Tour de France Femmes 23, Stage 5: A Bit Sticky

First Evy Kuijpers (Fenix-Deceuninck) and then Sanne Cant took a bottle from the team car, although I believe Sanne's bottle was a bit sticky.  If you don't know, that is what it is called when the rider grabs the bottle and the person in the car doesn't let go right away, somethimes even as the car accelerates, thus speeding the rider back up.  Sometimes a rider can be fined or even disqualified for this move, although that is usually on the big climbs of a stage.  The junior Giro saw seven guys get eliminated from the race for holding on to a car on the biggest climb of the race.  Just ahead Kathrin Hammes (EF Education-TIBCO-SVB) and a teammate are struggling with the Fenix-Deceunick women to get back to the tail of the peloton.  You may be able to just make out that Julie Van de Velde is just in front of her other two teammates.

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-2023/3968147-168-297438/Painting/a-bit-sticky-tdff23-24.html

 

Tour de France Femmes 23, Stage 2: Time Check

Even the Tour de France Femmes are full of traditions despite this only being the second year of this version of the race.  In days past the chalkboard with the time gaps on it was the only way the riders knew what there advantage was over the chasers (or the leaders for that matter).  Now a days, the riders all have radio contact with their team cars behind the race.  They in turn have wifi connections, race radio, and can even watch the race coverage in the car behind.  Obviously, they know just how far behind the peloton is from the front group and who is where out on the road.  Still the bright yellow motorcycle with the bright yellow clad driver and rider showing the riders the time checks on a chalkboard still exists.  In other races, they have gone modern and use a dry erase board instead.  Today the beneficiaries of the archaic technology are Georgia Williams (EF Education-TIBCO-SVB) and Hannah Ludwig (Uno-x).  Now they know that they have almost a minute and a half on the peloton with another 77 kilometers to race.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The 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-2023/3967561-150-297438/Painting/time-check-tdff23-6.html

 

Tour de France Femmes 23, Stage 1: Attacking on the Climb

Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx) used the only categorized climb of the day to get a gap on the rest of the peloton.  Behind her Ashleigh Moolman Pasio (AG Insurance-Soudal-Quick Step), Evita Muzic (FDJ-Suez) and Veronica Ewers (EF Education-TIBCO-SVB) all must have assumed that the Belgium champion was just going for the Queen of the Mountain points and let her go.  That should have seemed like a bad idea.  Kopecky is known for going on long solo raids for victories and this was only another sixteen and a half kilometers to race for the first Maillot Jaune of the Tour de France Femmes.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $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-2023/3967215-141-297438/Painting/attacking-on-the-final-climb-tdff23-3.html

 

Paris Roubaix Femmes 23: The Third Queen of Roubaix

It was a brilliant sprint that took Alison Jackson (EF Education-TIBCO-SVB) to the victory on the velodrome in Roubaix.  She becomes the first Canadian to win either the men’s or the women’s Paris Roubaix and is only the third woman to win the now three year old women’s edition.  Marron Borras (St Michel-Mavic-Auber93) opened the sprint but faded to fifth.  It was Katia Ragusa (LIV Racing TeqFind) in second followed by Martha Truyen (Fenix-Deceuninck) grabbing the last step of the podium. Just out of the frame, you can see the arm of Eugenia Duval (FDJ-Suez) who finished fourth on the day.  They collectively held off the peloton of favorites by twelve seconds, marking that rare occasion in professional cycling when the early break away actually wins the day.  It was Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx) who won the best of the rest sprint.  A small consolation to the woman who had targeted this race to add to her rather exceptional spring campaign.

Since my wife is in the hospital recovering from a knee replacement revision, I doubt I will be painting the men’s race live.  But I hope to get it done over the next two days.  So, shhhh, no spoilers please.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $90 USD including shipping, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3944985-528-195767/Painting/the-third-queen-of-roubaix.-prf23-8.html

This painting is sold!

Paris Roubaix Femmes 23: Still Away

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

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $90 USD including shipping, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3944974-527-195767/Painting/still-away-prf23-7.html

Paris Roubaix Femmes 23: Tete de la Course

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

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $90 USD including shipping, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring-Classics-/3944957-525-195767/Painting/tete-de-la-course-prf23-5.html

This painting is sold!

Tour Femmes '22, Stage 8: Catching the Front Group

I found a new chance to create a title that can be interpreted two ways.  First the press photographer has gotten off the back of his motorcycle to catch a shot of the front group while his driver waits to take him to the next photo-op.  And second, the American Krista Doebel-Hickok (EF Education-TIBCO-SVB) has just come across to join the tail of the front group and the wheel of Yara Kastlijn (Plantur-Pura).  The group was on the penultimate climb of the day, the Tour in fact, the Ballon d'Alsace.  Would this be the group that would leave the peloton behind getting to the line first?  I'm sure they all planned that to be so.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $90 USD including shipping, and yes, international shipping is available. 

If you can't afford to purchase a piece you could always help keep me going by buying me a cup of coffee at buymeacoffee.com/greigsartc.  And check out my vlogs at my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLGX-TnjXDSkkOidUE6pN1g

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3896680-189-294403/Painting/catching-the-front-group-tdff22-48.html

Tour Femmes '22, Stage 6: Making Her Escape

Today was marked by a very large break away containing 14 women.  That size can mean there are som passengers not willing to do the work to help everyone to stay off the front of the stage.  As this leading group neared the top of the hardest climb thus far in the Tour de France Femmes, the Cote de Grednlbuch, Joscelin Lowden (Uno-X) went on the attack.  While she was also in search of the Queen of the Mountain points, her move was designed to get rid of the "dead weight" in the break.  Her move was initially marked by Marie Le Net (FDJ-Suez-Futuroscope), like Kathrin Hammes (EF Education-TIBCO-SVB) she dropped away from the attack as they neared the top of the climb.  With this effort and those of the day, she moved herself into second place in the race for the Maillot a Pois.  The next two days will be the chances to rack up big points in that competition.  However, this effort only rid the group of one rider.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $90 USD including shipping, and yes, international shipping is available. 

