Tour, Stage 17: Here We Go!

Attacks were expected from the very start of the shortest road stage of the Tour from the moment the racers got the green light.  Without a neutralized start and right on to the first climb of the day most thought it would be a general classification race from the get-go.  Instead it wasn't until the base of the final climb, the Col du Portet that the first move was made.  The first to go was Dan Martin (UAE Team Emirates) who was quickly countered by Nairo Quintana (Movistar).  Both riders have had bad luck in the first week of the Tour, and both were much lower down on the general classification than they had hoped and that their talent would leave us all to suspect.  Behind them, Geraint Thomas (Sky) lifted the pace to chase.  The rest of the his team kept their usual tempo, and Thomas soon joined them.  The attacking duo was too far down to effect them, so Sky was going to force others to chase.

You can watch this painting, along with one painting from every stage of the Tour thus far, come to life on my You Tube Channel.  I hope you will watch, give it a thumbs up, and become a subscriber.  I talk about the Tour, bike racing and how to create interesting and vibrant watercolors as I draw and paint this piece of live artwork.

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-2018/3193931-90-251072/PaintingHere-We-Go!--T18-89.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 8: Having to Chase

The Irishman, Dan Martin (UAE Team Emirates) is seeing both sides of this Tour de France.  He took the stage atop Mur de Bretagne two days ago and today he finds himself in a desperate chase at the end of stage 8.  With just four kilometers left to the line in Amiens, it doesn't look like the bloodied Martin will see the peloton again.  In fact despite the efforts of his teammates, including Kristijan Durasek, he lost just under a minute on the day.  His Tour is now where near over, but the mishap didn't help his chances.  It does remain to be seen if his injuries were relatively minor (as they appear) or if they included broken bones and torn ligaments.  The racer's adrenaline will help them jump back up and finish a stage but it may hide the actual damage that has been done.

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-2018/3187348-39-251072/PaintingHaving-to-Chase--T18-39.html

Tour, Stage 6: The Strength of the Irish

Clearly I am paraphrasing here.  The old saying is "the luck of the Irish," but luck had very little to do with Dan Martin's (UAE Team Emirates) stage victory atop the Mur de Bretagne.  The last time the Tour came here, he was just beaten out by a rider from Ag2r La Mondiale.  Today he wasn't going to let anyone come around him, even as another Ag2r rider, Pierre Latour, was trying to catch the Irishman's wheel.  Behind, Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) took third on the day and a one second time bonus over the other main contenders finishing in the group behind.  The day had little effect on the GC with the small exception of Dumoulin dropping a few places out of the top ten.  There is still fifteen stages of racing to get 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-2018/3186872-31-251072/PaintingThe-Strength-of-the-Irish--T18-31.html

Liege Bastogne Liege: No Luck for the Irish

Clearly this title is a play on the expression, "the luck of the Irish."  Dan Martin (UAE Team Emirates) - an Irish racer - had his team doing all of the chasing in hopes of a dramatic finish on the day.  On the final climb he kept attacking to bridge across to the lone escapee, only to be pulled back by the rest of the select group.  To add insult to that injury, he had a poorly timed flat front tire that required help from the Mavic neutral service vehicle.  While the mechanic was quite fast, with just eight kilometers left, it was clear to Martin, that it wasn't going to be his day again.  At one point during the wheel change, you could see him pound his helmet in frustration (not at the mechanic) knowing that his team's hard work would come to naught.

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/Spring-Classics-/3151258-428-195767/PaintingNo-Luck-for-the-Irish--LBL18-8.html

Fleche Wallone: HIs Fourth in a Row

Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) has owned the final climb up the Mur de Huy, and today was no exception.  Once the attack was made by FDJ, Valverde went on the offensive.  Try as they might, no one was able to catch the Spaniard's wheel.  With his arms raised in a victory salute (that include a pantomine of shooting an arrow), Valverde claimed his fourth straight victory in Huy and his fifth for his career.  Closing, but not fast enough, was Dan Martin (Quickstep) who took second on the day.  Rounding out the peloton was Dylan Teuns (BMC).

