Tour, Stage 17: Checking the Time

 A bit antiquated but the Tour still has a motorcycle who's sole job is to go between groups of riders out on the road.  Now adays this information is easily communicated via race radios that are in every riders ears.  There are times when they will pull the earpiece out of their ears just to concentrate on the job at an.  When you on your limit, it really doesn't help to have someone screaming in you ear to go faster.  The red bib numbers on the back of Carapaz's jersey is for being the most combative racer on the prevous stage.  Although I think it should have gone to Lennard Kamna (Bora-Hansgrohe).  Afterall it was his aggressive riding that won him the stage, Carapaz was second yesterday, and it wasn't a close second either.  But then the jury has bad a couple of bad decisions in this Tour thus far.

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-2020/3703119-116-282744/Painting/checking-the-time-tdf20-110.html

Tour, Stage 17: At It Again

 Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-Quick Step) is never one to give up, that is part of the reason I ama big fan.  On the Col de la Madeleine this trio left the rest of the large break.  Along with the aggressive riding of the Frenchman, Gorka Izaguirre (Astana) and Richard Carapaz (Ineos Grenadiers) jioned in in the effort to get away.  Alaphilippe was just riding the only way he knows how, but Carapaz was hoping to give his team a stage win, since Bernal has now left the race.  Carapaz would be much higher on the GC had  been caught out by the cross winds in Stage 7.  

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-2020/3703116-115-282744/Painting/at-it-again-tdf20-109.html

Yorkshire 2019 - Elite Men's Road Race: Three More

Up the road, the original break was joined by three more (although it was now only five guys up front), so this trio set off to join in on the chance for a medal at the line in Harrogate.  Toms Skujins (Latvia) was eager for both Gorka Izagirre (Spain) and Carlos Betacur (Colombia) to help him chance down the front of the race.  For Izaguiree, it was important for him to get the country's colors out front.  So many of his countrymen have already abandoned the race, including the defending World Champion.

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.

Please be sure to visit my YouTube Channel and subscribe if you like what you see.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Yorkshire%202019/3400876-50-266225/Three%20More%20%20UCI19-50.html

Tour, Stage 10: A Little Testy

Maxime Monfort (Lotto Soudal) was a bit annoyed with Gorka Izaguirre (Astana).  Monfort and others have been doing long pulls at the front of the peloton to keep the break away in check.  When Izaquirre got on the front he may have been there for about eight seconds before flicking his elbow and sliding over.  Monfort's complaint was that if the Astana rider was going to get in the mix, then he should do a real pull.  If he wasn't going to work, then he should go back into the folds of the peloton.  I suspect Izaguirre's response was a less polite Spanish version of "Buzz off!"

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.  There wil be a video of this painting within the next 24 hours on the You Tube channel.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202019/3360123-50-263530/A%20Little%20Testy%20%20TDF19-50.html

Tour, Stage 19: Up in the Clouds

I haven't commented on it yet, but this is the first Tour I have ever watched where it hasn't rained.  I hope I am not jinking the peloton for the last two days of the Tour.  In fact only at the top of the Col d'Aubisque have I even seen clouds.  Of course, given the height of the final climb of the Tour, the riders were in these clouds.  By this point over the summit, the stage hopefuls and the general classification guys have all joined up on the front of the race. Bob Jungels (Quick Step) and Gorka Izaguirre (Bahrain Merida) are both hanging on to the back of the group in the respective national jerseys.  The group is being lead by the Sky duo of Egan Bernal and Chris Froome.  Froome has now become a super domestique (super-duper to say the least) for the Maillot Jaune of his teammate Geraint Thomas.  Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb) still hopes to upset the apple cart although it looks less and less likely with every pedal stroke, and the ever agressive Dan Martin (UAE Team Emirates) is still hoping for another stage victory.

