Tour de France 23, Stage 21: Toasting the Team

While this Tour has been anything put normal, still some traditions must be upheld.  One of the classics on the final day of the Tour, long before reaching Paris, is for the team of the Yellow Jersey to sip some champagne as they pose for the press.  Jumbo-Visma brought all of their team through the Tour except for one.  Wout Van Aert had left just after his team leader, Jonas Vingegaard, had opened up a seven minute lead on the man sitting in second.  Of course, that was not why he went home, it was to get there in time for the birth of his son.  So it was seven who toasted towards the camera on each side of Vingegaard.  To his left was Sepp Kuss, who's crash almost took him out of the Tour yesterday, then Wilco Kelderman, and Dylan Van Baarle, going the other way are Nathan Van Hooydonck and Christophe Laporte.  Vingegaard may have won the Tour but he couldn't have done it without the entire team.  To prove it, the team also was the winning team in this Tour, and unusual feet for the team of 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 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-2023/3967234-144-297438/Painting/toasting-the-team-tdf23-139.html

Tour de France 23, Stage 20: Launched by His Team

Giulio Ciccone (Lidl-Trek) set out at the start of the stage with just one goal, to secure the Maillot a Pois.  He was led to the top of the first climb, the Ballon d'Alsace, by none other than Mads Pedersen and it was Mattias Skjelmose who took him to the line.  As he went over in first place, he was followed in turn by both teammates, with Skjelmose taking second and Pedersen taking third.  Dylan Van Baarle (Jumbo-Visma) in his Dutch Champion's jersey just watched them get on with it.  He had a more important job to do.  He was on the front to look after his leaders Maillot Jaune.  Ciccone will need to go first over the first four climbs of the day to put the King of the Mountains title out of anyone else's reach.  His closest competitor, Felix Gall (Ag2r-Citroen) wasn't in the early break, so it is unlikely he will put up any resistance.  And the other, is Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) who is far more concerned with making sure he keeps his Maillot Jaune to bother with sprinting for KOM points.

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-2023/3966827-131-297438/Painting/launched-by-his-team-tdf23-131.html

 

Tour de France 23, Stage 14: Inspired by the Devil

I'm sure 'The Devil' aka Didi Stenft wasn't the one who got Jumbo-Visma to get onto the front of the peloton and push the pace to make the race as hard as possible in hopes of isolating their team leader's main rival.  But Didi was more than happy to run along side Wilco Kelderman and the Dutch Champion, Dylan Van Baarle as they lead the climb up the Col de la Ramez.  The team was hoping to put more than the eight seconds between their guy, Jonas Vingegaard, and Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates).  It is what UAE tried to do to them just the stage before.

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-2023/3965623-88-297438/Painting/inspired-by-the-devil-tdf23-88.html

Tour '22, Stage 10: Still Not Established

Perhaps it was the long downhill to kick off the stage, or perhaps it was due to yesterday's rest day, but it took a long, long time to get a break established in Stage 10.  Attack after attack was pulled back only to watch another group attempt to get away.  Finally, this bunch was beginning to look like they might be the ones to make it stick.  Anthony Perez (Cofidis) looks back to see who might be joining him in this effort.  Over his shoulder he could spy the Ineos-Grenadiers duo of Luke Rowe and Dylan Van Baarle.  He probably spotted the bright pink kit of the former King of the Mountains, Magnus Cort (EF Education-EasyPost).  However behind his opposite shoulder was Jack Bauer (BikeExchange-Jayco) and the American Tour neophyte Matteo Jorgenson (Movistar).  With 73 kilometers to go, it was the start of the Col de Jambaz the set up their departure from the grip of the peloton.

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-2022/3893260-53-294403/Painting/still-not-established-tdf22-53.html

Paris Roubaix '22: Time to Celebrate

I love it when I can use a title that has two different, and correct, meanings.  As Dylan Van Baarle (Ineos-Grenadier) rode around the fabled velodrome in Roubaix, he knew it was time to celebrate his victory of the 119th Paris Roubaix.  With a minute and forty seven seconds lead he also had plenty of time to celebrate the victory for both himself and the first ever for his team.  Paris Roubaix is one of the very few races that has eluded Ineos-Grenadiers or its previous names while they seem to have won every other race on the pro calender over the last nearly two decades.

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/Spring-Classics-/3879927-499-195767/Painting/time-to-celebrate-pr22-15.html

Paris Roubaix '22: Crossing on His Own

The way Dylan Van Baarle (Ineos-Grenadiers) left the peloton and set out to catch the leaders implied that he was going to be a force to reckon with in the remaining 48 kilometers.  He was now just 41 seconds behind as he turned onto the Mons En Prevele pave section.  Ahead it can be supposed that those ahead would welcome some fresher legs to help them stay away from the others.