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

With the start of the Giro d'Italia, I will be crowd funding my third cycling art book through Kickstarter.  Please feel free to become a follower of this blog to be informed of the project and your chance to participate in helping to make it happen.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/2952641-404-195767/PaintingHis-Fourth-in-a-Row-FW17-8.html

Paris Nice, Final Stage: Hitting Hard

As soon as Philip Deignan (Sky) swung off of the front of the peloton were he was working for his team leader (and Yellow Jersey wearer), Sergio Henao, Jarlison Pantano (Trek-Segafredo) attacked the Maillot Jaune pulling his team leader Alberto Contador along.  The Trek-Segafredo duo seemed to be laying in wait for the moment to pounce.  Contador has a tradition of not waiting to the final climb of the day to go on the offensive.  Adding to that is the fact that he started the day 31 seconds behind the Colombian, Sergio Henao.  Riding on the wheel of the Yellow Jersey is Dan Martin (Quickstep).  He doesn't want to aid in the chase because he has a teammate up the road.  At this point he can afford to let Contador go, and worry about his over all placing as they get closer to Nice.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2932884-374-195767/PaintingHitting%20Hard%20PN17-38.html

Tour of Britain, Stage 2: Getting Away

This foursome, Dylan Van Baarle (Cannondale-Drapac), Jochem Hoekstra (Giant-Alpecin), Dan Martin (Etixx-Quickstep), and Steve Cummings (Dimension Data), was trying to drop the rest of the group that they were with.  None of them felt like pulling passengers along to catch the five that were still up the road.  Hoekstra took a quick peak over his shoulder to see if they had dropped the rest, it looked like Van Baarle would soon be added to the number who was dropped.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20Britain/2848049-40-189075/PaintingGetting%20Away%20ToB14-Greig-Leach.html#.V84bP5grLIU

Tour, Stage 17: Hoping to Stay Away

After Astana had played its cards on both the Col de la Forclaz and the earlier slopes of the climb up Finhaut-Emosson to no avail, it was Dan Martin (Etixx-Quickstep) who was the next to attack the Sky train.  As the Irishman looked over his shoulder to check the gab, he could see Tony Gallopin (Lotto Soudal) sliding back down through the back.  Team Sky has learned not to react to these attacks particularly if the rider is as far down the GC as Martin.  The man on the front for Sky, Wout Poels, will just push a little harder on the down stroke and slowly reel the escapee back in.  As they reel on in another will lose contact with the back of the group, and on and on it goes.  Dan Martin may not have actually been attacking the Maillot Jaune, but rather going on the offensive to move himself up from his tenth place overall.  With others already off the back, any timed gained could move him closer to the podium in Paris.  Closer.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  While you are on the site, be sure to check out my other works of art and my two cycling books.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Bear in mind that this is a one of a kind original and once it is gone, it is gone.

To buy this painting, follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2826275-124-224974/PaintingHoping%20to%20Stay%20Away%20TdF125-Greig-Leach.html#.V5AGj7iAOko

Tour, Stage 8: Testing the Legs

Once his final teammate had to swing off, Chris Froome (Sky) made the attack that everyone was waiting for.  Using the steepest section of the Col de Peyresourde, the two time champion of the Tour, put in one of his signatures accelerations.  This time his main rivals, Nairo Quintana (Movistar), Dan Martin (Etixx-Quickstep) and Tejay van Garderen (BMC) amongst others, were up for the challenge, quickly reigning the leader of  Team Sky in.  Perhaps Froome was just repeating the effort of gaining some King of the Mountain points as he had done on the previous climb.  Froome had won both the Maillot Jaune and the Maillot a Pois last year, could he be trying to repeat the feat again this year?

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  While you are on the site, be sure to check out my other works of art and my two cycling books.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Bear in mind that this is a one of a kind original and once it is gone, it is gone.

To buy this painting, just follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2821648-54-224974/PaintingTesting%20the%20Legs%20TdF54-Greig-Leach.html#.V4HtzrgrLIU

Tour, Stage 8: Still Okay?

The teams of Movistar and Sky kept trading off the pace making on the front of the ever dwindling peloton.  As the boys on the British Team Sky pushed the pace on the Col de Val Louron Azet, Mikel Nieve looked over at the unzipped jacket and sweat dripping face of Geraint Thomas asking if he was still okay.  Riding just behind the near metronomic Team Sky was the Irishman, Dan Martin (Etixx-Quickstep).  So many of the top contenders for the overall victory in Paris on the same time added to the fact that the Yellow Jersey was already seven minutes behind the peloton meant that a stage win would yet again give the winner the race lead to boot.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  While you are on the site, be sure to check out my other works of art and my two cycling books.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Bear in mind that this is a one of a kind original and once it is gone, it is gone.

