Tour de France Femmes, Final Stage: In the Alps

The Tour de France Femmes has been in the Alps since yesterday, but this image just captured the vibe of riding and racing in the French alps for me.  This group of seven has just broken clear of the much larger early break as they started up the Col du Glandon.  On the tail of this group is Alice Maria Arzuffi (Ceratizit-WNT) just ahead of her is Liane Lippert (Movistar) along with Lucinda Brand (Lidl-Trek) and Katrine Aalerud (Uno X-Mobility) to mention a few of those that I can make out in this painting.  They have already built up almost a minute and a half on their erstwhile companions with another 62 kilometers to ride.  The next eleven of those kilometers are up to the top of the mountain.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"In the Alps TdFF24-38" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France Femmes '24, Stage 6: With All Her Heart

Cedrine Kerboal's (Ceratizit-WNT) joy was unmistakable as she soloed to victory in Morteau.  She had jumped away on the final climb and left everyone in awe as she flew down the other side of the Cote des Fris.  She may have known that she didn't have enough of a gap to take the lead in the general classification, but regardless, she took the time to savor and celebrate her stage win.  It is the first stage win for a Frenchwoman in this year's Tour de France Femmes.  She took the stage with a twenty-one second advantage and got another ten second time bonus, so she now sits just sixteen seconds off of the Maillot Jaune in second place overall.  She will need to be careful tomorrow, third is just three seconds back and forth is only three more seconds behind that.  This should set up for some exciting racing capped off by mountain top finishes for the last two stages of the race.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"With All Her Heart TdFF24-32" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France Femmes '24, Stage 6: High Risk = High Reward

I will admit that I was scared by the way Cedrine Kerbaol (Ceratizit-WNT) flew off the top of the /cote des Fris.  Not because she was bad at it.  No.  She was incredibly good at it, and incredibly fast, too.  Once she attacked the others, she quickly built a twenty-nine second lead on the others.  One woman went on the attack with her but couldn't keep up on the descent.  In fact, she went back into the peloton less than halfway down the cote.  With just seven kilometers left to race all she had to do was not crash and she should win the stage.  If she can pull out another couple of seconds along with the stage win, she will also take over 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 work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"High Risk = High Reward TdFF24-31" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France Femmes '24, Stage 6: Knowing When to Go

All along the side of the road today fans have been waving signs, create yard art, and generally cheering on one of their own, Juliette Labous (DSM-Firmenich-PostNL).  Once the peloton had caught the last of the women in the early breakaway, the French Champion used her knowledge of her local roads to launch an attack on the Cote des Fris.  Her move was covered by Mavi Garcia (Liv-Alula-Jayco) and another Frenchwoman Cedrine Kerbaol (Ceratizit-WNT).  The trio got a bit of a gap, but they were all to high up in the general classification to be allowed much of a gap.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Knowing When to Go TdFF24-30" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France Femmes '24, Stage 2: Getting Herself Sorted

Today has been a day of touching wheels.  Seeming no serious injuries, but a day of crashes and road rash plagued the first of two stages today.  With another 54 kilometers of the 69 kilometer stage Nina Berton (Ceratizit-WNT) went down by herself, leaving a bit of her skin on the road towards Rottendam.  She is wearing a yellow race number which signifies that she is on the best placed team in the team competition.  She was able to get her chain back on and get underway before her team car arrived to provide aid.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Getting Herself Sorted TdFF24-6" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour de France Femmes 23, Stage 6: Caring for Her Young Teammate

Earlier in the stage, the White Jersey of Cedrine Kerbaol (Certizit-WNT) had been dangling off the back of the peloton.  Apparently, she recovered by the time the peloton had just thirty-one kilometers to reach Blagnac.  Nestled in the embrace of the peloton it seems that her teammate Kathrin Schweinberger had a few encouraging words for the best placed young rider in this Tour de France Femmes.  Just ahead of her I could make out the number of Barbara Malcotti (Human Powered Health).  Also around her were women on the teams of Jayco-Alula, EF Education-TIBCO-SVB, and Israel-Premier Tech.  Now that she is back into the peloton it is probably safe to assume she will be able to keep the Maillot Blanc of best young rider that she has had from the opening stage for at least one more day.  Dispite the evidence of today, she is reportedly a good climber so perhaps tomorrow's ascent of both the Col d'Aspin and the Col du Tourmalet won't endanger the jersey either.

