Tour Down Under '23, Stage 3: Brought Back by a Star

After a crash Corbin Strong (Israel-Premier Tech) was first helped out by the four time Tour de France winner (and teammate) Chris Froome.  Then as the two were back underway, it was Froome doing the work to get Strong back into the peloton.  After all Strong was the best place member of the general classification on the team.  I use to not be a fan of Froome, but his time with his new team has earned my respect.  That and just how are he has worked to get back to the elite level after his crash in Paris Nice a few years back.

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/3928152-163-194179/Painting/brought-back-by-a-star-tdu23-17.html

Tour '22, Stage 12: In the Front Group

It was great to see Chris Froome (Israel-Premier Tech) on the offensive today.  To have come back from a spectacular crash two years ago, one that left him questioning whether he would ever walk again, is amazing, even more so to be competitive in the Tour.  He was able to latch onto the fast descent of Pidcock and join the other six riders up the road.  On the tail with Froome is Guilio Ciccone (Trek-Segafredo) who had come across on the climb.  Ahead of these two were Albert Torres (Movistar), Sebastian Schonberger (B&B Hotels-KTM) and Kobe Goosens (Intermache-Wanty Gobert) amongst others.  Now that he was here, it remains to be seen how he will do climbing up the difficult Haute Catagorie Col de la Croix de Fer.

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. 

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3893848-72-294403/Painting/in-the-front-group-tdf22-72.html

TDF, Stage 16: Another Tough Day

Chris Froome (Israel Start Up Nation) has had some good days in this Tour, but today wasn't looking like it was going to be one of them.  He finished twenty-three minutes behind the stage winner today, but then the Maillot Jaune along with the main peloton was sixteen minutes behind as well.  Froome is still on his way back from injuries that looked like he may never walk again.  He is doing much better than half of the men in the Tour.  I liked what Mark Cavendish had to say about Froome, "Don't count him out, he will be back," those are important words from someone who had been written off themselves.  Look what Cav has accomplished this Tour when it looked like he wouldn't have a team at the end of last year.

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

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/2021-Tour-de-France/3823757-100-291436/Painting/another-tough-day-tdf21-99.html

TDF, Stage 5 ITT: What Is His Form?

That is the constant question about Chris Froome (Israel Start Up Nation).  Today he left the start house much earlier than would be normal prior to his awful crash two years back before the Tour de France.  It was the kind of crash that would end most careers and keep most cyclist from ever being able to get back on a bike.  While he isn't his former self, he is back riding at a level that means he can compete in the biggest bike race in the world.  No one, including Froome himself, things he will win his fifth Tour this year, but that doesn't mean he won't do it eventually.

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

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/2021-Tour-de-France/3821223-26-291436/Painting/what-is-his-form-tdf21-25.html

Tour, Final Stage: Cheers!

The final stage of the Tour de France is broken into two distinct parts.  First the riders amble along on the way to Paris, chatting, visiting each other, and celebrating the fact that they have finished the incredible effort of racing the Tour de France.  Another tradition is the toast by the winning team, or the team of the winner toasting each other over a fight well fought.  Team Sky has been doing the arm and arm riding across the finish line for a while now, but today they road together toasting the horde of press motorcycles and photographers and each other.  Only one of the team didn't make it to Paris.  Gainni Moscon lost his temper and punched another contestant forcing his ejection from the race.  On Geraint Thomas's right are Michal Kwiatkowski and Chris Froome (who was the one in Yellow for four previous Tours de France) and on his left are Wout Poels and Luke Rowe.  Sadly, Egan Bernal and Jonathan Castroviejo were just out of frame.  Froome's work on behalf of his teammate and friend have forced me to re-evalutate my opinion of him.  He was kind, generous and did all he could once it was clear that Thomas was going to be the best place in the team, and that he would carry the Maillot Jaune to Paris.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France-2018/3196290-114-251072/PaintingCheers!--T18-113.html

This painting is sold!

Tour, Stage 20: What Can He Do?

