Paris Olympics 2024, Men's Track Cycling Omnium Tempo Race: Chasing the Italian

In the second event in the Men's Omnium is the Tempo Race.  The riders amass points by either winning lap sprints (1 point) or by lapping the peloton (20 points).  Whomever amasses the most points by the end of the 40 laps of the velodrome wins the race, however the points they win do not carry over into the Omnium points total.  With just a lap or two to go, Elia Viviani (Italy) decided he should earn at least one point, meaning he should hold eighth by the end of the second event.  Chasing the Italian is another road cyclist, Ethan Hayter (Great Britain).  He finished one place behind Viviani.

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 work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Chasing the Italian PO24-81" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour Down Under, Stage 3: Time to Celebrate

Long time followers of my cycling art will know that I love to go for puns and multiple interpretations in the titles of my paintings.  This is just such an example.  It can be read as having won the stage, Sam Welsford (Bora-Hansgrohe) had enough time to celebrate his second stage victory in this edition of the Tour Down Under, or now that he has crossed the line ahead of Elia Viviani (Ineos-Grenadiers) it is time to celebrate another stage victory.  Unlike his win on the first day of the Tour, he won’t be pulling on the Ochre Jersey of race leader this time. However, he will be pulling on the Blue Jersey of the best sprinter in the race (sometimes referred to as the points jersey).

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-Down-Under/3995929-190-194179/Painting/time-to-celebrate.-tdu24-13.html

 

Milano Sanremo: Chasing Back

Milano Sanremo is hard enough, clearly no one needs any bad look added on top of the kilometes and final climbs.  But that is exactly what befell fan favorite Peter Sagan (TotalEnergies).  Within sight of the Capo Cipressa, Sagan had a problem with his gearing and needed a quick bike change.  While the swap went well, it meant that he was chasing back through those dropping off of the back of the peloton as the favorites were on the attack further up the climb.  Sagan could comfort himself knowing that he was catching up the peloton as others, like Elia Viviani (Ineos-Grenadiers), were dropping away.

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-/3873550-467-195767/Painting/chasing-back-ms22-4.html

Tour, Stage 15: Building the Grupetto

Not everyone in the Tour de France can climb the big mountaints, and today there are three of them in rapid succession at the end of the stage.  Sprinter's are known for not liking the mountains.  The Tour will eliminate riders if they don't make it to the line within a certain percentage of the winner's time.  However, if a large group doesn't make it to the line in time, the race won't throw 20% or more of the riders out of the race.  So Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) is dropping back with Elia Viviani (Cofidis), to join up with Sam Bennett Deceuninck-Quick Step) and two of his teammates, Julian Alaphilippe and Michael Morkov.  I am a little surprise the task of shepherding Bennett fell to Alaphilippe, but it may be the team resting him for another attempt at a stage win later.

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-2020/3700439-97-282744/Painting/building-the-grupetto-tdf20-91.html

Tour, Stage 2: Helping Yellow

Vegard Stake Laengen (UAE-Team Emirates) was one of two teammates tasked with helping the Maillot Jaune and their teammate, Alexander Kristoff honor the Jersey.  As a sprinter, he had little hope of being able to keep Yellow after the climbs that were being offered up today.  He could take some comfort in knowing that the only other sprinter riding as well as him was on his wheel.  Elia Vivianni (Cofidis) was proving to have brought his climbing legs to the 2020 Tour.  Well to be fair, Peter Sagan, was up the road, but then he is a bit of a hybrid sprinter.

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-2020/3687327-15-282744/Painting/helping-yellow-tdf20-9.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 1: With Inches to Spare

Sam Bennett (Deceuninck-Quick Step) was able to catch (and pass) Jasper Philipsen (UAE-Team Emirates) who was the first to open up his sprint into Tanunda.  Bennett managed to just get past to open up his season with a win.  On their wheels were some of the marquee sprinters, all past stage winners, including Caleb Ewan (Lotto Soudal), Elia Viviani (Cofidis) and Andre Greipel (Israel-Start Up Nation).

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.

Due to personal issues I will be doing a much appreviate coverage of this year's Tour

https://greigleach.artspan.com/large-multi-view/Tour-Down-Under/3454549-146-194179/Painting/With-Inches-to-Spare--TDU20-3.html

Tour, Stage 16: Again!

It was Caleb Ewan (Lotto Soudal) spreading his arms wide in celebration in downtown Nimes.  Ewan said he had extra motivation because his brand new daughter and his wife were watching from the stands.  It was enough to get him to the line ahead of Elia Viviani (Deceuninck-Quick Step), taking fourth was Peter Sagan (Bora Hansgrohe).  Sagan might of loss a couple of sprinter's points to Viviani but he may have now reached an insurmountable lead in the competition for the Maillot Vert.  In frame, but finishing tenth, was Andre Pasqualon (Wanty Gobert).  Now it is on to the rough days in the Alps before 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.