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/Spring-Classics-/3879911-496-195767/Painting/crossing-on-his-own-pr22-12.html

Ronde Van Vlaanderen Men '22: Showing His Strength

It was a real flexing of his cycling muscles when Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Finix) got away on the final climb with Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates).  But when he had the legs to get up to speed so quickly as Dylan Van Baarle (Ineos-Grenadiers) and Valentin Madouas (Groupama-FDJ) closed in.  So naturally, he flexed his arms muscle as he punched the air in a victory salute.  Van Baarle did get around Madouas to take second, leaving Pogacar gesturing in frustration as he finished the day in first.  As it was said on air, he has only himself to blame having played "cat and mouse" in the final meters of the race.  A game that let the two that beat him in the sprint able to catch the leading duo.  He did seem to be whining about getting shut off in his sprint by Van Baarle, but it was a clean sprint that used clean lines.  I know I am most frustrated when things go wrong when I know it was my own fault, particularly when I knew that I wasn't ready for what could come.

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/Spring-Classics-/3876967-484-195767/Painting/showing-his-strength-rvv22-7.html

Ronde Van Vlaanderen Men '22: Letting Them Back In?

The front duo of Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Finix) and Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) came into the final kilometer with plenty of time to contest for first and second with no one else in the frame.  However, the two slowed each trying to force the other to the front.  As they were trying to beat the other those behind, including Valentin Madouas (Groupama-FDJ) and Dylan Van Baarle (Ineos-Grenadiers) were going flat out to catch the two leaders.  It seems like they may have blown it since those behind were at full speed while they were barely moving with just 250 meters to race.  Van Der Poel was looking back at least, so he got the jump on Pogacar as Madouas was upon them.

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/Spring-Classics-/3876963-483-195767/Painting/letting-them-back-in-rvv22-6.html 

Flanders 2021: Four Chasing One

With fifteen kilometers to race, this foursome was just 12 seconds behind the lone figure of Julian Alaphilippe (France).  Michael Valgren (Denmark) was on the front with Jasper Stuyven (Belgium) having just swung off the front.  Both Dylan van Baarle (Netherlands) and Nielson Powless (USA) were resting in the Dane’s draft before it was their turn to push the pace.  But try as the quartet might, they were continuing to lose time against the defending World Champion.  They never did catch him, leaving these four to fight it out for the remaining two steps of the podium.  Those went to Valgren, who took bronze, and Dylan van Baarle (Netherlands) who claimed silver.  After all the work that Team Belgium had but in all day, they missed out on the medals with Stuyven managing a fourth place.  The American, Powless, took fifth place ahead of a fast closing Thomas Piddcock (Great Britain).

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/Flanders-2021/3839019-33-292177/Painting/four-chasing-one-uci21-33.html

TDF, Stage 15: Getting Reinforcements

Team Ineos-Grenadiers set out with a perfect plan to help their sole leader, Richard Carapaz move up the GC (hopefully).  They used Richie Porte, Michal Kwiatkowski and Tao Geoghegan Hart leading up to the final climb of the day.  Once they were spent, they called Jonathan Castroveijo and Dylvan Baarle back from the early break to help push the pace now that the Maillot Jaune was isolated.  It is Van Baarle who is closes to the camera moto looking back to see when he should pick is pace back up.  They weren't able to get rid of Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates), but their fast descent dropped the guy in second place, Guillaume Martin (Cofidis).  In fact, Martin was the only contender they were able to dislodge from the very elite group of the Miallot Jaune.

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/3823340-95-291436/Painting/getting-reinforcements-tdf21-94.html

Tour, Stage 14: Racing to the Bottom

After the long hard stage, that was raced much faster than expected the peloton had two short steep climbs inside of the last twelve kilometers. Ineos-Grenadiers put Dylan Van Baarle, Michal Kwiatkowski and Luke Rowe on the front just in case their were attacks by those racing for the general classification.  Their team leader, Egan Bernal, lost about thirty seconds yesterday.  They didn't want to take the risk of losing any more time on a silly mistake.

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-2020/3699668-92-282744/Painting/racing-to-the-bottom-tdf20-86.html

Tour, Stage 2: Alaphilippe Goes!

Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-Quick Step) used the final climb up the Col des Quatre Chemins to launch an attack in hopes of taking the stage, and with it the Maillot Jaune.  As he went, it was only March Hirschi (Sunweb) that was able to go with the Frenchman.  As the pair went, Dylan Van Baarle (Ineos-Gernadiers) and Sep Kuss (Jumbo-Visma) could only stare in wonder, neither able to match the acceleration.  At the top of the climb there were bonus seconds on offer for the first three over the top, seconds that could make a big difference in the hunt for Yellow.

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-2020/3687335-17-282744/Painting/alaphilippe-goes-tdf20-11.html

Ronde van Vlaanderen: Still Chasing at 5K

I can only assume that Dylan Van Baarle (Cannondale-Drapac) and Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) were surprised that Philippe Gilbert was able to hold them off with five kilometers left to race.  The third member of this group, Niki Terpstra (Quickstep) had the job of monitoring the others and to not assist in the chase.  With his teammate up the road, he wasn't going to help the others to catch him.  And in the unlikely event that Gilbert gets caught, Terpstra would have the freshest legs and could then take the win for the team.

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.

It seems that the gremlins have reappeared in my interface with technology.  I am unable to upload the artwork to my website so if you are interested in purchase this piece please email me at greigsart@gmail.com.

Ronde van Vlaanderen: Giving Chase

The duo of Fabio Felline (Trek-Segafredo) and Dylan Van Baarle (Cannondale Drapac) hit the bottom of the Taaienberg with a lead of about thirty seconds on the peloton, but trailing the lone figure of Philippe Gilbert (Quickstep) by almost a minute.  Like E3 Harelbeke last week and Paris Roubaix next, the Ronde van Vlaanderen is punctuated with steep cobbled climbs lined by screaming cycling fans, many whom have spent the day enjoying the fine beers of Belgium.

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.

It seems that the gremlins have reappeared in my interface with technology.  I am unable to upload the artwork to my website so if you are interested in purchase this piece please email me at greigsart@gmail.com.

Tour of Britain, Stage 6: All Who Matter

With all of the early escapees back in the fold, it was time for the GC contenders to make their move.  Each of the hopefuls put a teammate on the front to ramp up the pace as they started up to the summit of Haytor, Dartmoor.  So Loic Vliegen (BMC) road for Rohan Dennis, Marco Mocato (Wanty Group Gobert), for Xandro Meurisse, and finally Jack Bauer (Cannondale-Drapac) for Dylan Van Baarle.  With just five kilometers left to race, all of them uphill, it was now the time to take over the lead of the Tour of Britain.  For Meurisse, it was time to make sure the King of the Mountians Jersey would be his on the final day.  The rest of the Tour are either a time trial or circuit races, with a win today, his lead would be unbeatable.

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/Tour%20of%20Britain/2849673-71-189075/PaintingAll%20Who%20Matter%20ToB45-Greig-Leach.html#.V9OFspgrLIU

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 15: "Did We Drop Them?"

As Dylan Van Baarle (Cannondale-Drapac) and Tom Dumoulin (Giant-Alpecin) worked together up an uncatagorized climb before the first scaling of the Grand Colombier, Dumoulin asked if they had dropped the others from the break. Dumoulin has already claimed to stages in this year's Tour de France, one a mountain stage in a hailstorm, the other an individual time trial.  The Belgium rider on Giant-Alpecin was hoping to use both skill sets to win a third stage.  After all, if Mark Cavendish (Dimension Data) could have four wins, why couldn't he have three?  Van Baarle just want to give something for his team to cheer about and to prove that the Dutch can go uphill too.

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%202016/2824708-105-224974/Painting#.V4wXw7grLIU

Paris Roubaix: Waiting on the Train

Professional bike racing is done on the open road.  While the gendarme do all they can to close off the roadways, the trains still have a time schedule to keep.  It seems that every year some group of riders are caught at a railroad crossing as the gates come down across the road.  This year more riders than normal skirted around the gates trying to beat the train, which should call for disqualification.  Instead those that went through as the gates began to close where held by the referee until this group rejoined them.  At least for all involved, it was a TGV bullet train so the wait wasn't long at all.  Not so good for those trying to join back on from behind.  Some of those waiting impatiently included; Julien Morcie (Europcar), Yaroslav Popovych (Trek Factory Racing) and Dylan Van Baarle (Cannondale Garmin).

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular watercolor just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  International shipping is available.

If you are enjoying reading about Paris Roubaix with the accompanying artwork, be sure to search out my recently published, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France".  It can be found through most every online bookseller around the world.  Google the title to discover where you can get a copy and avoid international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2541132---195767/Painting.html#.VSr8XfnF-xU