TDF, Stage 21: Leading the Way Up the Champs Elysees

The trio of escapees still had twenty seconds on the peloton.  I can't imagine that Deceuninck-Quick Step, the team of Mark Cavendish, was going to let anyone stay away thus spoiling Mark's chances of breaking the record of stage wins in the Tour.  Brent Van Moer (Lotto Soudal) has been holding off the peloton for longer than expected earlier in the Tour, and when he teams up with Ide Schelling (Bora-Hansgrohe)and a strong time trialist like Stefan Bisseger (EF Education-Nippo) they weren't going to make it easy to pull them back.  It is a long drap up to the l'Arc Triomphe on Champs Elysees partiuclarly after 20 days of racing, and just another 12 kilometers left in this final stage.  Still, they seem up to the challenge at hand (or under wheel).

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/2021-Tour-de-France/3824857-142-291436/Painting/leading-them-up-the-champs-elysees-tdf21-141.html

TDF, Stage 21: And Now, We Race!

With all of the tradition having been honored, it was time to race.  After the champagne toasts, the winner's team photos, the handshakes, the mugging for the cameras, and the procession onto the Champs Elysees led by the team of the Maillot Juane, it is time to get back to the business of a bike race.  The moment that the yellow jersey crossed the line for the first of eight laps, the attacks began.  This trio of Harry Sweeny (Lotto Soudal), Stefan Bisseger (EF Education-Nippo) and someone from Bora-Hansgrohe got a bit of seperation as the peloton flew back down the Champs Elysees away from the l'Arc de Triomphe.  As Phil Liggett said, "That might be the biggest flag I've ever seen."  Normally, their would be a fly over by the French airforce, but they arrived just a bit late.  I'll leave the interpretation of that fact to 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 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/3824849-139-291436/Painting/and-now-we-race-tdf21-138.html

TDF, Stage 20: Flying Around

Stefan Bissegger (EF Education-Nippo) was one of the earlier riders to start the final time trial of this Tour de France.  While he may not be very high up on the general classification, he was leading the time checks as he attacked the course today.  As he whipped through the town of Montagne towards the second time check he could begin to wonder if the stage would be his.  Yes, there are about seventy riders to come after him, but he did log the best time as he crossed the line in Saint Emilion.

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/2021-Tour-de-France/3824535-130-291436/Painting/flying-around-tdf21-129.html

TDF, Stage 18: Over They Go

While two guys had already gone over the top of the Tourmalet, it was Wout Poels (Bahrain-Victorious) taking the most points of any of those near him in the quest to wear the Maillot a Pois in Paris.  He followed Ruben Guerreiro (EF Education-Nippo) and was in turned followed by Omar Fraille (Astana-Premier Tech).  The problem Poels is facing in this stage is the knowledge that the guy in second is Tadej Pogacar, who is leading the race in the Maillot Jaune and will most likely go for the stage win at the top of Luz Ardiden.  If he does it will be another 40 KOM points added to his total.  Poels will have to finish at least 5th to keep hold of the Polka Dots.

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/2021-Tour-de-France/3824249-119-291436/Painting/over-they-go-tdf21-118.html

TDF, Stage 18: Collateral Damage

Do I need to defind collateral damage?  Ineos-Grenadiers have spent countless Tours de France setting a relentless pace on the front of the peloton slowly eliminating their competition on climb after climb.  They are doing the same this Tour, but with much different results.  Yes, there pace on the front cracked Rigoberto Uran (EF Education-Nippo) on the climb of the Col du Tourmalet.  However, they also cracked the guy who has one the Tour for them in the past, Geraint Thomas.  He has suffered this Tour after dislocating his shoulder in the early crashes in the early stages of the Tour, but the whole team (with two notable exceptions) just aren't living up to what is normally expected of them.  Perhaps they just aren't having any fun on their bikes anymore.  I am sure they were all riding hoping to move their newly designated leader, Richard Carapaz into at least second place on the GC.  I suspect they felt he could get that fugitive stage victory for the team today as well.

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/2021-Tour-de-France/3824240-118-291436/Painting/collateral-damage-tdf21-117.html

TDF, Stage 17: Who Can Respond?

Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) has a five and a half minute lead over the rest of the peloton, so he really only needed to stay within site of his main GC rivals.  But that isn't his style.  Once his last remaining teammate swung off on the climb of the Col du Portet, he launch and attack from the front of the group.  At first it was only Jonathan Castroveijo (Ineos-Grenadiers) who could match the acceleration.  But when he realized that his team leader, Richard Carapaz wasn't coming, he back of just a bit.  Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) upped his paced and caught back up, as did Carapaz a little later.  The true victim of the attack was Rigoberto Uran (EF Education-Nippo) who lost some big time today, and his step of the current podium.