If you can't afford to purchase a piece you could always help keep me going by buying me a cup of coffee at buymeacoffee.com/greigsartc.  And check out my vlogs at my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLGX-TnjXDSkkOidUE6pN1g

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3896218-175-294403/Painting/making-her-escape-tdff22-34.html

Tour Femmes '22, Stage 5: Points to be Had

While none of the women in the break away figured in the sprint competition, there were both points and prize money to be held just ahead.  So as the quartet of Victoire Berteau (Cofidis), Emily Newsom (EF Education-TIBCO-SVB), Antri Christoforou (Human Powered Health), and Anya Louw (AG Insurance-NXTG), road through the town of Charmes, Louw jumped her break away companions.  Berteau looked over as she went but decided not to put any effort into out sprinting the AG Insurance rider to the line.  Once the line was crossed, the quartet got back to the work of staying away from the peloton almost two minutes behind 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 $90 USD including shipping, and yes, international shipping is available. 

If you can't afford to purchase a piece you could always help keep me going by buying me a cup of coffee at buymeacoffee.com/greigsartc.  And check out my vlogs at my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLGX-TnjXDSkkOidUE6pN1g  

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3896109-169-294403/Painting/points-to-be-had-tdff22-28.html

Tour Femmes '22, Stage 1: Building an Advantage

As Mischa Bredewold (Parkhotel-Valkenburg) and Emily Newsom (EF Education-TIBCO SVB) swung back onto the Champs Elysees the two were building up a bit of a lead on the peloton behind.  With the first intermediate sprint on the next lap it was unlikely that those looking to wear the first green jersey of the Tour de France Femmes.  Since neither are known to be able to outsprint some of the marquee women in the peloton, it was their best hope for grabbing some sprint points for themselves.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $90 USD including shipping, and yes, international shipping is available. 

If you can't afford to purchase a piece you could always help keep me going by buying me a cup of coffee at buymeacoffee.com/greigsartc.  And check out my vlogs at my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLGX-TnjXDSkkOidUE6pN1g

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3895557-136-294403/Painting/building-an-advantage-tdff22-2.html

Tour Femmes '22, Stage 1: Let's Do This!

This painting is sold.

I am one of many that was very excited to see this return of a Tour de France for the women.  So here it is!  The race started in Paris in the shadow of the Effiel Tower and rode towards the Champs Elysees.  Once on the famous boulevard the women made twelve circuits from the l'Arc de Triomphe and the Place du Concorde.  I find it intriquing that the women are restarting their Tour on the same boulevard that the men will end their's in a few hours time.  I am sorry I wasn't able to catch the names of the two women who went off the front on the first lap.  They are from the teams of EF Education-TIBCO-SVB and Human Power Health.  I'm excited to paint the next eight days of racing and I hope you will come along for the ride.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $90 USD including shipping, and yes, international shipping is available. 

If you can't afford to purchase a piece you could always help keep me going by buying me a cup of coffee at buymeacoffee.com/greigsartc.  And check out my vlogs at my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLGX-TnjXDSkkOidUE6pN1g

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3895556-135-294403/Painting/lets-do-this-tdff22-1.html

Paris Roubaix Femmes '22: Shaking Apart

As the early break away split up, I couldn't resist the title.  Amalie Lutro (Uno-X) was just losing the wheel of her erstwhile break away companion Tantja Erath (EF Education-TIBCO-SVB).  The third member to the early break has already fallen victim to a flat tire  on Section 15 of the Pave of Paris-Roubaix.  They have another 70 kilometers to race, so it may not be best that they weren't able to stay together.  

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-/3879558-485-195767/Painting/shaking-apart-pr22-1.html

Ronde Van Vlaanderen Women '22: Two North Americans in Europe

The idea was to imitate the classic film title, "An American in Paris."  I'm not too sure I succeed with the title, but so it goes.  Olivia Baril (Valcar-Travel & Service) and Clara Honsinger (EF Education-TIBCO -SVB) are both from North American, Baril a Canadian, and Hosinger calls the United States home.  The pair had dropped their break away companions on the previous climb as they continued to hold nearly a minute and a half on the closing peloton.  With 65 kilometers left to race it was looking good for the duo, but I believe they still have a least five climbs yet to tackle.

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

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Professional-Womens-Cycling/3877191-42-207546/Painting/two-north-americans-in-europe-rvv22-9.html

Ronde Van Vlaanderen Women '22: From the Beginning

This quartet had gotten off the front of the peloton from nearly kilometer zero.  With 160 K to race, staying off the front was going to be a challenge.  However, with the race almost half way done, Maria Martins (Le Col-Wahoo), Sofie Van Rooijen (Parkhotel-Valkenburg), Olivia Baril (Valcar-Travel & Service), and Clara Honsinger (EF Education-TIBCO-SVB) they still had over two minutes behind.  At this point they were climbing the Wolvenberg which may mean the peloton will close on them quickly.

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

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Professional-Womens-Cycling/3877188-41-207546/Painting/from-the-beginning-rvv22-8.html