Doha 2016, Elite Men's ITT: Through the Time Check

Tom Dumoulin (Netherlands), the penultimate rider on the road was already chasing the times of several riders as he hit the first time check out on course.  Like Tony Martin the year before, Dumoulin suffered a broken bone in a crash in the Tour de France prior to coming to the Worlds.  And like Martin's efforts in 2015, Dumoulin had a disappointing finish today.  The Dutchman only manage an eleventh place on the day.

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/Doha%202016%20UCI%20Road%20World%20Championships/2864478-38-227958/PaintingThrough%20the%20Time%20Check%20Doha38-Greig-Leach.html#.V_50XOArLIU

Tour of Britain, Stage 7b: Teeing It Up

With the final climb under their wheels, the contender's teammates were teeing it up for their guys, or they were riding for themselves.  Jens Debusschere (Lotto Soudal) was on the front to help launch his teammate, Tony Gallopin.  Behind the Frenchman was the man tied for second overall, Tom Dumoulin (Giant-Alpecin) in the blue points leader's jersey.  Following him Jack Bauer (Cannondale-Drapac) with the rest of the contenders all in tow.  You can just see the yellow shoulder of the current race leader, Steve Cummings (Dimension Data).  Who will jump first, or more importantly, who will cross the line first?

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/2849936-81-189075/PaintingTeeing%20It%20Up%20ToB55-Greig-Leach.html#.V9SvApgrLIU

Tour of Britain, Stage 6: Looking It Over

The domestiques have done their work now it is time for those with a one at the end of their bib numbers to do their work.  Well, Wout Poels (Sky) who launched the first attack on the mid slopes of the Haytor climb is bib number 13.  He is the first racer I have seen with that number who hasn't flipped on of them upside down to avoid the bad luck.  It was Rohan Dennis (BMC) who chased down the attacking Dutchman, bringing another one, Tom Dumoulin (Giant-Alpecin) with him.  Joining the aggression at the front of affairs are Tony Gallopin (Lotto Soudal) and Gorka Izaguirre (Movistar).  The quintet is looking back over their collective shoulders to see first who else is trying to bridge across and the whereabouts of the Yellow Jersey of Julian Vermote (Etixx-Quickstep).

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/2849687-72-189075/PaintingLooking%20It%20Over%20ToB46-Greig-Leach.html#.V9OJj5grLIU

Tour of Britain, Stage 4: Trying to Go Alone

Once Tony Gallopin (Lotto Soudal) had been pulled back, it was Jochem Hoekstra (Giant-Alpecin) who went off up the road.  Hoekstra was hoping that it would be he who could hold everyone off and repeat Ian Stannard's solo victory of Stage 3.  Unfortunately, for the Dutchman too many teams had managed to keep their sprinters within the peloton, although Team Dimension Data was not one of them.  Mark Cavendish was chasing in the group 30 or 40 seconds behind the peloton.

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/2848897-53-189075/PaintingTrying%20to%20Go%20Alone%20ToB27-Greig-Leach.html#.V9DhcZgrLIU

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 of Britain, Stage 2: Sprinting Through Town

It was a treat to see the tall Conor Duune (JLT Condor), I last painted the tall Irishman when he raced in the UCI Road World Championships in my hometown of Richmond, Virginia.  Ironically, I have been working on some large scale works that he features in as well, mainly due to his break away in Richmond (just like his efforts today).  Dunne had his work cut out for him trying to be the Yellow Jersey of Andre Greipel (Lotto Soudal) to the intermediate sprint point in Cockermouth.  It shouldn't need to be said, but, Greipel took the sprint (and all three sprints out on the course).  Trying to keep touch with the two fast men where Ramon Singkeldam (Giant Alpecin) and Ryan Mullen (Cannondale-Drapac).

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/2848025-35-189075/PaintingSprinting%20Through%20Town%20ToB9-Greig-Leach.html#.V84FqJgrLIU

Tour, Stage 18: Catching Those Who Went Before

Tom Dumoulin (Giant-Alpecin) is having a brilliant Tour!  He has claimed both a mountain stage and the first Individual Time Trial thus far.  As he went out today he was able to catch Jan Bakelants (Ag2r La Mondiale) who started out two minutes ahead of the Dutch National Time Trial Champion.  Dumoulin was setting new best times at every time check out on course.  As he crossed the line in Megeve, he set the new best time where it matters most.  Now he had to sit on the hot seat waiting to see if his time would stand throughout the rest of the stage.