To buy this painting, just follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2821639-51-224974/PaintingStill%20Okay?%20TdF51-Greig-Leach.html#.V4HjtLgrLIU

Dauphine, Final Stage: Sprinting for Second

Both Dan Martin (Etixx-Quickstep) and Romain Bardet (Ag2r La Mondiale) were fighting it out for second place.  Oddly, both succeed.  Martin got the second place on the stage and the six bonus seconds moved him in to third overall for the 68th Criterium du Dauphine.  Bardet missed second on the stage but his time and the two second bonus put him into second overall.  Ever vigilant Team Sky was represented by Wouter Poels who finished fourth on the stage, but it may be argued that he, Sergio Henao, Mikel Landa and Chris Froome boxed in Richie Porte (BMC) to ensure that he couldn't overtake Froome in the closing meters of the day (although gaining six seconds and a time bonus was highly unlikely).  In the end, no harm no foul, and it most likely was completely innocent.  But in the words of some NASCAR driver, "That's racing."

This will do it for me until the start of the Tour de France in just 19 days.  Now it is time to focus on some other projects.  See you in July!

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  While you are on the site, be sure to check out my other works of art and my two cycling books.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Bear in mind that this is a one of a kind original and once it is gone, it is gone.

Be sure to check out my second cycling art book, Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships, available online or through your local book seller.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Criterium%20du%20Dauphine/2807395-84-185083/Painting.html#.V12qn_krLIU

Dauphine, Final Stage: Here We Go Now

If any of the contenders wanted to take the Yellow Jersey away from Chris Froome (Sky) they were going to have to attack on the penultimate climb up the Col du Noyer.  Etixx-Quickstep had been laying the ground work across the valley before turning onto the mountain road, but it was Alberto Contador (Tinkoff) who was the first to strike out in hopes of reclaiming his leader's jersey that he put on after the Prologue.  The first to try to go with the Spaniard was Pierre Rolland (Cannondale), but he just doesn't have Contador's explosive climbing abilities.  Etixx-Quickstep didn't panic, they just kept on keeping on.  Froome didn't react immediately either, but then that is the metronome style of Team Sky.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  While you are on the site, be sure to check out my other works of art and my two cycling books.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Bear in mind that this is a one of a kind original and once it is gone, it is gone.

Be sure to check out my second cycling art book, Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships, available online or through your local book seller.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Criterium%20du%20Dauphine/2807371-80-185083/Painting.html#.V12V6fkrLIU

Dauphine, Final Stage: All Strung Out

You don't need a speedometer to tell when the peloton is going full speed, you just have to look at its shape.  When it is in a long thin line, it means the guys on the front are hammering!  Etixx-Quickstep went into the final stage with a plan.  The team had Dan Martin sitting fourth overall, and Julian Alaphilippe was sixth while wearing the White Jersey of best young rider.  With both riders less than a minute down on the Maillot Juane of Chris Froome (Sky), they were doing their best to weaken Team Sky and the others that sat before them on the General Classification.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  While you are on the site, be sure to check out my other works of art and my two cycling books.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Bear in mind that this is a one of a kind original and once it is gone, it is gone.

Be sure to check out my second cycling art book, Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships, available online or through your local book seller.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Criterium%20du%20Dauphine/2807368-79-185083/Painting.html#.V12R7vkrLIU

Dauphine, Stage 6: Left to Chase

The reduced peloton lead by Mikel Landa, Sergio Henao and the Yellow Jersey of Chris Froome was gaining on those up the road.  At least, they were until Romain Bardet launched his final attack.  Froome knew that he had a minute and 52 seconds on the Frenchman riding for Ag2r, but he had to keep chasing.  Tucked onto Froome's wheel were the three riders just behind him on the General Classification, and they were riding in the placing order as well.  Richie Porte (BMC), Alberto Contador (Tinkoff) and Dan Martin (Etixx-Quickstep) all shared Froome's desire to pull back the brown and pale blue clad Bardet.  The slopes of Meribel were stacking up to deliver the excitement everyone was expecting on the penultimate stage of the Dauphine.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  While you are on the site, be sure to check out my other works of art and my two cycling books.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Bear in mind that this is a one of a kind original and once it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Criterium%20du%20Dauphine/2807218-75-185083/Painting.html#.V1zudvkrLIU

