the stage for a very aggressive stage 6 tomorrow.  The Cat 1 climb to the finish line while only tighten the screws on all of the hopefuls.

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-2023/3963886-29-297438/Painting/definitely-the-stage-maybe-yellow-tdf23-29.html

 

Tour de France 23, Stage 5: Looking to See

It wasn't until I edit the photograph of this painting that I discovered that I never finished the title.  I think perhaps I couldn't decide just what Felix Gall (Ag2r-Citroen) was looking back to see.  He may have been trying to see who was going on the attack with him on the Col de Marie Blanque.  Or he could be trying to see if he and Jai Hindley (Bora-Hansgrohe) had gotten a gap on the remnants of the large break away from the middle of the stage.  

Gall was hoping to add to his tally in what will be his new Maillot a Pois of best climber in this Tour.  He will have a strong ally in Hindley who is hoping to ride away from the favorites and into the Maillot Jaune.

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-2023/3963879-25-297438/Painting/looking-to-see-tdf23-25.html

 

Tour de France 23, Stage 2: Taking a Peek

With a realitively small group of elite riders coming to the line together, those that weren't the best sprinters were trying to get a jump on the others.  First it was Pello Bilbao (Bahrain Victorious) pushing off the front on the descent.  Then, it was the Geman National Champion, Emanuel Buchmann (Bora-Hansgrohe) who opened up a bit of a gap on the Jumbo-Visma train lead by Wilco Kelderman and Tiesj Benoot.  On that duo's wheels was Biulio Ciccone (Lidl-Trek) and the one everyone was watching, Wout Van Aert (Jumbo-Visma).  Unfortunately, Buchmann was ultimately wheeled in by Wout himself.  He was the one who took on the task of chasing down every escapee.  Was that going to drain him for the finale?

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-2023/3963335-11-297438/Painting/taking-a-peek-tdf23-11.html

 

Paris Roubaix 23: Onto Another Sector

The pair of Jonas Koch (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Juri Holman (Movistar) were the first to escape off the front of the peloton.  So they were the first to hit Sector 24 with enough of a gap that the flotilla of press and race motorcycles was allowed to slot in behind them.  I loved the image of the foreshortening that shows the arch announcing the entrance into this sector in the background enough that I felt it was worthy of being captured in watercolors.  That is part of my selection process of what I chose to paint.  I look for images that tell the story of the race, but then I also look for a captivating image as well.  After all, this is also about making art.

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-/3945231-530-195767/Painting/onto-another-sector-pr23-10.html

Ronde Van Vlaanderen 23, Men's Race: The Help He Wanted

The German Champion, Nils Politt (Bora-Hansgrohe) was happy to see Axel Zingle (Cofidis) ride up to him.  Politt had attacked the peloton in hopes of bridging up to the leaders, but had been struggling on his own, caught in no-man's land between the two groups, he was unable to make more progress until Zingle came along.  The pair joined up with the leaders just in time for the big names to start attacking each other.

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-/3943938-516-195767/Painting/the-help-he-wanted-rvv23-3.html

Ronde Van Vlaanderen 23, Men's Race: Belgium Racing

Over 100 kilometers into the race and this might be the first attack that may be successful.  On the first section of cobbles, the Huisepontweg, it was Jonas Rutsch (EF Education-EasyPost) who started to ride away from the rest of the peloton.  Off to his right Tim Merlier (Soudal-Quick Step) struggled with staying upright in the mud just along the side of the rougher roadway.  Others tried to go with the pair, but at this point they were the only two to get away.  Others did managed to join later when they got back to the smooth modern roads that lay around the corner.

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-/3943934-514-195767/Painting/belgium-racing-rvv23-1.html 

 

Paris Nice 23, Stage 7: Looking Around at the Front

Javier Romo (Astana) seemed to have the better legs of his own teammate in the early break away.  He is one of five who slipped away from the other dozen as they got ready to climb the Col de la Couiollole.  Both Nils Politt (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Pascal Eenkhoorn (Lotto-Dstny) seemed to have a lot to say to Romo and Jeremy Cabot (Total Energies).  As I painted this, I noticed that Eenkhoorn had his bottle in his hand, and was gesturing to his team car (off to the left as you view this) that he needed another bid on before he started the final 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 $90 USD including shipping, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3939677-104-272742/Painting/looking-around-at-the-front.-pn23-22.html