The short answer to the question in this title, quite a lot.  Chris Froome (Sky) had dropped to fourth place yesterday in the final mountain stage of this Tour de France.  He was about nineteen seconds behind Primoz Roglic (Lotto NL Jumbo) who had won yesterday's stage.  He was another sixteen seconds out of second place held by Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb).  The race leader, Geraint Thomas, was a teammate and friend who currently held more than two minutes on Dumoulin.  Spoiler alert, Froome just missed out on the stage victory, and moved himself firmly back into third place.  Unfortunately for Froome, Dumoulin took the stage, and a whole second from the former four time winner of the Tour de France.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France-2018/3195916-109-251072/PaintingWhat-Can-He-Do?--T18-108.html

Tour, Stage 19: The Principle Players

While I was painting this I was thinking I would entitle it, "Watching the Principles" but I started writing the word "the" and I was kind of stuck.  These are still the principle players in this Tour being led by the young Colombian, Egan Bernal (Sky) sandwiched between the Sky duo of Geraint Thomas and Chris Froome (both on the road and on GC) is Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb).  At his point, Dumoulin must be trying to figure out how he is going to pull back time on the Maillot Jaune of Thomas.  He has finally gotten ahead of Froome only to have that not be enough to put him in yellow. 

The thought for the alternative title comes from the race referee who has popped his head out of the sunroof of the following race vehicle.  He is just making sure there are no vechicles between the various groups of cyclists that could offer an unfair aerodynamic advantage to one or another.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France-2018/3195552-104-251072/PaintingThe-Principle-Players--T18-103.html

Tour, Stage 17: Status Quo?

Yes, Nairo Quintana (Movistar) and Dan Martin (UAE Team Emirates) are up the road, but the top positions on the general classification seemed to be holding each other's wheels.  There isn't much change happening despite the pre-stage billing for fireworks on this final climb.  Right now, Romain Bardet (Ag2r La Mondiale) is on the back of the select group being led by Egan Bernal (Sky), with the maillot jaune of Geraint Thomas (Sky) on his wheel.  Next in line is Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb) and then it is Mikel Nieve (Movistar) and, oddly, Chris Froome (Sky) is hanging around the back.  Somewhere, but not in this painting, are two riders from Lotto NL Jumbo.  Just after I finished this painting, Bardet lost the wheel of Froome and slipped back down the mountain, and the GC.  I should point out the Orca on the back of Sky's jerseys.  They are supporting Ocean Rescue and drawing attention to the plastic pollution of our oceans. 

The fans on the side of the road do seem to be getting out of the way.  No one wants to take another big man of the Tour out of the race.  It is funny to see the one fan with the "Sagan" sign.  This isn't exactly the kind of terrain where the world champion shines.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France-2018/3193965-93-251072/PaintingStatus-Quo?--T18-92.html

Tour, Stage 14: Three, Two and One

For those in the General Classification, it was a draw today.  A few off of the podium positions lost a couple of seconds, but first, second and third crossed the line on the air strip in Mende together.  Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb) led Chris Froome and Geraint Thomas (Sky) over the line in reverse order of their GC standings.  Time bonuses were not on offer, these three were roughly 30th on the stage, over eighteen minutes behind the stage winner, Omar Fraile (Astana).  Froome looked a little week on the climb.  The Sky duo was expected to gain on Dumoulin on the sharp climb, but it was the Dutchman who put the British duo under pressure.  With the first of the Pyrennes coming after the rest day (and my birthday) it will be back to full on racing on Tuesday.  And Sunweb trying to figure out how they are going to shake up the GC.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France-2018/3191777-78-251072/PaintingThree,-Two-and-One--T18-77.html

Tour, Stage 12: Lining Up for a Sprint

The finale of the 12th stage atop Alpe d'Huez was a bit uncommon.  Normally, it is a sole rider that comes to the summit with a big gap on all of his competitors.  Today that should have been Steven Kruijswijk (Lotto NL Jumbo) but he was caught by the big boys on GC with about 3 kilometers left to race.  At one point the foursome of Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb), Geraint Thomas & Chris Froome (Sky) and Romain Bardet (Ag2r La Mondiale) were riding four abreast, waiting to see who would go first.  It was Bardet.  While these four were shadow boxing, Mikel Landa (Movistar), rejoined and two more riders were fast closing in.  It was looking like it was going to be a bunch sprint on a mountain top finish.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France-2018/3190140-68-251072/PaintingLining-Up-for-a-Sprint--T18-67.html

