Gent-Wevelgem, The Best Sprint

 It turned out that Mads Pedersen (Trek-Segafredo) had the best sprint of the five that came to the line together.  They had managed to drop the group that contained the two favorites and John Degenkolb (Lotto Soudal) who, on paper, was the best sprinter of the two groups coming into the last 500 meters.  On Pedersen's wheel was Florian Senechal (Deceuninck-Quick Step) who was the best of his three teammates out of the group, claiming the second step on the podium.  The two aggressors in the final kilometers, Matteo Trentin (CCC) and Alberto Bettiol (EF) took third and fourth respectively.  This was Pedersen's first victory after surrendering his Rainbow Jersey three weeks ago.  It was great to see that he was congratulated by all of those who just finished unable to get around the young Dane.

With the way the virus is resurging throughout Europe, and the USA, it may be unlikely that I will be painting any more racing this strange season.  Hopefully, I wll be back with the Tour of Flanders next week, but I'm not holding my breath for the start of La Veulta.  But then, I usually only paint one Grand Tour a year anyhow.  The Giro is looking like a great race this year, but I just don't have the energy, nor strenght to try and paint it right now.  I am still not anywhere near whole after my kidney donation surgery or the pneumonia complications that followed.  Better, but not all better.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow th edirect 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/2020-Bike-Racing-Revised-Season/3718368-29-280747/Painting/the-best-sprint-gw20-7.html

Gent-Wevelgem, Over the Final Climb

 As the pair of Stefan Kung (Groupama-FDJ) and Matteo Trentin (CCC) went over the top of the Kimmelberg for the final time they found themselves opening up a bit of a gap on the front group.  As the others reached for bottles, gels and whatever else from their soigneurs at the summit, Kung and Trentin saw their chance to push on with their advantage.  The back side of the Kimmelberg was extremely narrow with some tight turns so it was more advantageous to be in a small group then back in the peloton.  As you can see from the pair's legs and jersey, this was definitely a mud-fest race that was presenting its own challenges for the riders and their mechanics.  And again, the further back you are in the peloton, the muddier you get from the spray off the wheels of the other bikes.  Thirty four kilometers to the end might be a bit much for the duo, but this is a race for the daring.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow th edirect 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/2020-Bike-Racing-Revised-Season/3718303-26-280747/Painting/over-the-final-climb-gw20-4.html

Tour, Final Stage: Nothing Ventured...

 We all know the expression, "Nothing ventured, nothing gained."  For this quartet, it is demonstratively true.  They know that the likelihood of winning the stage from a break away on the Champs Elysees are slim indeed, however the chances that Greg Van Avermaet (CCC), Pierre-Luc Perichon (Cofidis), Conor Swift (Arkea-Samsic) and Maximilian Schachmann (Bora-Hansgrohe) would win from a bunch sprint are infinitely smaller still. And so it is that off they go into a four man break in hopes of staying away to the finale.  They did not, but the tried, and in so doing earned some rather useless sprint points towards the Sprint Competition in the doing.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow th edirect 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/Tour-de-France-2020/3705848-142-282744/Painting/nothing-ventured...-tdf20-134.html

Tour, Stage 18: He Wants to Keep It

 The planners of the race decided to cut a break for the sprinters and set the intermediate sprint long before they had to face all of the climbing of the day.  Sam Bennett (Deceuninck-Quick Step) proved he wanted to keep his Maillot Vert.  At Bourg Saint Maurice les Arc, he out sprinted everyone for maximum points at the line.  It was Matteo Trentin (CCC) crossing second and the last step of the podium went to Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe).  For the last two days Sagan has been ceding a couple of points back to Bennett, making it look like Sagan will not be getting his record 8th Sprinter;s Jersey when we get to Paris on Sunday.

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-2020/3703847-119-282744/Painting/he-wants-to-keep-it-tdf20-113.html

Tour, Stage 16: The Next Group

With the peloton (and all of the general classification riders) seemingly taking the day off, it was clearly the day to be in the break away.  Three chasers had already bridged up to the ever growing break away.  So was the hope of this next group on the road.  Simon Geschke (CCC) was making sure his team had a man up front, as was poth Mikel Nieve (Mitchelton-Scott) and Romain Sicard (Total Direct Energie).  For the other two, Nielson Powless (EF Pro Cycling) and Pavel Sivakov (Ineos-Grenadiers) it was about getting up to help out their teammates make the best of their presence in the break.  They did get there, but then that seemed to be the last I ever saw of them.

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-2020/3701729-108-282744/Painting/the-next-group-tdf20-102.html

Tour, Stage 15: Riding Away from Jesus

I apologize for the title, but I couldn't resist.  I mean when am I going to get the chance again?  On the first climb of the day, the Montee de la Selle du Fromentel, Simon Geschke (CCC) started the aggression out of the early eight man break.  Quickly on to the bearded German's wheel was Pierre Rolland (B&B Hotels-Vital Concept).  The duo was distancing the former Spanish Champion, Jesus Herrada (Cofidis), thus the title.  Behind this trio, others were trying to find their legs, some did, some did not.