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/3824084-111-291436/Painting/who-can-respond-tdf21-110.html

TDF, Stage 15: Each Attacking the Other

The top men of the Tour attacked each other repetitively on the way up the Col du Beizalis.  Each hoping that they could dislodge the other.  Each man was on his own without teammates which represented the best change to dislodge one of the top ten men on the general classification.  This time it was Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) on the attack covered by Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates.  The pair opened up a small gap on Richard Carapaz (Ineos-Grenadiers) and Rigoberto Uran (EF Education-Nippo).  In turn they were dropping others.  Still once dropped each guy would claw his way back, with the notable exception of Guillaume Martin (Cofidis) who had never gotten back on terms having been drop on the way down the previous climb.  In the end they all came to the line together.  I am sure this will repeat itself the day after tomorrow's rest day.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow 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/3823343-97-291436/Painting/each-attacking-the-other-tdf21-96.html

TDF, Stage 14: Chasing One Man

This trio (well actually it is a quartet, but you can't see Patrick Konrad - Bora-Hansgrohe) was climbing in hopes of catching the one guy up the road.  Mattia Cattaneo (Deceuninck-Quick Step) was leading Sergio Higuita (EF Education-Nippo) and Michael Woods (Israel Start Up Nation), but I am sure Woods will be the one to go over the top first of this group.  He was.  He only got one point for the effort, but in the competiton for the Maillot a Pois,every points count.  Behind them the Basque flag flies as they near the Spanish and Andoran borders.

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/3823012-87-291436/Painting/chasing-one-man-tdf21-86.html

TDF, Stage 9: Going It Alone

 As the stage neared its conclusion, it was the pair of Colombian's, Sergio Higuita (EF Education-Nippo) and Nairo Quintana (Arkea-Samsic) who seemed to be fighting it out for stage honors.  By this point, Quintana had dropped off the pace.  I don't know if the cold had finally got him, or he was now saving himself since he had already sewn up the lead in the King of the Mountains.  Instead, it was the Australian, Ben O'Connor on the French team, Ag2r-Citroen who was dropping both of the climbers.  Behind the guy in the infamous brown cycling shorts, Sergio Higuita (EF Education-Nippo) found this acceleration just one too many.  Unfortunately for O'Connor, the Maillot Jaune was also on the attack further down the Montee de Tgnes.

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/3821980-56-291436/Painting/going-it-alone-tdf21-55.html

TDF, Stage 9: What Are You Going to Do?

On the Haute Category Col du Pre, it was a locked battle for the lead in the King of the Mountains competition.  Early in the stage, Michael Woods (Israel Start Up Nation) had become the virtual leader in the competion for the Maillot a Pois.  On the previous climb, Nairo Quintana (Arkea-Samsic) had just nipped the Canadian for the maximum points atop the Col des Saisies.  As the duo approached the summit of the Col du Pre, it seemed that one was asking the other what they were going to do.  While the two battle it out, Sergio Higuita (EF Education-Nippo) and Ben O'Connor (Ag2r-Citroen) did their best to keep the others in sight.

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/3821976-53-291436/Painting/what-are-you-going-to-do-tdf21-52.html

TDF, Stage 7: Looking to Get Across

Patrick Konrad (Bora-Hansgrohe) used the Signal d'Uchon to try and bridge across to the three leaders up the road.  As he rode past other teams' soigneurs we can just see Magnus Cort Nielsen (EF Education-Nippo) trying to ride across to the Austrian Champion.  While all of these guys were hoping for a stage win, it is a sure thing that they will be moving way up on the general classification when this stage is done.

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/3821561-40-291436/Painting/looking-to-get-across-tdf21-39.html

TDF, Stage 7: He Got What He Wanted

Today was looking to be a very odd stage.  A huge break of about 24 riders got off the front, the odd thing was that the Maillot Jaune and a number of the contenders were up the road.  The peloton seemed unable or unwilling to chase it down.  Less unexpected was that Mark Cavendish (Deceuninck-Quick Step) would be in the front seeking more points at the intermediate sprint ahead of the climbs of the day.  At this point he seemed to surrender the break along with Reuben Guerreiro (EF Education-Nippo), Toms Skujins (Trek-Segafredo) and Dorina Godon (Ag2r-Citroen).  As I went back to watching the attaction, it turned out that they had not meant to drop away.  The quartet worked together to chase back onto the tail of the leading group.