Be sure to check out my daily videos on You Tube.  If you enjoy what you see on the channel, please subscribe.  I need to get over a hundred subscribers so I can name the channel, "Art of Cycling"

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202019/3364424-91-263530/Again!%20%20TDF19-91.html

Tour, Stage 10: Adding to Jumbo-Visma's Total

Today's stage makes 4 stage wins for the Jumbo-Visma. This time it was Wout Van Aert (Jumbo Visma) just squeaking out a victory ahead of the fast closing Elia Viviani (Deceuninck-Quick Step).  The third step of the podium belonged to Caleb Ewan (Lotto Sudal) and Michael Matthews (Sunweb) as yet to find the formula that will give him the stage victory.  So far in this Tour, no individual rider as won more than one stage, I can think of a time when that has been the case ten stages in. Tomorrow is a rest day and then there is only one more sprint stage until the final day in Paris.  By the way, Peter Sagan (Bora Hansgrohe took fifth on the stage, he just didn't manage to get inside the edges of this painting.  The bigger story on today's stage was the splits in the peloton and who was up front versus who missed out.

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.

Be sure to check out my daily videos on You Tube.  If you enjoy what you see on the channel, please subscribe.  I need to get over a hundred subscribers so I can name the channel, "Art of Cycling"

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202019/3360499-53-263530/Adding%20to%20Jumbo-Visma's%20Total%20%20TDF19-53.html

Tour, Stage 4: Full Out Gallop

As anticipated, it was a mass sprint for the line in Nancy. By a very narrow margin, it was Elia Viviani (Deceuninck-Quick Step) getting the best of all of this Tour's fast men.  That makes two stages for his team, and two for Jumbo-Visma.  Sagan managed fourth on the stage, but was out of picture frame.  I am excited to say that Alexander Kristoff (UAE Team Emirates) proved he isn't done sprinting with the new generation of sprinters taking second on the stage.  Others in this painting include; Michael Matthews (Sunweb) -9th, Giacomo Nizzolo (Dimension Data) - 7th, and Maximiliano Richeze (Deceuninck-Quick Step) - 19th (he was riding for the stage winner.  I'm looking forward to the next couple of sprint stages.  It will be equally interesting to see who is left to contest the last sprint on the Champs Elysees.

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%20de%20France%202019/3357934-20-263530/Full%20Out%20Gallop%20%20TDF19-20.html

Tour, Stage 2: Holding Form

Team Deceuninck-Quick Step looked the most uniform, smooth and fastest as they closed in on the final kilometers of the stage.  At the two previous time checks, they were running just a second or two off of the current stage leaders, Team Ineos.  Their experience as multiple World Champions in this discipline gave hope to their ability to close the gap in the last two kilometers.  They got close, just under a second behind the time of the stage leaders.  Once it was all done and dusted, they took third on the stage.  At this point, they had dropped down to six men, including Elia Viviani, Kasper Asgreen, Yves Lampaert and Enric Mas.  Sorry to the two on the front of the pace line, I didn't quite catch who they were (and I can't see their race numbers).

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%20de%20France%202019/3356850-9-263530/Holding%20Form%20%20TDF19-9.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 5: Fighting to the Line

Sometimes I can be a little prophetic when titling my paintings.  It was an aggressive sprint with every sprinter knowing this was their last chance to take a stage win in the 2019 Tour Down Under (tomorrow is the final day, and it is a hill top finish).  It was Caleb Ewan getting his first sprint for his new team, Lotto Soudal.  However, he was later reliegated to last place after an extended bout of head butting while trying to get Sagan's wheel.  That moved Jasper Philipsen (UAE-Team Emirates) into the stage winning position, followed by Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) for second.  Elia Viviani (Deceuninck-Quick Step) is now fifth, with Danny Van Poppel (Jumbo-Visma) - not in sight of this painting - taking the last step of the podium in Strathalbyn.

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-Down-Under/3286785-138-194179/PaintingFighting-to-the-Line--TDU19-20.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 3: One of Seven

As the title would imply, the early break today was seven riders strong.  One of the surprise members was Elia Viviani (Deceuninck-Quick Step), the former leader of the race and the current points leader, he was hoping to hold onto that jersey and perhaps to retake the lead.  At this point he was the virtual leader.  Along with the Italian were Manuele Boaro (Astana), Nico Denz (Ag2r La Mondiale), Nic Dlamini (Dimension Data), Leo Vincent (Groupama-FDJ), James Whelan (EF Education First), and Nicholas White (UniSA-Australia).  With such a big group with so many different teams represented, it was hard to figure who was going to chase down this break.  But the virtual leader did put a little pressure on Team CCC to give chase.

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-Down-Under/3285440-126-194179/PaintingOne-of-Seven--TDU19-8.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 2: Surprising Even Himself

While a massive crash with just a couple of hundred of meters to go certainly changed the nature of the final sprint, it was still a surprise to see Paddy Bevin (CCC) raise his arms in victory.  Behind the New Zealander where some marquee sprinters including Caleb Ewan (Lotto Soudal), Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Danny van Poppel (Jumbo-Visma).  With yesterday's stage winner, and leader on GC, Elia Viviani (Deceuninck-Quick Step) finishing seventh today, Bevin will change his orange team jersey for the Ochre jersey of overall race leader.  Viviani drops to second by five seconds, with Caleb Ewan slotting in at third just eleven seconds behind.

