Tour, Stage 15: The First to Give It a Go

Adam Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) was the first to attack the dominate force that is Jumbo-Visma.  As it turns out, until the final kilometer, he was the only one to try and attack.  Maybe because it only took them 500 meters to put him back were they think he belonged.  George Bennett held his pace with Tom Dumoulin ready to take over if it became necessary.  The Maillot Jaune on the shoulders of Primoz Roglic could see that he was well protected, and knew that Sepp Kuss was ready to pass a wheel, a bike, or a hard turn of speed should it ever become necessary.  It has been interesting to see the tactics of Ineos-Grenadiers used against them with such success. Somehow I don't mind as much when Jumbo-Visma does it.  Perhaps the team has a bit more humility, but then they haven't won seven of the previous eight Tours de France.

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-2020/3700475-103-282744/Painting/the-first-to-give-it-a-go-tdf20-97.html

Tour, Stage 20: Now or Never

Hail, floods and landslides had changed the end of stage 19, and the start of today's stage.  Originally, today was suppose to have three climbs and a total of 130 kilometers.  The stage changed to just the final climb and just 58 kilometers.  With that in mind, it was going to have to be an all out assault from the base of the Val Thorens if any changes were going to be made on the general classification placings.  As the peloton started the climb it was the teammates of Steven Kruijswijk (Jumbo-Visma), George Bennett and Laurens De Plus driving the pace.  Behind them sat Ineos with the plan of keeping Egan Bernal in Yellow and Geraint Thomas in third overall.  Peeking around the corner is Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-Quick Step) hoping to hold onto second at the very least.

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%202019/3366042-113-263530/Now%20or%20Never%20%20TDF19-.html

Tour, Stage 2: Better Than Defending

Team Jumbo-Visma had planned to go out and defended the Maillot Jaune of their sprinter.  However, yesterday their designated sprinter crashed and wasn't able to contend the finale.  No matter, one of his lead out men, Mike Teunissen step into his place and took the stage yesterday.  So today they are defending the Maillot Jaune.  Yet, they did more than defend it, they extended his lead over all of the other contenders in the 2019 Tour!  The team crossed the line 20 seconds quicker than the erstwhile stage leaders, Team Ineos, leaving Teunissen with a 24 second lead over his four teammates, Wout Van Aert, Steven Kruijswijk, Tony Martin and George Bennett.  He has 34 seconds on the next guy on the general classification who isn't a teammate.  Chapeau!

The Dutch were hoping to hold both the Maillot Jaune in the Tour and the World Cup in the finale of the Women's World Cup today.  I will gladly let them have the Maillot Jaune as I cheer the victory of the USA Women's soccer 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%20de%20France%202019/3356887-10-263530/Better%20Than%20Defending%20%20TDF19-10.html

Amgen ToC, Final Stage: Counter Move

There wasn't much chance to change the over all standings on the final stage of this Tour of California today.  The two climbs of the day were only Category 3 and 2 and came midway through the relatively short stage.  But, there is always a possibility that riders will crack, even on the easiest of climbs.  So it was that George Bennett (Jumbo-Visma) going on the offensive from the main peloton.  The only one able to match his initial acceleration is Sergio Higuita (EF Education First).  Behind, Higuita's teammate, Lawson Craddock, is ready to go with anyone trying to bridge across to his defacto team leader.

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%20of%20California/3333910-87-223355/Counter%20Move%20%20ToC19-32.html

This painting has sold!

Amgen ToC, Stage 6: On the Offensive

Richie Porte (Trek-Segafredo) has been quite all week.  But not on the closing kilometers of the climb up Mount Baldy.  Once Schachmann was back in the fold, Porte launched out of the greatly reduced peloton, leaving the others trying to get back on the Tazmanian's wheel.  Behind the top three on GC were losing ground as those like Porte saw their chance to take over the Yellow Jersey of race leader.  Just behind Porte, Sergio Higuita (EF Education First), George Bennett (Jumbo-Visma) and Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) tried to get themselves organized to chase the leader of Trek-Segafredo.  All knew they would be moving up on GC, it was only a question of who would take the stage and the Yellow Jersey.

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%20of%20California/3333662-85-223355/On%20the%20Offensive%20%20ToC19-30.html

Tour Down Under, Stage 4: Turning the Screws

The final climb up Corkscrew Road, was looking like it would separate the contenders from the pretenders.  It was Wout Poels (Sky) who opened up the attacks out of the peloton.  His move was quickly covered by Michael Woods (EF Education First), Richie Porte (Trek-Segafredo) and George Bennett (Jumbo-Visma).  With this burst, both the remanents of the break and the Ochre Jersey of Paddy Bevin (CCC) were swept away.  It seemed as though the race was going to come down to how well this foursome descended.  It did not.  The vastly reduced peloton was able to catch these guys as everyone went over the summit with just four kilometers left to race.