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-2023/3968622-179-297438/Painting/caring-for-her-young-teammate-tdff23-35.html

 

Tour de France Femmes 23, Stage 6: Working Together

With Agnieszka Salniak-Sojka (Canyon-SRAM) up the road, and Sandra Alonso (Ceratizit-WNT) somewhere in the middle, Emma Norsgaard (Movistar) took off in search of the escapees.  As Norsgaard got up with Alonso, the former was able to jump onto the wheel of the Norwegian.  By the time she reached Salniak-Sojka, there was only about forty-two kilometers left to race.  As her director sportif passed an ice sock the two rolled pass the 800 kilometers ridden in this Tour de France Femmes.  The trio worked well together and increased their lead over the peloton to just shy of two minutes.  Again, today is the last stage of the race that could be considered a day for the sprinters so I would assume it was unlikely these three will be vying for the win in Blagnac.

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-2023/3968608-178-297438/Painting/working-together-tdff23-34.html

 

Tour de France Femmes 23, Stage 4: The Back of the Front

When the on air broadcast started I found out that there was a group of fourteen women with just shy of ten minutes on the peloton and the Maillot Juane.  That put two of the lead group in to the Maillot Jaune Virtuale.  Virtually everyone in the group was ahead of yellow on time, but I can't imagine that those teams not represented are going to let these riders stay so far of the front.  At this point when the camera found them, Alice Maria Arzuffi (Ceratizit-WNT), Jeanne Korevaar (Liv Racing TeqFind), Celia Le Movel (St Michel-Auber-93) and Anouska Koster (Uno-X) were on the back of the group.  That doesn't necessarily mean that they were suffering.  The fourteen were working well together and they may well have just had their turn pulling on the front.

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-2023/3967863-161-297438/Painting/the-back-of-the-front-tdff23-17.html

Paris Roubaix Femmes 23: Still Away

The early break away was still away as the remaining six rolled onto the fabled velodrome in Roubaix.  As they approached the line they were led into the bell lap with Marta Lach (Ceratizit-WNT) on the front.  She was followed by Alison Jackson (EF Education-TIBCO-SVB).  To Jackson’s left was Lisa Klein ISD Worx).  Just after I painted this, Klein crashed.  Surprising since this was the smoothest stretch of road of the entire 145 kilometers of racing.  They were joined in the race for the line by their fellow break away companions, Katia Ragusa (LIV Racing TeqFind), Emilia Fahlin (FDJ-Suez), Martha Truyen (Felix-Deceunick) and Marron Borras (St. Michel-Mavic-Auber93).  So while they only had about 15 seconds on the peloton, their ride is proof that every once in a while the break away actually succeeds. 

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-/3944974-527-195767/Painting/still-away-prf23-7.html

Paris Roubaix Femmes 23: Tete de la Course

As they neared the end of the final truly bad section of pave, Sector 4, the Carrefour de l’Arbre, the early break away was now reduced to just six women.  Marta Lach (Ceratizit-WNT) led them over the cobble stones as she had over most every sector.  Behind her the former Canadian champion, Alison Jackson (EF Education-TIBCO-SVB followed in turn by the Swede on the French team, Emilia Fahlin (FDJ-Suez) swung left pass the gendarmes, press photographers and all of the screaming fans.  With the wreck behind, they were able to stretch out their advantage on those chasing behind.

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-/3944957-525-195767/Painting/tete-de-la-course-prf23-5.html

This painting is sold!

Tour Femmes '22, Stage 4: Uncontested

While the major points in the sprint were already up the road in the three woman break away, it was a little odd that the intermediate sprint wasn't really contested.  As the peloton arrived at Bar sur Seine, they seemed to let Lorean Wiebes (DSM) go over the line first without really challenging her.  She sits in second place in the competition but Marianne Vos (Jumbo-Visma) is in the Maillot Jaune, so the wearing of the jersey falls to Wiebes.  Following her across the line to the cheers of fans lining the road were Maria Giulia Confalonieri (Ceratizit-WNT), Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx) and her own teammate, Pfeiffer Georgi.  Kopecky is sitting third in the competition for the sprinters' green jersey, but loss two points for the woman ahead of her (both on the road and in the points tally).

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-2022/3896022-162-294403/Painting/uncontested-tdff22-21.html

Tour Femmes '22, Stage 4: Getting Away Quickly

After a multiude of attacks in the early kilometers of the stage, this looked to be the group that the peloton seemed to be willing to let go up the road.  The move was started by Coralie Demay (St. Michel-Auber93) who opened up a bit of a gap rather quickly.  Both Valerie Demey (Liv Racing Xstra) and Laura Asencio (Ceratizit-WNT) saw that this one my be the move that goes, and joined her in the effort.  Once it was a group of three, they quickly opened a gap of almost two and a half minutes.  It is a good idea to get a bit of an advantage before the white gravel roads of the wine vineyards that lay ahead.