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-2020/3700445-98-282744/Painting/riding-away-from-jesus-tdf20-92.html

Tour, Stage 10: On a Short Leash

I couldn't paint the race live today because my wife and I spent the day going through pre-op procedures ahead of her kidney transplant and my kidney donation.  After a long day there, it was back home and into the studio to paint a crash ridden stage.

This duo of MIchael Schar (CCC) and Stefan Kung (Groupama-FDJ) went off the front at kilometer 0, but they were never given much of a gap.  The stage was incredible flat going from on island to another on the west coast of France.  In fact the only to rises on the course were the bridge off of the first island to the mainland, and then over another onto the second island of the day.  With cross winds expected, and a true sprinters' delight at the end of the 168.5 kilometers, no one wanted to have to chase back a break with a big lead up the road.

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-2020/3696537-62-282744/Painting/on-a-short-leash-tdf20-57.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: Fulfilling the Plan

After Bora-Hansgrohe set an incredible pace over the first climb and all of the follow undulations over the first 50 + kilometers, it was time for the intermediate sprint in Saint Sernin sur France.  It was on Peter Sagan to fulfill the plan and take back in Maillot Vert by winning the sprint.  Matteo Trentin (CCC) didn't get the memo, and challenged Sagan as he had done in stage 2.  And now, as then, he was able to get across the line a few inches ahead of the Slovakian.  No worries, however, the ploy by Sagan's team meant that no other sprinters would collect any points towards the sprint classification.  Regardless, Sagan is now the Maillot Vert Virtuale and has every reason to feel that he will gain more points over his rivals who are between eight and twelve minutes further back.  Behind these two, and one other sprinters was Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-Quick Step).  I think he is still angry and ready to prove that he deserve to still be in the Maillot Jaune of race leader.

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-2020/3692148-41-282744/Painting/fulfilling-the-plan-tdf20-36.html

Tour, Stage 6: "Pull Through, Damn It"

While the early break went at the 0 kilometer mark, it didn't start out as smoothly as it could have.  Alexey Lutsenko (Astana) wasn't very happy with his break away companions.  He was gesticulating wildly to get them to pull through to make all of their efforts a success.  At this point the group just had a view seconds on the peloton, but it was still uncertain if the break would stick.  Jesus Herrada (Cofidis) seemed the most reluctant to to his share of the effort.  Edvald Boasoon Hagen (NTT Pro Cycling) was the last to join the escapees.  Others in the group included the birthday boy, Nielson Powless (EF Pro Cycling) and the still reigning Olympic Champion, Greg Van Avermaet (CCC).

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-2020/3690683-35-282744/Painting/pull-through-damn-it-tdf20-30.html

Tour, Stage 2: Sprinting for Points

Today is the earliest mountain stage in a Tour de France in decades, fortunately for the sprinters the intermediate sprint came with just sixteen kilometers covered.  It was Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) in his borrowed Maillot Vert sprinting it out with Matteo Trentin (CCC).  Trentin got the better of Sagan, and apparently did so on a rear tire that was going flat.  Right after the sprint he needed a wheel change, and that was the end of his break away efforts.  Watching the two sprinters go at it were the rest of the break being lead by Kasper Asgreen (Deceunick-Quick Step) and Toms Skujins (Trek-Segafredo).  The pair were both the national champions of their respective countries, Denmark and Latvia.  The rest of the break was more interested in the mountains ahead (for their KOM points) and in the chance of pulling one over on the peloton.

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-2020/3687288-12-282744/Painting/sprinting-for-points-tdf20-6.html

Tour, Stage 1: First KOM

While checking over his shoulder just to make sure, Fabien Grellier (Total-Direct Energie) claimed the first King of the Mountain points atop the Cote de Rimiez.  He was challenged by Cyril Gautier (B&B Hotels-Vital Concept) who claimed the remain single point towards the Maillot a Pois.  Third over the top was Mcihael Schar (CCC) and since it was a Category 3 climb, he was left without points for this summit.  Don't worry for Schar, he got maximum points on the final climb, and on count back that gave him the first Polka Dot Jersey of the 2020 Tour.

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-2020/3683695-2-282744/Painting/first-kom-tdf20-2.html

Strade Bianche, The Final Section

Greg Van Avermaet (CCC Pro Cycling) was joined by Zdenek Stybar (Deceuninck-Quickstep) as the two dropped down onto the final gravel section of the day.  The duo was a minute behind the chasing threesome, and another six seconds behind the sole leader on the road.  With just under thirteen kilometers left to race, it was unlikely either would be taking the day. 

I was impressed to see the race marshall, with his warning flag under his arm, wearing his face mask, and wearing it properly.  We all need to be wearing one whenever we are out if we want to get back to watching bike racing and all of the other things (and people) we love.