Dauphine, Stage 5, Sprinting for Third

With the final step of the podium still up for grabs, this trio comprised of Dan Martin (Etixx-Quickstep), Adam Yates (Orica-GreenEdge) and the Yellow Jersey of Alberto Contador (Tinkoff) sprinted as hard as the over climbed legs could go.  Martin was hoping to move himself higher in the GC and to represent the team since Julian Alaphilippe (Etixx-Quickstep) was suffering further down the mountain.  Yates also hoped to move up and was able to just nip the third slot from Martin at the line.  Of course, Contador was hoping to minimize his loses on the day.  He had been claiming that he did not want to wear the leader's jersey throughout the race, but he has made it a little difficult to reclaim it from a very on form Froome.

Ultimately, Martin moved himself into 4th place just 37 seconds back and Yates slid into 6th looking for 52 seconds.  With 2 more stages to race and eleven more climbs to surmount this race is hardly decided.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  While you are on the site, be sure to check out my other works of art and my two cycling books.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Bear in mind that this is a one of a kind original and once it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Criterium%20du%20Dauphine/2806627-70-185083/Painting.html#.V1vDPvkrLIU

Dauphine, Prologue: The Final Meters

This was a beautiful shot that each TV Moto riding behind the riders managed to catch.  At this point Dan Martin (Etixx-Quickstep) had just 75 meters left to ride and his time was looking great!  He was just seconds behind the leader thus far, Alberto Contador (Tinkoff), and a very short distance left to cover.  Martin didn't take the leader's spot, but he left himself in a very good position for the over all race.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company art supplies.  This painting is also available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  While you are there be sure to check out all of the cycling art, and other types of work, along with my two cycling books.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  And yes, international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Criterium%20du%20Dauphine/2803615-39-185083/Painting.html#.V1TampErLIU

Tour de France, Stage 12: At the Back of the Peloton

For those who lined the side of the road to watch the Tour go by, it is quite the party.  Many have camped for days just to catch a glimpse of their cycling heros.  I, and the cameramen of the Tour, where intrigued by the group of bikini clad women and nearly naked men on the roof of the vintage VW Microbus.  The red bib numbers on the back of Dan Martin (Cannondale Garmin) marks him as the most aggressive rider of the previous days stage.  Martin twice road across large gabs between groups on the road to claim is second second place finish of the 102nd Tour de France.  While I am sure he was honored to be given the title of Most Aggressive, I am sure he would have preferred the stage victory more.

This is an original small watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes that came from Jack Richeson & Company (www.richesonart.com), a small mid western family run art supply company with excellent art supplies.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this painting for only $60 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  International shipping is available.  Don't delay, it is a one of a kind original painting, so when it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2581402---210122/Painting.html#.VahffvlViko

Tour de France, Stage 11: Still One More

Dan Martin (Cannondale Garmin) who had made a spectacular bridge across from the peloton to the break away up the Col d'Aspin, was the first to summit that Col.  He then hung with the lead group up the Col du Tourmalet until the last kilometer of the group.  Well technically, he did hold on to the group, he just wasn't able to go with the attacks put in by Rafal Majka (Tinkoff Saxo) and Serge Pauwels (MTN-Qhubeka).  Both Majka and Pauwels slipped away from the others and gained more time on the fast descent off of the Tourmalet.  Pauwels couldn't hold onto Majka across the valley, and Martin was able to catch the Belgium on the final climb up to the finishing line, but just didn't have enough road to catch the climber from Poland.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for just $60 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Don't delay, this is a one of a kind original, so once it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2581040---210122/Painting.html#.VacpJvlViko

Tour de France Stage 11 I Can't Go W\with You

With the early break almost four minutes up the road, Dan Martin (Cannondale Garmin) jumped out of the peloton in search of the men up the road.  He was joined by Andriy Grivko (Astana) but as the pair where about half way up the Col d'Aspin, Grivko seemed to be losing steam.  As Martin flicked his elbow, a sign for the rider behind to come around and take a pull, Grivko stayed where he was.  After a few more elbow flicks, Martin turned around and Grivko gave him the hands to the neck symbol, I am done for.  Martin thin jumped on the pedals leaving the Astana rider to be picked up by the peloton, as he went on in search of the top of the climb.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for just $60 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Don't delay, this is a one of a kind original, so once it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2580858---210122/Painting.html#.VaauwPlViko