Paris Nice 23, Stage 4: Saying Goodbye

As the pace heated up on the final climb of the day, La Loge does Gardes, Magnus Cort (EF Education-EasyPost) gestured with a little wave as he pulled out of the line.  His wave alerted both Bob Jungels (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Lucas Hamilton (Jayco-Alula) that he was about to swerve towards the other side of the road.  But it does seem he is also waving good-bye to the Maillot Jaune as well.  Cort had sprinted to the line in the team time trial to take the leader’s jersey, but in the pre-race interview, he had little confidence he would be able to hold it on the final climb to the finish of the stage.  With his departure from the peloton, it does mean there will be a new leader of Paris Nice in another five 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 $90 USD including shipping, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3938782-95-272742/Painting/saying-goodbye.-pn23-13.html

Paris Nice 23, Stage 3: Leading Them Home

Nils Politt (Bora-Hansgrohe) drove hard all of the way through the finish line keeping as many seconds to the team’s advantage as possible.  Behind the big German, his countryman and team leader, Maximilian Schachmann was pulling faces just to stay on his wheel. The duo gapped Marco Haller and another teammate in the final meters of the team time trial course.  They finished 29 seconds off of the best time, leaving Schachmann 28 seconds out of first place going into the mountain top finish stage tomorrow.

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/Paris-Nice/3938701-90-272742/Painting/leading-them-home.-pn23-8.html

Tour Down Under '23, Final Stage: Chasing the Counter Move

Once he was caught, Maximilian Schachmann (Bora-Hansgrohe) found he had to chase the counter move launched by Ewen Costiou (Arkea-Samsic).  Mikias Arndt (Bahrain-Victorious) was able to get onto the wheel of his fellow countryman as they worked to catch the attack Frenchman.  You can see the shadows of their erstwhile break away companions trying to catch back up to the fleeing trio.

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/3929043-175-194179/Painting/chasing-the-counter-move-tdu23-29.html

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

Tour Down Under '23, Final Stage: These Points Are Mine

It took forever to get a break away started in today's final stage of the Tour Down Under.  I suspect because there were several different goals for those getting away from the peloton.  First was an early intermediate sprint and second the early King of the Mountains points.  And then there is always the goal of sneaking away with a stage win, I imagine that was going to be a tall order today.  It seemed that Michael Matthews (Jayco-Alula) was letting the trio of Michael Gogl (Alpecin-Deceuninck), Rueben Thompson (Groupama-FDJ) and Maximilian Schachmann (Bora-Hansgrohe) know that he was the one already in the sprinter's jeresey and that they had best not try and out sprint him in about ten kilometers time.  They didn't.  With Matthews taking the three points towards the jersey in Urladia, he now will be the winner of the Tour Down Under's best sprinter jersey.  The others would still have to strive to win the stage over the next 99 kilometers 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 $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/3929003-172-194179/Painting/these-points-are-mine-tdu23-26.html 

Tour Down Under '23, Stage 2: The Stage and the Jersey

As I said, Rohan Dennis (Jumbo-Visma) was looking like he was about to attack in the previous painting.  And he had enough power left to get away from his breakaway companions.  He just managed to have time to celebrate even as Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates) tried as hard as he could to catch the Australian.  On his wheel and hidden by him is Mauro Schmid (Soudal-Quickstep) finishing in third.  Simon Yates (Jayco-AlUla) and Jai Hindley (Bora-Hansgrohe) finished out the placings just a mere eleven seconds ahead of the fast closing peloton lead home by Caleb Ewan (UniSA-Australia).  With the ten second time bonus Dennis will be pulling on the next Ochre Jersey with a lead of just three seconds over Vine, a second less than the time bonus difference between first and second place on 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/3928093-161-194179/Painting/the-stage-and-the-jersey-tdu23-15.html

Tour Down Under '23, Stage 2: Lining It Up

As this quintet hit the one kilometer to go Jai Hindley (Bora-Hansgrohe) looked back to find that Rohan Dennis (Jumbo-Visma) had caught back onto his wheel bringing Mauro Schmid (Soudal-Quickstep), Simon Yates (Jayco-AlUla) and Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates) along with him.  As I was painting this it seemed to me that Dennis was looking a bit twitchy, like he was about to pull something.  Sure enough, as soon as I hid play Dennis jumped away from the others making a quick dash for the line.  He opened up a gap quickly but there were some powerful legs working to get back onto terms with the Australian.

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/3928092-160-194179/Painting/lining-it-up-tdu23-14.html