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/2020-Bike-Racing-Revised-Season/3609835-10-280747/Painting/the-final-section-sb20-10.html

Strade Bianche, Opening a Gap

With just nineteen of the 183 kilometers remaining, it was Greg Van Avermaet (CCC) that was letting a gap go on the penultimate gravel section of the day.  Ahead, the trio of Davide Formolo (UAE Team Emirates), Jakob Fulgsang (Astana) and Alberto Bettiol (EF Pro Cycling) was just getting on with chasing the disappearing Wout Van Aert (Jumbo Visma).  I was sad to see the reigning Olympic Champion not able to hold the wheels, I am a fan of the Belgium.

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/2020-Bike-Racing-Revised-Season/3609826-9-280747/Painting/opening-a-gap-sb20-9.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 1: Leading Off His Season

I always look forward to the opening race of the season.  This year it is set against a back drop of horrorific fires further east in Australia.  The stage started with a hard fought four man break away.  One of those felt that the others weren't continuing with the effort.  Joey Rosskopf (CCC) saw the opportunity to leave the other three and take enough King of the Mountain points to pull on the first Polka Dot Jersey of the Pro Tour season.  The stage was tailor made for the sprinters so it is unlikely he will stay off the front for the remaining 45 kilometers, but he will have something to show for his work.

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/3454483-144-194179/Painting/Leading-Off-His-Season--TDU20-1.html

Tour, Stage 18: Keep It Going

After the Col d'Izoard Simon Geschke (CCC) wanted to keep the groups advantage growing.  He looked behind to find Tim Wellens (Lotto Soudal) and Romain Bardet (Ag2r La Mondiale) not looking like they wanted to put in the effort.  Or it could be that he wanted another look at the woman on the side of the road.  Geschke had two teammates somewhere nearby and wanted to give them a head start up the Col du Galibier.

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.

Be sure to check out my daily videos on You Tube.  If you enjoy what you see on the channel, please subscribe.  I need to get over a hundred subscribers so I can name the channel, "Art of Cycling"

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202019/3365263-99-263530/Keep%20It%20Going%20%20TDF19-99.html

Tour, Stage 16: Still Ahead

The five man break was still of the front with just over five kilometers to the line in Nimes.  Alexis Gougeard (Ag2r La Mondiale) wasn't about to stop driving the pace, even if the peloton was literally just around the corner.  Lukasz Wisniowski (CCC), Stephane Rosetto (Cofidis) and Paul Ourselin (Total Direct Energie) were willing to help with the effort but it was clearly doomed.  Still nothing ventured, nothing gained.

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.

Be sure to check out my daily videos on You Tube.  If you enjoy what you see on the channel, please subscribe.  I need to get over a hundred subscribers so I can name the channel, "Art of Cycling"

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202019/3364396-90-263530/Still%20Ahead%20%20TDF19-90.html

Tour, Stage 16: Just One Point

It was five off the front for today's break.  They had little chance of surviving with the sprinters wanting one more stage before the Alps.  This is Lukasz Wisniowski (CCC) just behind Alexis Gougeard (Ag2r La Mondiale) as they got over the only catagorized climb, the Cote de Saint Jean du Pin.  Along the roads of France, the French have been out in droves to cheer on their Maillot Jaune.

See this painting come to life in this time lapse video:

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.

Be sure to check out my daily videos on You Tube.  If you enjoy what you see on the channel, please subscribe.  I need to get over a hundred subscribers so I can name the channel, "Art of Cycling"

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202019/3364384-89-263530/Just%20One%20Point%20%20TDF19-89.html

Tour, Stage 15: Leading Up the Hill

Sure that he had the legs to leave everyone behind, Simon Geschke (CCC) went off on his own on the climb of the Mur de Peguere.  Geschke has been the main chaser of break aways for his team over the years so he must have been excited to be off the front for himself.  He does have one Tour stage win in his resume, but that wouldn't diminish his joy in claiming another.

Watch this painting come together in a time lapse painting here:

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.

Be sure to check out my daily videos on You Tube.  If you enjoy what you see on the channel, please subscribe.  I need to get over a hundred subscribers so I can name the channel, "Art of Cycling"

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202019/3363349-83-263530/Leading%20Up%20the%20Hill%20%20TDF19-83.html

Tour, Stage 13< Battling the Whole Way

The next American to get out on course was Joey Rosskopf (CCC), like Haga before him, he was setting new best times all along the course.  The difference was, he was bettering Haga's time along with all of those who had gone before.  Rosskopf finished his ride in first place, but dropped to tenth after the big names of the Tour came home.

Watch this time lapse video of the is painting as it comes to life.

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.

Be sure to check out my daily videos on You Tube.  If you enjoy what you see on the channel, please subscribe.  I need to get over a hundred subscribers so I can name the channel, "Art of Cycling"

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202019/3362551-69-263530/Battling%20the%20Whole%20Way%20%20TDF19-69.html