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/Tour-de-France-2018/3195561-105-251072/PaintingUp-in-the-Clouds--T18-104.html

Tour, Stage 14: Reducing the Group

With such a large group off of the front, some of the riders get frustrated with others not doing their share of work.  The easiest way to correct the problem in a large group is to attack them on a climb.  That is just what Gorka Izaguirre (Bahrain-Merida), the Spanish National Champion, did.  He was joined near the summit of the Col du Pont sans Eau by Tom-Jelte Slagter (Dimension Data) and Jasper Stuyven (Trek-Segafredo).  Slagter was the one to get over the climb first, where he pressed on his advantage for another 46 kilometers hoping to solo to victory in Mende.

Apparently, the fans had been shamed about what had happened on Alpe d'Huez where a fan's camera caught the handlebars of Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain Merida) and threw him to the tramac.  He got up and finished the stage, but then learn he had broken a vertabrae in the crash.  Today the fans stood well back from the riders and enjoyed the racing without influencing it.

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/Tour-de-France-2018/3191766-76-251072/PaintingReducing-the-Group--T18-75.html

Giro, Stage 16: Coming Back

After he took care of business on the side of the road, Tom Dumoulin (Team Sunweb) got back on the road, and onto the climb.  On the way up the Stelvio via the Umbrail Pass, Dumoulin gained time on those behind him on the general classification.  He also got an anchor in the form of Gorka Izaguirre (Movistar).  Izaguirre knew that Dumoulin had to ride hard to pull back the time he lost on the side of the road, plus he could radio his team to let him know how the Maglia Rosa's progress was going in hopes that his team leader could use the information to his advantage.

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.

With the racing of the 100th Giro d'Italia, I am crowd funding my third cycling art book through Kickstarter.  I could use your support in helping this book get made, please consider backing the project here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/art-of-cycling-100th-giro-ditalia.  This will be just one of the hundred plus paintings that will be included. With Kickstarter, if there is not a 100% funded, no one is charged a dime, and the project recieves 0% funding.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/100th-Giro-dItalia/2971137-107-235247/PaintingComing-Back-G17-115.html

Giro, Stage 8: Smiling for the Cameras

It was Gorka Izaguirre (Movistar) who raised his arms for the cameras at the line.  As I was painting this I was reminded of the Bahrain-Merida who raised his arms at the start of the bell lap earlier in the race.  What was missing then was the phalanx of cameras just across the line that are now staring back at Izaguirre clicking away.  Movistar have bigger plans than just a stage win, but there are 22 teams in the race and only 21 stages available for victories.  Thus far Bora-Hansgrohe, Lotto Soudal, Quickstep and Orica-Scott have wins, so Movistar was pleased to add their name to the list.

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.

With the start of the Giro d'Italia, I am crowd funding my third cycling art book through Kickstarter.  I could use your support in making this book get made, please consider supporting the project here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/art-of-cycling-100th-giro-ditalia.  This will be just one of the hundred plus paintings that will be included.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/100th-Giro-dItalia/2966299-56-235247/PaintingSmiling-for-the-Cameras-G17-57.html

Giro, Stage 8: Turning for Home

It was Gorka Izaguirre (Movistar) who had the legs for the climb up to the line.  He had taken a tighter line on the sharp corner that came just inside the flame rouge than Valerio Conti (UAE Team Emirates) and was therefore able to avoid the Italian when he slid out in the corner.  Izaguirre was able to press on the advantage he gained on those who were slowed by the crash.  Behind him, Luis Leon Sanchez (Astana) and Giovanni Visconti (Bahrain-Merida) struggled to get back on terms with the Movistar rider.

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.