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/3286161-133-194179/PaintingTurning-the-Screws--TDU19-15.html

Tour, Stage 8: Getting Some Help

While flying down the back side of the Col de Val Louron Azet on a blistering hot day, Wilco Kelderman (LottoNL Jumbo) lost control of his bike on a sharp corner.  As we were able to see Kelderman and his bike on the road, it was obvious that his tire and come free from the rim.  Racers use tubular tires that are sewn around the inner tube and then glued onto the rim of the wheel.  In the heat some times that glue becomes too soft and the tire simply rolls of the rim in a hard corner.  I use to ride these kind of tires, but now the technology allow for very high pressure traditional clencher tires.  Fortunately, Kelderman's teammate, George Bennett was just behind.  Before the leader of Lotto Jumbo had even figured out what had happened, Bennett had stopped and began to remove his wheel to give to his team leader.  Luckily, no one else hit the ground due to his crash, amazing consider the pair were in the middle of the road on a hard corner of a Pyrenees decent.

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

To buy this painting, just follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2821642-52-224974/PaintingGetting%20Some%20Help%20TdF52-Greig-Leach.html#.V4HnuLgrLIU

Dauphine, Stage 6: Bardet Attacks!

Romain Bardet and his team, Ag2r La Mondiale, went into the Queen stage of the 68th Criterium du Dauphine with a plan, that this attack was the penultimate step in its realization.  Bardet had used his loyal teammates to perfect and with just 10 kilometers of up hill racing to go, the Frenchman jumped free of his break away companions and went for it all.  Bardet had been telling the press that his chances of the overall were finished, however at this point, he was the Virtual Yellow Jersey on the road.  Desperately trying to cover his countryman's move was the leader of FDJ, Thibaut Pinot.  Behind the two Frenchmen was George Bennett (LottoNL Jumbo) hoping to move himself up on GC using the wheels of those setting the race afire.

If I may speak art for a moment.  I tried something new in this painting, laying in a background of a bright yellow-green before laying in the pine trees over laying the glowing valley.  The technique is similar to Vincent Van Gogh's attempts to capture the light of the south of France and the dawn of Impressionism.  I must admit that I am rather satisfied with the result.

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

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Criterium%20du%20Dauphine/2807215-74-185083/Painting.html#.V1zrfPkrLIU

Tour of California, Stage 7: Lovely Roads

The Tour of California seeks out some beautiful roads to take through the peaks and valleys of the state.  Today the high light was riding back along the coast on the Pacific Coastal Highway, but even before the break turned onto the coastal road, they passed along side this beautiful lake.  Today's break took awhile to form and the final composition was a rather strong group including George Bennett (LottoNL Jumbo) who was only a minute and a quarter off of the lead.  Two of the other strong riders in the group where Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) and Peter Sagan (Tinkoff).  Rounding out the break were yet another representative form Axeon Hagens Berman, Krists Neilands, as well as Robbie Squire Holoweska/Citadel) and Javier Megias (Novo Nordisk)

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was painting using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company (www.richesonart.com).  This painting along with all of my cycling art, is 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.  While you are at the website, be sure to check out my two cycling art books, "Book du Tour: Art of the 101st Tour de France" and, "Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships".

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20California/2794946-40-223355/Painting.html#.V0JLPvkrLIU

Tour Down Under: From the Get Go

From the firing of the starting pistol, the final stage of the Tour Down Under was on.  Immediately Laurens De Vreese and Lieuwe Westra (Astana) jumped off the line at full speed.  Since the stage was going to be a 20 lap circuit on the downtown streets of Adelaide, the organizers dispensed with the usual neutral start.  As soon as pedals were spinning, it was time to race.  The Astana duo was quickly joined by Adam Phelan riding for the wild card Australian team, Drapac Professional Cycling.  Bridging across the going break were Carlos Verona (Etixx-Quickstep) and George Bennett (LottoNL Jumbo).  Etixx-Quickstep has had a surprisingly quiet Tour, I feel like this is the first time I have seen their new kit, certainly the first time I have painted it.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting created using watercolors from www.richesonart.com and is 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.  In addition, be sure to check out my new book, "Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships" available now at www.artofcycling.bike.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20Down%20Under/2683058-94-194179/Painting.html#.VqU0e_krLIU

Tour Down Under: Porte Is Away

Rohan Dennis was the first to attack on the final assault of Willunga Hill, unfortunately he quickly faded, After he went a rider from UniSa-Australia tried, but was quickly caught by George Bennett (LottoNL Jumbo). As those two faded from their efforts, Richie Porte (BMC) stomped on the pedals and rode everyone off of his wheel.  The only two who could even hope to catch the two time victor on Willunga Hill was the newly discovered Michael Woods (Cannondale) and the wearer of the Polka Dot Jersey of the King of the Mountains, Sergio Henao (Team Sky).  Although at this point, he has yet to jump out of the swiftly shrinking peloton.  At this point you can see the Ochre Jersey of Simon Gerrans (Orica GreenEdge) as he struggles to keep sight of Porte and his overall lead.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting created using watercolors from www.richesonart.com and is 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.  In addition, be sure to check out my new book, "Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships" available now at www.artofcycling.bike.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20Down%20Under/2682164-92-194179/Painting.html#.VqQOAvkrLIU