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%202016/2826657-128-224974/PaintingCatching%20Those%20Who%20Went%20Before%20TdF129-Greig-Leach.html#.V5EuKLgrLIU

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

Tour, Stage 9: Celebrating in the Rain

Tom Dumoulin (Giant-Alpecin) had been dangling off the back of the peloton most of the day, but somehow found the strength to hold on up the penultimate climb of the day.  As the break rode across the valley floor on the way to the mountain top summit at Andorre Arcalis, the Dutchman went long for the win on the day before the first rest day of the Tour.  Dumoulin was able to keep his focus as the skies opened, dumping ice buckets on his head as plowed a lone furrow up the last mountain of the day.  I had thought about calling this, "Singing in the Rain," but then thought better of it.  Besides, I doubt he had enough air in his lungs to sing, but he sure could celebrate in the rain (and hail)!  Chapeau!

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%202016/2822218-65-224974/PaintingCelebrating%20in%20the%20Rain%20TdF65-Greig-Leach.html#.V4MDqLgrLIU

Tour, Stage 9: Starting the Climb Alone

As the race continued on the roads of Andorra, it was the Dutch rider, Tom Dumoulin sporting the new colors of Giant-Alpecin), who arrived at the base of the final climb on his own.  I want to point out that the area around the base of the inflatable de-marking the beginning of the ascent up to Andorre Arcalis, is cordoned off to prevent a repeat of the end of stage 7.  It has been reported that a spectator's belt buckle caught on the plug of the generator that was keeping the arch inflated.  I'm not sure a little yellow caution tape was going to keep everyone away when the race nears a summit.

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%202016/2822194-62-224974/PaintingStarting%20the%20Climb%20Alone%20TdF62-Greig-Leach.html#.V4L1m7grLIU

Tour, Stage 8: Dangling Off the Back

With Team Sky and Movistar pushing a vicious pace up the final big climb of the day, many riders have already been dispatch off the back.  As they neared the final summit of the day, the Col de Peyresourde, Warren Barguil (Giant Alpecin) dangled off of the back of the elite group.  Barguil was yet another of the GC contenders that was on equal time with so many of the others.  He did have the advantage of knowing that the finish line was not at the summit of the Cat 1 climb, but back down in the valley.  The finishing town of Bagneres de Luchon was almost 14 kilometers from the final peak of the day.  Just ahead of the stuggling Frenchman was Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha).

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%202016/2821645-53-224974/PaintingDangling%20Off%20the%20Back%20TdF53-Greig-Leach.html#.V4Hq1rgrLIU

Dauphine, Stage 3: They Left It too Late

To the dismay of the peloton and the sprinter's who managed to get over the final climb with the group, Fabio Aru (Astana) managed to hold everyone off.  With one last look behind he could tell that he had time to offer a victory salute.  Chasing as hard as they could, even opening up their sprints sooner than they would like, John Degenkolb (Giant-Alpecin), Edvald Boasson Hagen (Dimension Data) and the rest couldn't get up to the daring Italian.  Chapeau, Aru!

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/2804848-56-185083/Painting.html#.V1hqEZErLIU

Dauphine, Stage 1: Keeping Them in Check

The first part of the day included some relatively small climbs but the last thirty kilometers was going to be flat and straight.  With that kind of terrain it was sure to be a day for the sprinters.  But with two guys still up the road, their teams had to go to the front and pull the escapees back.  Cofidis put one man on the front on behalf of Nacer Bouhanni, likewise Giant-Alpecin for John Degenkolb and Katusha for Alexander Kristoff.  Just behind the sprinters' representatives where the teammates of the Yellow Jersey, Alberto Contador (Tinkoff).  They were there to keep their man safe from crashes or surprise splits in the peloton.

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/2804041-42-185083/Painting.html#.V1Y-HZErLIU

Tour of California, Stage 6: Catching Them Up

Soren Kragh Andersen (Giant Alpecin) was laying down a blistering ride on the 12 mile time trial course.  He was able to catch Ariel Maximiliano Richeze (Etixx-Quickstep) who had gone down the start ramp a minute ahead of the Dane.  Andersen posted the new best split time as he made the U-turn that lead the riders back to the start house.  However, he feel prey to the trick of the wind.  The riders started out with a strong tail wind, that can seduce one into thinking they are doing much better than they actually are.  The problem is when you turn back around into a headwind and realize you don't have anything left.  God knows, I have done this more times than I care to admit.  Despite his split time, he was unable to get himself onto the podium at the end of the day.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting along with my book, "Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI World Road Racing Championships," 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.  Remember, it is a one of a kind piece, so once it is sold, it is no longer available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20of%20California/2794052-31-223355/Painting.html#.V0C11_krLIU

Tour of California, Stage 2: Across the Valley Floor

True to form, Stage 2 of the Tour of California had its small break away.  At least it was the small one that was allowed to build up a seven minute lead on the peloton.  Earlier, 22 riders had escaped the main body of racers, and that was not allowed to amass any time on the peloton at all.  The foursome included Ben King (Cannondale), who hails from my hometown of Richmond, Virginia, along with Sindre Skjoestad Lunke (Giant-Alpecin), William Barta (Axeon Hagens Berman) and Evan Huffman (Rally Cycling).