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-2022/3896021-161-294403/Painting/getting-away-quickly-tdff22-20.html

Tour Femmes '22, Stage 1: Someone is Coming

Anne Dorthe Ysland (Uno-X) looks back to see Marta Lach (Ceratizit-WNT) trying to bridge up to her and Femke Markus (Parkhotel-Valkenburg).  The soon to be threesome were hoping to get to the top of the Champs Elysees first because the first Queen of the Mountains points awaited them there.  While the Champs is consider a flat stage for the sprinters, there is quite a rise up from the Louvre to the l'Arc Triomphe.  It is nice to see that someone finally award some mountain points for the eight times up this climb that the women will have done when they get there.  Coincidently, that is the total number of laps the men will be doing later today.  It was Markus who will be pulling on the first Maillot a Pois of the Tour de France Femmes.

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-2022/3895580-138-294403/Painting/someone-is-coming-tdff22-4.html

Gent-Wevelgem Women '22: Appearing When It Matters

All race long Elisa Balsamo (Trek-Segafredo) had been lurking around the back of the peloton allowing her teammates to chase down all of the attacks (it is their job since she is the team leader). Yet here she was showing herself just when being seen meant she was able to take out the victory in the eleventh edition of the women's Gent-Wevelgem.  Just off camera it was last year's winner Marianne Vos (Jumbo-Visma) taking second, with Maria Giulia Confalonieri (Ceratizit-WNT) taking the last step of the podium.  Perhaps because she kept going in all of the break away attempts, Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx) had to settle for fouth on the day.  Those waving the Belgium flag behind the mass sprint would have dearly prefered the Belgium champion to have one rather than the Italian in the World Champion's Rainbow Jersey.

This is the last of this race's paintings.  I'll be back next week with both the men's and women's Ronde Van Vlaanderen.  There will be more races after that with the big one being both the Tour de France and the Tour de France Femmes this July.

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/3875783-40-207546/Painting/appearing-when-it-matters-gw22-13.html

Paris Roubaix Femmes: Poursuivantes

After crashed, mud splatters, and fishtailing in the mud this rather large group of chasers began to get themselves organized into a full on chase of the lone woman up the road.  It was Lisa Brennauer (Ceratizit-WNT) and Christine Majerus (SD Worx) leading the chase both in their national champion’s jerseys.  As the road across Section 9, the Pont Thibaut a Ennevelin, they were almost two and a half minutes behind the lone leader.  With 38 kilometers left to race, it was mathematically likely that they would all catch their prey, however it is a former world champion they were hunting.

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/Spring-Classics-2021/3839944-50-290150/Painting/poursuivantes-pr21-3.html

Ronde Van Vlaanderen: "We've Got to Work Together"

Demi Vollering (Team SD Worx) seemed to be trying to get this elite group of chasers to work together.  Up the road was the two time World Champion in the individual time trial so it wasn't going to be easier to chase her down.  Their only hope was their superior strength in numbers.  It was going to be a hard sell for Vollering, her teammate, Anna Van Der Breggan was the best sprinter in the group and the World Champion on the road.  Hanging on the back seeming to be struggling was the Italian National Champioin, Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek-Segafredo). Others trying to chase down the flying Dutch woman were Marta Cavalli (FDJ Nouvelle-Aquataine Futuroscope) and her teammate Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig, Lisa Brennauer (Ceratizit-WNT) in her German Champion jersey.  Rounding out the group was the Australian, Grace Brown (BikeExchange).  

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-2021/3804621-30-290150/Painting/weve-got-to-work-together-rvv21-5.html

La Course, Wanting to Be Queen

While I watched the two races in reverse order, it was the women who first raced around the streets of Nice and up the Cote de Rimiez.  Unlike the men, the women's race started out by going straight for the climb to the Queen of the Mountain points.  With such a blistering pace on the climb, it wasn't long before many of within the peloton found their day over before it even started.  As the peloton neared the summit, Christine Majerus (Boels-Dolmans), the oft champion of Luxembourg, jumped free to collect the maximum points on the climb.  If the same rules were applied as for the men, it means she claims the Maillot a Pois of Queen of the Mountains.  Giving chase was Maria Guila Confalonieri (Ceratizit-WNT) and it was Dani Christmas (Lotto Soudal Ladies) taking second over the cote for the first time.

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-2020/3686988-6-282744/Painting/wanting-to-be-queen-lc20-1.html