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-Down-Under/3285105-125-194179/PaintingSurprising-Even-Himself--TDU19-7.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 1: Taking the Lead in the Dance

It was Elia Viviani (Deceuninck-Quickstep) that struck first in the Tour Down Under.  Viviani's sprint was something to behold, threating the needle between competitors and the barrier to fly past Maximilian Richard Walscheid (Sunweb).  Walscheid may have gone too early into the wind, while it seemed like Viviani had left it too late.  Before the race, the Italian Champion had said he hoped to start the teams season with a win, just as they had in 2018.  Last year the then Quickstep team went on to dominate the Grand Tour sprints, and just about every other Pro Tour sprint.  Rounding out the podium was Jakub Marecko (CCC) claiming the first podium pedestal step for the new CCC Team.

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-Down-Under/3284051-121-194179/PaintingTaking-the-Lead-in-the-Dance--TDU19-3.html

Giro, Final Srage: Modern Day Warriors

As they rounded the final corner, it was Team Quick Step that hit the front.  Elia Viviani, their team leader, was looking for another stage win.  His Maglia Ciclamino wasn't in danger, but there isn't a sprinter who doesn't want to win every stage they can.  Behind the self titled Wolf Pack was Bahrain Merida.  I wonder how many of those along the side of the roads had plan on seeing the final stage of the Giro and how many were just caught up in the crowds while trying to see the sites.  Again, I have ridden these roads, without cheering crowds and with quite a few cars and tour buses.  Clearly, I am dreaming of being back in Rome riding around this eternal city.

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

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/101st-Giro-dItalia/3170399-97-249297/PaintingRiding-'Round-Roma--G18-101.html

Giro, Final Stage: First and Last

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

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

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

Giro, Stage 18: On the Side of the Road

There are times when what I choose to paint from a stage has no real impact on the story of the racing.  Sometimes it is just the visual interest of the image that leads me to hit pause and pick up my paint brush.  That is this one.  From art class, and color theory, green and purple should never be used to create a painting, they are theoretically incompatable.  So, naturally, that is why I wanted to do this image of Elia Viviani (Quick Step) in his Maglia Ciclamino stopping in the tall grass along the route.  Never did find out what the problem was.  But given how quickly the camera got off of the Italian, I am guessing he was just stopping to answer the call of nature.

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

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/101st-Giro-dItalia/3167739-73-249297/PaintingOn-the-Side-of-the-Road--G18-78.html

Giro, Stage 17: Making a Splash

The weather at the line in Iseo wasn't ideal, but Elia Viviani's (Quick Step) sprint sure was.  The leader in the sprint jersey had the perfect leadout from his teammates that delivered him to his fourth Giro stage win in the pouring rain.  He held off the closing Sam Bennett (Bora-Hansgrohe) who is out of frame, and Niccolo Bonifazio (Bahrain-Merida).  It was Danny van Poppel (LottoNL Jumbo) taking fourth on the stage.  He was unable to box in or hold of the leader in the sprint points competition.  Sprinting in the background is yet another rider from Androni Giocattoli, Andrea Vendrame.

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

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/101st-Giro-dItalia/3167330-71-249297/PaintingMaking-a-Splash--G18-76.html

Giro, Stage 3: Taking Another

In an interview after Stage 2, Elia Viviani (Quick Step) said that after winning that stage, all of the pressure was off of him.  However, it didn't mean he was done trying to win stages.  Again, he had to come from behind a sprinter who had launched first.  And again, he had the legs to take the victory, making it two out of two road stages.  Having gone first, Sam Bennett (Bora Hansgrohe) had to settle with third on the day with Sacha Modolo (EF Education First-Drapac) nipping him at the line for second.  Jens Debusschere (Lotto Soudal - or Lotto Fix-All for the Giro) managed sixth and Baptiste Planckaert (Katusha-Alpecin) crossed the final line in Israel in eight. 

I was concerned when I heard that the Giro would be racing in Israel, but it went beautifully and safely.  It was a great success, and I am now looking forward to seeing the peloton back on Italian soil.

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

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/101st-Giro-dItalia/3159232-15-249297/PaintingTaking-Another--G18-15.html

Giro, Stage 3: We've Got This

While the self called wolf pack of Quick Steps Floors might not be all wearing the same jersey, they certainly ride as one.  With just two kilometers to the line it was Maximilian Schachmann in his Maglia Blanco of best young rider leading out their sprinter, Elia Viviani in his purple best sprinter jersey.  on Schachman's wheel in the Czech national champion's jersey was Zdenek Stybar followed by Michael Morkov and another member of the boys in blue whose name I didn't catch.  They were working hard to deliver Viviani to his second stage victory of the 101st Giro d'Italia.

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

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/101st-Giro-dItalia/3159229-14-249297/PaintingWe've-Got-This--G18-14.html