Tour, Stage 12: What Sky Does

Team Sky is a very effective team.  They have the budget and the riders to simply grind everyone else into dust.  At the base of the Alpe d'Huez they still had four guys on the front.  Michal Kwiatkowski was just about done doing what he could do, but that left Egan Bernal to take up the pace making.  Still sitting in the wings were Geraint Thomas, in the Maillot Jaune, and Chris Froome the defending Tour champion.  On their wheel was Primoz Roglic (Lotto NL Jumbo) happy that he has a man up the road, thus taking the pressure off of him to attack the Sky train.  It does leave the other teams and riders trying to figure out just what they can do to take the stage and/or the 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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France-2018/3190084-66-251072/PaintingWhat-Sky-Does--T18-65.html

Tour, Stage 9: Getting Cheeky

With the three up the road not likely to affect the final Maillot Jaune in Paris, Chris Froome (Sky) decided to see if he could catch the other GC men napping.  For those that were still in the main peloton, it wasn't going to happen.  Behind the Brit, Nairo Quintana (Movistar) and Dan Martin (UAE Team Emirates) covered the move, assisted by Sylvain Chavanel (Direct Energie).  Once Froome saw that he wasn't shaking anyone, he backed off the pace.  Seemingly guaranteeing that the three up the road would be vying for stage honors. 

I was less than thrilled with the banners of Century 21 realtors, but sometimes you just have to go with what is actually there.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France-2018/3187730-47-251072/PaintingGetting-Cheeky--T18-47.html

Tour, Stage 3 TTT, A Little Ragged

Today is one of the most beautiful of racing disciplines, the team time trial.  The entire team races against the clock together, each taking a turn to pull the others on the front while his teammates "rest" out of the wind behind.  Team Sky is sporting a new kit for the Tour, that replaces their classic stripe down their backs with an orca.  They are doing this to draw attention to the plastic pollution in the ocean.  A pollution that is being very harsh on the orca, amongst other residents of the seas.  Wout Poels is just losing the wheel of his teammates.  But it is of no worry for Chris Froome, the time will be taken when the fourth rider on the team crosses the line.  Today should be a chance for those like Froome on strong teams to move up on the general classification.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France-2018/3185243-11-251072/PaintingA-Little-Ragged--T18-11.html

Test Video for Live Painting the Tour de France

I apologize for getting the video orientation wrong, but then that is why you do a test ahead of the big event.  As always, I will be painting the Tour de France live, every stage, every day.  I will be sharing each and every painting here, as I do. But new this year will be a youtube channel, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLGX-TnjXDSkkOidUE6pN1g?view_as=subscriber in addition to sharing each painting here and posting them for sale on my website, www.greigleach.com.

All of the work is created using www.richesonart.com watercolors, particularly, St. Petersburg Yarks cake watercolors with Faber Castel ink pens.  I hope you will subscribe to the youtube channel and follow me here.  And then there is always twitter, https://twitter.com/ArtofCycling.

I'm looking to spending the month of July with you and the complete peloton of the Tour de France.

Giro, Final Stage, Curtain Call

All put one rider of Team Sky joined arms as they rode throught Roma in celebration of a quite historic win.  Missing was Vasil Kiryienka who pulled out two days ago.  Those who got to take the bow with their pink handlebar tape flashing (Froome has a brilliant pink bike instead) where, Chris Froome, Kenny Elissonde, David de la Cruz, Sergio Henao, Christian Knees, Wout Poels and Salvatore Puccio.  Earlier the announcers were claiming that Froome was the first rider to hold all three grand tour jersey at once.  While that isn't correct, he is now just one of three to accomplish that feat.  Miguel Indurain achieved that remarkable task and the great Eddy Merckx went on better, winning four consecutive grand tours.  Froome will be starting the Tour, so he could equal Merckx this July.

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.

This painting is sold!