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/3821554-37-291436/Painting/he-got-what-he-wanted-tdf21-36.html 

TDF, Stage 5 ITT: Catching One

Stefan Bissegger (EF Education-Nippo) catches Christian Rodriguez (TotalEnergies) who had started a minute and a half earlier.  Bissegger was on a storming ride (and yet the rain seemed to leave him alone).  He was one of three riders for his team to hold the top four positions at the finish for a period of time.  The hard part for my painting the time trial is guessing who's ride is going to be a part of the story at the end of the day and who will be a statistic somewhere down the leader board.  Not that is final standing on the day negates the quality of the ride he put in.  

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/3821229-28-291436/Painting/catching-one-tdf21-27.html

Dauphine, Final Stage: Can He Keep It?

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Lawson Craddock (EF Education-Nippo) had spent the last two days off the front of the peloton collecting King of the Mountain points so that he could start the final stage in this Maillot a Pois.  I seemed to remember the Dauphine using the reverse of the Tour KOM jersey, red spots on a white background.  I like the Easter egg quality of the light blue, with the deep blue-purple shorts and the hot pink gloves, helmet accents, and team logo.  Just ahead of the American are the two top placed riders on Bora-Hansgrohe, Wilco Kelderman and Patrick Konrad.  Without being in the break today, it is unlikely he will hold the jersey at the end of the day or the Criterium du Dauphine.  Still to wear a leader's jersey for even one day is something most of those who started the race did not achieve.

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/Criterium-du-Dauphine/3816429-125-185083/Painting/can-he-keep-it-cd21-41.html

Dauphine, Stage 7: Now We Know Why

I have been wondering why Lawson Craddock (EF Education-Nippo) has been going off on his own these last three stages.  After each attack he gets got and drops back through the peloton.  Now I know why.  Today, Craddock had his teammate and team leader helping him get to the summit of the Cormet de Roseland.  As he went over, Bob Roll let us know that he was now the leader virtuale in the King of the Mountains competition.  Benefiting from the efforts of Craddock and Michael Valgren, were Kenny Elisonde (Trek-Segafredo) and Martijn Tusveld (DSM) who were able to keep off the front of the chasing peloton.

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/Criterium-du-Dauphine/3815688-117-185083/Painting/now-we-know-why-cd21-33.html

Dauphine, Stage 6: Still Free

I couldn't resist this title.  In stage 5, Lawson Craddock (EF Eduation-Nippo) went on a solo attack.  When I painted that effort I titled it, "Going Free"  So naturally when the Texan went again today I had to titled it "Still Free"  Craddock was looking good up and over the Cote de Frete, but those behind weren't going to let him stay out there unchallenged.  With just fifteen seconds and another 6 kilometers to race, most of them uphill, it was unlikely he would succeed in the effort.  He did move himself into second in the King of the Mountian competition.

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/Criterium-du-Dauphine/3815293-115-185083/Painting/still-free-cd21-31.html

Dauphine, Stage 5: Surprising the Peloton

It takes more than power and fitness to win a stage race, not that Geraint Thomas (Ineos-Grenadiers) doesn't have plenty of both.  It also takes strategy.  Thomas made sure he was on the front of the peloton as they came off of the final climb.  He (and his team) knew there was a sharp u-turn at the base of the climb at just about one kilometer to the finish.  He had a his teammate Michal Kwiatkowski on his wheel.  That allowed his teammate to leave a gap and to disrupt the inital response to the Brit's move.  That left Sonny Colbrelli (Bahrain-Victorious) to use his last lead out man to try and catch the former winner of the Tour de France.  Swinging on to the chase is Lawson Craddock (EF Education-Nippo) still having the legs to chase after his attack on the other side of the Cote.

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/Criterium-du-Dauphine/3815107-109-185083/Painting/surprising-the-peloton-cd21-25.html

Dauphine, Stage 5: Going Free

Lawson Craddock (EF Education-Nippo) used the final climb of the day, the Cote du Montrebut to launch an attack on the peloton.  As he left the peloton I was reminded of another bike racer from Texas.  Craddock opened up a half minute pretty quickly, but then a combination of GC teams and sprinters teams decided they didn't want to let the stage victory get away from them.  Craddock took them over the climb but was caught at the bottom of the descent.  Still, it was worth the effort.

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/Criterium-du-Dauphine/3815084-108-185083/Painting/going-free-cd21-24.html

Omloop 2021 - Was It Worth It?

 That is the question that Jonas Rutsch (EF Education-Nippo) had to be asking himself as the peloton chased him down on the pave of Haleweg.  The young German had gone off in an attempt to bridge up to the five man break, but just couldn't get onto the wheels of the escapees.  He spent a lot of energy in what proved to be a failed attempt to establish an ally up the road for his team leader.  With 52 kilometers left to the finish, he now may be wondering if he will be able to stay with the group on the bergs and paves yet to come.

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-2021/3796483-2-290150/Painting/was-it-worth-it-ohn21-2.html