With the start of the Giro d'Italia, I am crowd funding my third cycling art book through Kickstarter.  I could use your support in making this book get made, please consider supporting the project here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/art-of-cycling-100th-giro-ditalia.  This will be just one of the hundred plus paintings that will be included.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/100th-Giro-dItalia/2966242-55-235247/PaintingTurning-for-Home-G17-56.html

Giro, Stage 8: An Elite Group

It was quite an elite group that got off the front of the large break away group.  The five that looked like they had enough time over the peloton included, Gorka Izaguirre (Movistar), Luis Leon Sanchez (Astana), Gregor Muhlberger (Bora-Hansgrohe), Giovanni Visconti (Bahrain-Merida) and the erstwhile Maglia Rosa Virtuale, Valero Conti (UAE Team Emirates).  Conti was still pushing the pace on, in hopes of a stage since the earlier dreams of the race lead seemed to have slipped away.

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.

With the start of the Giro d'Italia, I am crowd funding my third cycling art book through Kickstarter.  I could use your support in making this book get made, please consider supporting the project here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/art-of-cycling-100th-giro-ditalia.  This will be just one of the hundred plus paintings that will be included.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/100th-Giro-dItalia/2966230-53-235247/PaintingAn-Elite-Group-G17-54.html

Tour of Britain, Stage 7b: In Suspense

Sorry, going for a pun with the title again.  The Clifton Suspension Bridge is a beautiful sight on the high ground of Bristol link the area of Ashton Court with the other side of the river Avon.  It was a rather long drop to the tidal river below.  So the breakaway was about to cross the suspension bridge while we and they were in suspense as to whether their effort would succeed or not.  This would be the final time that Andre Greipel (Lotto Soudal), Boy Van Poppel (Trek-Segafredo), Deigo Rubio (Caja Rural-Seguros) and Gorka Izaguirre (Movistar) would cross the bridge today.  The course will bring them back across the river again, but the finish line is in the middle of Ashton Court just 13 kilometers away.

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/2849930-80-189075/PaintingIn%20Suspense%20ToB54-Greig-Leach.html#.V9SrRZgrLIU

Tour of Britain, Stage 7b: Tappin' It Out

The other German National Champion in the Tour of Britain is Andre Greipel (Lotto Soudal).  He wears the national jersey as the road champion and may not wear it in the time trial.  Naturally, it is the reverse for Tony Martin (Etixx-Quickstep).  Greipel has been on fire in this year's Tour of Britain, and today is no exception.  The big sprinter was the first to launch an attack just as the race got underway in Bristol.  He was joined by Boy Von Poppel (Trek-Segafredo), Diego Rubio (Caja Rural Seguros) and Gorka Izaguirre (Movistar).  The quartet was never able to build up more than two minutes on the field, but then it is a circuit race, so it could be just enough to take the day.  The steep climb on the course just before the finish line would make it so riders could hope to jump their rivals on GC, so this break is most likely doomed.

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/2849801-77-189075/PaintingTappin'%20It%20Out%20ToB51-Greig-Leach.html#.V9RzHZgrLIU

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 Down Under Stage 2: Time to Celebrate

I was beginning to think that Movistar had decided not to show up in South Australia having not seen their distinctive kit for two days of racing, but as it is with all good sprinters, they only stick their noses into the wind when it really matters.  Juan Jose Lobato (Movistar) jumped from 12 places back to win the stage on the uphill sprint to the line in Stirling.  His margin of victory was so big that he had time to effect a phone call pose for his victory salute.  Behind him, his teammate, Gorka Izaguirre Insausti just missed getting around Daryl Impey (Orica-GreenEdge) to make it a one, two of Movistar.  Bobridge finished with the main group to keep his Ochre Jersey, and Cadel Evans (BMC)was just outside of the bonus seconds, finishing in 4th place on the stage.  Cadel says he will be retiring from racing at the end of the Tour Down Under, his home Tour.  This is a small watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for only $50 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

If you love this kind of artistic coverage of cycling, please consider my new book, "Book de Tour - Art of the 101st Tour de France" available world wide online.  Just google the title to discover where you can order a copy without having to pay international shipping charges.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20Down%20Under%202014/2499494---194179/Painting.html#.VL_WDE05DIU