Giro, Final Stage: First and Last

During the neutral role out, and through much of the early part of the stage (more about that later), riders had sometime to chat, congratulate each other, and generally revel in getting through to the final stage of the 101st Giro d'Italia.  Giuseppe Fonzi (Wilier Triestina) mad sure to congratulate Chriss Froome (Sky).  The pair represent the fastest, the Maglia Rosa and the slowest finisher, in the Tour de France, it is called the lantern rouge, here it is the Maglia Nera (black jersey).  While there was breifly an actual jersey awarded, now it is just a dubious honor.  For Fonzi, he was an animator of many break aways, so has no reason to hang his head.  Plus unlike some twenty plus riders, he made it to the final stage.  Beside the two, you can just see Elia Viviani (Quickstep) leaning in to chat with another rider on Team Sky.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/101st-Giro-dItalia/3170188-92-249297/PaintingFirst-and-Last-G18-96.html

Giro, Stage 20: Well Done

The first to reach out and shake Chris Froome's (Sky) hand was his most loyal lieutenant, Wout Poels.  Poels had been dropped by the multiple attacks on the final climb of the Giro.  He managed to claw his way back up to Froome and the rest of the contenders.  Not only did he rejoin, but he had the legs to lead out Froome in a sprint that added six more seconds to the Maglia Rosa's lead over Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb).  The only one holding onto the wheels of the Team Sky duo was Domenico Pozzovivo (Bahrain Merida), who had clearly recovered from his bad day on stage 19.  The next to cross was Richard Carapaz (Movistar) but he was unable to gain time on Angel Miguel Lopez's (Astana) Maglia Bianca.  So, no jerseys changed hands today, and it is very unlikely that any will change in Rome either.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/101st-Giro-dItalia/3169726-91-249297/PaintingWell-Done--G18-95.html

Giro, Stage 20: What He Must Do

Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb) had only one option if he was going to win the Giro d'Italia.  Attack, attack, attack.  With ten kilometers left to race for GC, Dumoulin went hard on a steep section of the climb up to Cervinia.  Chris Froome (Sky) was quickly on to the Dutchman's wheel.  The two traded blows the rest of the way up to the finish of the last stage of hostilities.  The stage on the streets of Rome will be one for the sprinters, but it is tradition not to attack the Maglia Rosa on the final day of the Giro, as it is in the Tour de France or the Veulta d'Espania.  At this point, Dumoulin was the only one in the group with a teammate.  He had the able assistance of Sam Oomen, who was hoping that he could help is team leader while also moving up in the Maglia Bianca for himself.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/101st-Giro-dItalia/3169717-89-249297/PaintingWhat-He-Must-Do--G18-93.html

Giro, Stage 20: The Fruit of His Labors

Team Sky just had to pay attention today.  Chris Froome's brilliant riding over the past two days have put him into the maglia rosa.   He has 46 seconds on the rider who has been second overall for the entire 101st Giro d'Italia, Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb).  As the peloton started up the Col Tescore, Froome had Salvatore Puccio and Sergio Henao in front and Wout Poels bringing up the rear.  They looked ready for anything Dumoulin would try.  None of the others were close enough to his lead to be much of a worry to the likely holder of all three grand tour titles similtaneously. 

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/101st-Giro-dItalia/3169465-85-249297/PaintingThe-Fruit-of-His-Labors--G18-89.html

Giro, Stage 19: Climbing into Pink

Chris Froome (Team Sky) pulled off an amazing feet today!  To be down almost four minutes on stage 17, and to have attacked solo with 75 kilometers that included two catagorized climbs, all to come alone to the line is stunning.  I truly hope it is a clean ride, it certainly was an exciting one!  Froome is now the Maglia Rosa with a forty second lead over the perpetual second place Tom Dumoulin (Team Sunweb).  With just one more day in the mountains, and as in the honor of stage racing, just one more day to fight out the general classification, it appears to be Froome's race.  That will make him the first rider in decades to hold the winner's jersey in all three grand tours at once.  Last season he took both the Tour de France and the Veulta d'Espania, and may well now have the next grand tour in succession, the Giro d'Italia.  Or he could blow tomorrow like he did after taking the stage to the top of Monte Zoncolan.

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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/101st-Giro-dItalia/3169155-84-249297/PaintingClimbing-into-Pink--G18-88.html