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting measuring 4"x6" that was created live during the race using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting, along with all of my cycling art (and two cycling books) are 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%20California/2791502-6-223355/Painting.html#.Vzp-vPkrLIU

E3 Harelbeke: Leading Them Around

After a few minutes of silence for the victims of the terrorist bombings in Brussels, the race got underway.  Shortly thereafter, this group got off of the front and built up over five minutes on the peloton.  So as they wove through the sharp corners and narrow roads of Belgium, they were leading everyone around the race course.  Some of those in the break included, Bert De Backer (Giant-Alpecin), Wouter Wippert (Cannondale) and Reto Hollenstein (IAM Cycling), all eight were hoping they could surprise those behind, many of home have claim victory in this race in the past.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting 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.

Plus you can see my most recent book at www.artofcycling.bike.  It contains my writings and paintings of the 2015 Road World Championships in Richmond, VA.  It is available through out the world from many different online booksellers or ask your favorite bookstore to order it for you.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2752653-298-195767/Painting.html#.Vvd72vkrLIU

Tour Down Under: Just a Bit Dicey

In the Feed Zone, the soigneurs will line up along side the road ready to pass bottles and musettes to their riders.  The problems arise when each soigneur in turn stands just a little bit further into the road so that he can be seen by the team, naturally this makes the road narrower and narrower.  Finally, it is on the rider to get to the left side of the road to make the bottle pass safer.  That didn't happen for this IAM Cycling support personnel.  His rider forced him to make a dangerous pass and then jumped out of the way of the fast approaching riders from Drapac Professional Cycling and Astana.  You can see by the soigneurs stance that he was already figuring out how quickly he could jump back to his left.  Thanks to his awareness a rather nasty wreck was avoided.

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/2683079-96-194179/Painting.html#.VqU7A_krLIU

Tour de France, Stage 17: An Incredible Effort

Perhaps now the peloton will recognize that Simon Greschke (Giant Alpecin) can climb.  With a massive solo effort and a furious descent up and down the Col d'Allos, Greschke claimed the first stage win for Giant-Alpecin atop the Pra Loup.  His team had been counting on their sprinter, John Degenkolb to bring home the victories in the sprinter's stages, but instead it was Degenkolb who helped Greschke in the early break that allowed for the stage victory.  It was an incredible effort to get up the final climb, so much so that race organizers had people station to catch riders as the crossed the line in total exhaustion.

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, www.richesonart.com.  They are a small family run art supply company that really does have excellent art making materials.  This painting, and in fact all of my cycling artwork, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for only $60 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Don't delay however, since it is an original painting, when it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2583577-115-210122/Painting.html#.VbAUY_lViko

Tour de France, Stage 17: Going It Alone

While he is not known for being a great climber, Simon Geschke (Giant Alpecin) attack his fellow breakaway companions on the big climb up the Col d'Allos.  Perhaps because of his lack of a reputation as a climber, the German was allowed to ride away as the Tour climbed up to the highest point of this year's race.  I am amused at how much Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen make of bearded riders.  They seemed to take it as a personal affront to the aesthetics of cycling.  I am sure that the drag factor of the furry face was not much of a factor on the effort of climbing the Alps.

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, www.richesonart.com.  They are a small family run art supply company that really does have excellent art making materials.  This painting, and in fact all of my cycling artwork, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for only $60 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Don't delay however, since it is an original painting, when it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2582774-105-210122/Painting.html#.VbACPflVikr

Tour de France, Stage 15: All Across the Road

The sprinters fanned all across the road as they vied to claim the stage at the line in Valence.  It has been quite a few days since the whole of the peloton arrived in town together (minus the Grupetto containing Mark Cavendish - Etixx-Quickstep).  But it was Andre Greipel (Lotto Soudal) who was able to claim his third stage victory in this the 102nd Tour de France.  Greipel was able to hold of John Degenkolb (Giant Alpecin) and Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) to win, but they were far too close for any time to celebrate until after the race was won.  Peter Sagan (Tinkoff Saxo) missed the podium and being in this painting, but his fourth place finish left his was a still wide margin in the competition to wear the Maillot Vert on the podium in Paris.  Greipel's win erased the extra points that Sagan had gained earlier in the day's stage, but weren't enough to force Sagan into surrendering the jersey of most consistent sprinter.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quller brushes from the family run art supply company, Jack Richeson & Company, www.richesonart.com.  In addition, this painting and all of my Tour de France cycling art is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for only $60 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Don't delay however, since this is an original one of a kind work of art, when it has been sold, there won't be another one to be had.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2582240---210122/Painting.html#.Vav_7PlViko