Tour de France Femmes 23, Stage 6: Getting Something Going

It looked like Amanda Spratt (Lidl-Trek) was about pull some of the big names of the Tour Femmes out of the peloton.  Lidl-Trek has been having one of the team go off the front after another in hopes of making an escape stick.  This time Spratt's move was covered by Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig (FDJ-Suez) and Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon-SRAM).  Behind her one of the members of the Jumbo-Visma team was making sure the team had a member in the break if this one worked.  It didn't.

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-2023/3968606-177-297438/Painting/getting-something-going-tdff23-33.html

 

Tour de France Femmes 23, Stage 4, Going Clear of the Peloton

Every post race interview Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime) swears she is riding in aide of her team leader, Demi Vollering, yet she is still in the Maillot Jaune.  With her lead in the Tour de France Femmes slipping away to those in the break away up the road, she finally has a dig to get away from the peloton and up to those who are threating her lead.  She was quickly marked by Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig (FDJ-Suez) and the duo of Annemiek Van Vleutin and Liane Lippert (Movistar).  Collectively, these six (there is a UAE Team ADQ rider mixed in there too) are a number of those that are favored for the over all once the peloton reaches Pau on Sunday.  But there is quite a bit of racing today and over the next four days yet to be fought.

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-2023/3967868-163-297438/Painting/going-clear-of-the-peloton-tdff23-19.html

 

Tour de France Femmes 23, Stage 1: Racing for Second

With her teammate up the road, Demi Vollering (SD Worx-Protime) was looking for her sprinter Lorena Wiebes to see if they could take all three steps of the podium.  Keeping an eye on her was Elise Chabbey (Canyon-SRAM) the Swiss Champion, followed by Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig (FDJ-Suez).  The rest at made the mistake of letting one SD Worx girl get away, they weren't about to let anymore escape.  

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-2023/3967217-142-297438/Painting/racing-for-second-tdff23-3.html

 

Strade Bianche Donne 23: A Tough Wheel to Follow

 Using the toughest section of gravel on the entire Strade Bianche Donne course, Annemiek Van Vleutin (Movistar) dug deep to drop the rest of the peloton in pursuit of another victory in the Rainbow Jersey.  Though struggling, Cecilia Utopia Ludwig (FDJ-Suez) was able to hold onto the wheel of the world champion.  The group was cheered on by hundreds of fans along the side of the road, each hoping to catch a glimpse of their woman doing well.  By now, these ladies were just over a minute an a half behind the sole rider up the road.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Professional-Womens-Cycling/3938058-56-207546/Painting/a-tough-wheel-to-follow.-sb23-3.html

Wollongong 2022, Women's Road Race: Holding Them Off

Yes, Annemiek Van Vleutin (Netherlands) had the jump on all of the others (inluding some marquee sprinters) but she also had the legs to hold them off as they all sprint to the line in the final kilometer of the Elite Women's Road Race.  I am sure at this moment she had no idea her elbow was broken.  This was a race of grit, resiliance, and power.  And it was a race that will have her wearing the Rainbow Jersey for the next twelve months, and the rainbow bands on her sleeves for the rest of her career.  Behind her you can make out the light blue Belgium jersey of a very frustrated Lotte Kopecky who sprinted to the silver medal.  The others trying to get up to the Dutch veteran included Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig (Denmark) - 5th, Liane Lippert (Germany) - 4th, and Arlenis Sierra (Cuba) - 6th.  It may have taken a long time for the race to switch from a race of attrition to one of attacking moves, but it got exciting in the final twenty kilometers.  Chapeau, Annemiek!  It is a win well deserved!

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/Wollongong-2022-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3907693-26-295031/Painting/holding-them-off-uci22-26.html

Wollongong 2022, Women's Road Race: Three Chasing Two

While it was Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Poland) who started the attacks on the penultimate climb up Mount Pleasant, it was Elisa Longo Borghini (Italy) and Liane Lippert (Germany) who got off the front at the summit.  As the two went down the other side, Niewiadoma was aided in the chase by Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig (Denmark) and Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio (South Africa).  The three knew that the rainbow jersey may be up the road, so they were all three willing to work together to bring the others back.  Plus there were so other very strong riders behind working just as hard to chase them down as well.  With just 22 kilometers to race it was rather surprising to not see a Dutch rider in the mix.  The Netherlands has dominated the Worlds over the last decade taking seven of the ten gold medals.

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/Wollongong-2022-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3907626-24-295031/Painting/three-chasing-two-uci22-24.html

Tour Femmes '22, Stage 7: Hoping to Fly Away

Katarzyn Niewiadoma (Canyon'SRAM) seems to have been riding the entire Tour de France Femmes with her jersey unzipped.  Today it was flapping in the wind behind her, now I know why she was about to use her tails as wings for the final climb.  When she went Juliette Labous (DSM) and Cecilie Uttrop Ludwig (FDJ-Suez-Futuroscope) were the only two in the group that had the legs to follow.  I admit that I have been a bit embarassed when the camera swings around to film Niewiadoma from the front, I feel a bit like I have been caught looking down her blouse.  But then her legs remind us all of why she started the day in second place on the general classification.  Her flying move wasn't enough to catch Demi Vollering (SD Worx) so she slips to third after today.

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-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3896664-185-294403/Painting/hoping-to-fly-away-tdff22-44.html

Tour Femmes '22, Stage 7: Thirsty?

FDJ-Suez-Futuroscope had managed to get three women into the elite group that had six minutes on the group with the Maillot Jaune, the Maillot a Pois, and the Maillot Blance.  By this point, Grace Brown had dropped off of the sextet.  Their team leader, Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig, had dropped back to the team car for a conversation and a couple of waterbottles.  She then got herself back into the rotation and passed a bottle to Evita Muzic as she dropped back through the group.  While they had six minutes on the leader of the race, they were just over six minutes behind the leader on the road.  I doubt they can hope for stage honors, but they will move up on the general classification and still may vie for the podium of the stage.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $90 USD including shipping, and yes, international shipping is available. 

If you can't afford to purchase a piece you could always help keep me going by buying me a cup of coffee at buymeacoffee.com/greigsartc.  And check out my vlogs at my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLGX-TnjXDSkkOidUE6pN1g

My website's host "upgraded" this week and there have been big problems.  Of course! So right nowyou can't buy the painting you want so email me through the website and we can work out an off site sale.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3896394-182-294403/Painting/thirsty-tdff22-41.html

Tour Femmes '22, Stage 4: Solving It Together

I learned today that the women only have one team car (instead of two like the men) following the race.  This means their race mechanics can be a long, long way back.  Yesterday's stage winner Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig (FDJ-Suez-Futuroscope) was fortunate to have her teammate, Vittoria Guazzini, with her when she got a f;rat rear tire. The FDJ duo quickly swapped wheels and Ludwing got back into the race.  Apparently, the mechanics had the foresight to supply each rider with the necessary allen wrench to pull the through axle to allow the wheel change to happen.  Guazzine was helped shortly after getting her team leader back in the race by the Shimano neutral service moto.  It was a bit frustrating for the duo to watch the Shimano car go past them.  It has been a very chaotic stage with so much going on, the driver can be excused for not seeing Guazzini trying to wave them down.  Ludwig just kept working on her bike.  Time was of the essence.

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-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3896032-164-294403/Painting/solving-it-together-tdff22-23.html

Tour Femmes, Stage 3: Leaving Them All Behind

This painting is sold.

The Danish riders have been having a wonderful time in France, after the Tour de France left Denmark.  And they have now carried that over to the Tour de France Femmes.  Today it was Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig (FDJ-SUEZ-Futuroscope) winning stage 3 in Epernay in her Danish Champion's jersey.  She had a two second gap over the Maillot Jaune of Marianne Vos (Jumbo-Visma) who's desire to stay in yellow helped Ludwig bridge back up to the leaders.  After yesterday's troubles for her team and her losing a good bit of time this had to make the whole French team feel a lot better.  I am quessing there will be some very good champagne for the toast at dinner, and on the podium tonight.

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-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3895929-160-294403/Painting/leaving-them-all-behind-tdff22-19.html

Tour Femmes '22, Stage 3: Chasing Them Down

This painting is sold.

This painting was a bit of a struggle.  Using helicopter shots provides a strange angle that is sometimes a bid difficult to get right.  You can see by the wheels that it took a few tries to get there, but I think I got there in the end.  Much can the same can be said of Marianne Vos (Jumbo-Visma) and Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig (FDJ-SUEZ-Futuroscope).  The pair struggled to chase down the power group of escapees up the road that included the two women sitting second and third on the general classification.  But just like this painting, they got there in the end.  Vos was able to hold onto her Maillot Jaune, if fact, she increased her lead.  And I will let the next post show you just how well Cecilie did at the end in her new Danish Champion's 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 $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-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3895924-159-294403/Painting/chasing-them-down-tdff22-18.html

LBL Women: The Next to Try

This trio was the next to try and escape the clutches of the peloton of favorites.  Yet again, one of those in the break was a SD Worx rider, Ashleigh Moolman.  She was joined by Cecilie Uttrup Ludwid (FDJ Nouvelle Aquitaine Futuroscope), who is driving the pace at this point.  Rounding out the threesome is Lucinda Brand (Trek-Segafredo).  This group really has the power and the palmares to be a serious threat to run away with the race.  Staying away for another 34 kilometers might be a bit tough, but others have done as much just last year.  Unfortunatley for these ladies, that rider is chasing them from behind.

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-2021/3808285-44-290150/Painting/the-next-to-try-lbl21-9.html

Ronde Van Vlaanderen: Forcing a Selection

 Most of the 110 kilometers covered thus far in the race had been gruppo compacto (one large peloton). As they hit the Kanarieberg, Annemiek Van Vleutin (Movistar) went to the front and drove the pace.  She was covered by some of the big names in the sport including Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig (FDJ Nouvelle-Aquitaine Futuroscope), Anna Van Der Breggen (Team SD Worx) and Marianne Vos (Jumbo-Visma).  Vos is not in the black and yellow of her team's colors because she is wearing the Fushia of the points leader of the Women's Pro Tour.  The plan worked, dropping the large group down to about fifteen serious contenders for the victory on the day.

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/Spring-Classics-2021/3804604-27-290150/Painting/forcing-a-selection-rvv21-2.html

La Course, One of These Six?

It was looking like these six had made the move of the day.  They had slipped off the front of the main peloton at the summit of the Cote de Rimiez and pushed their advantage on the rolling climb and following descent back down to Nice.  Anna Hendersen (Sunweb) took a drink as she rolled to the back of the pace line.  Ahead of her were Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig (FDJ Nouvelle Aquitaine Futuroscope), Lotte Kopecky (Lotto Soudal Ladies), Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon SRAM), and Christine Majerus (Boels Dolman). It was Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek-Segafredo Women) that was driving the pace on the highway back into Nice.

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-2020/3686989-7-282744/Painting/one-of-these-six-lc20-2.html