Tour de France 23, Stage 13: Keeping the Chase at Bay

Every cycling pundit I listened to was sure that none of those in the break away had a snowball's chance of holding off the elite of this Tour de France.  But here Michal Kwiatwoski (Ineos-Grenadiers) was raising his fist in a defiant salute.  He had held off the big names of the Tour by almost a minute to claim the stage.  This is the first stage win for his team, and the second time in a row that they have won the stage on Bastille Day.  

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-2023/3965510-82-297438/Painting/keeping-the-chase-at-bay-tdf23-82.html

 

Tour de France 23, Stage 13: Maintaining the Status Quo

With just a mere kilometer and a half to race, it looked like the much anticipated GC show down on the Grand Colombier might not happen.  Both Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) and Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) each still had one teammate that could set the pace on the front of the group, It was Simon Yates (UAE Team Emirates) who had attacked, but was quickly covered by Sepp Kuss (Jumbo-Visma).  They were each followed in turn by their respective team leaders.  On their wheels were the other top riders in the Tour, Carlos Rodriquez and Thomas Pidcock of Ineos Grenadiers, with Jai Hendley (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Simon Yates (Jayco-Alula) all keeping a close eye on the leaders and their own aspirations for the podium in Paris.

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-2023/3965508-80-297438/Painting/reading-the-race-tdf23-80.html

 

Tour de France 23. Stage 13: Reading the Race

Michal Kwiatkowski (Ineos-Grenadiers) knew at the start of the day that there would be a break away and he had best be in it.  He also read the stage enough to know that it would be another tale of two races if the break opened up enough of a lead on the general classification riders that were back in the peloton.  Finally, he was aware that any Frenchman in the break would bury themselves in hopes winning on Bastille Day.  Given all of that input, he was ready to go for it once the last guy off the front was caught.  At eight kilometers left to climb up the Grand Colombier, he had forty-one seconds on those that he had dropped, and three and a quarter minutes on the peloton of the elite of this year's Tour.  Does he have it in his legs to hold off those who's goal is to win the Tour in Paris?

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-2023/3965508-80-297438/Painting/reading-the-race-tdf23-80.html

Tour de France 23, Stage 13: Leading on Bastille Day

Today is Bastille Day so it is no surprise that the French are eager to do well on the climb up the Grand Colombier.  Quentin Pacher (Groupama-FDJ) on a French team had an eight second advantage over those closest to him and another three and three quarter minutes on the peloton.  The French cycling fans (many shirtless in the heat) were thrilled to see one of their own first on the early slopes of this Hellish climb.  With another fourteen kilometers seemingly straight up, it was going to take something special to stay off the front, but nothing ventured, nothing gained.

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-2023/3965434-79-297438/Painting/leading-on-bastille-day-tdf23-78.html

Tour, Stage 15: More to Celebrate

I am not sure if Tadej Pogacar (UAE-Team Emirates) was more excited with this win on the one on stage nine.  But this one closed him within 40 seconds of the lead of the man who finished just behind him, Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma).  The officials seemed to judge the finish a bit unfairly, it seemed to me that Pogacar had a second or two gap on Roglic but they were awarded the same time at the finish.  I think those seconds could be the deciding factor in this year's Tour.  Could we once again have a Tour decided by just eight seconds like it was in the favor of the American, Greg Lemond?

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-2020/3700491-105-282744/Painting/more-to-celebrate-tdf20-99.html

Tour, Stage 15: Looking for a Stage Win

With so many of the marquee Tour de France riders off the back, it was a real treat to see Richie Porte (Trek-Segafredo) get a gap on the Maillot Jaune of Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) and the Maillot Blanc of Tadej Pogacar (UAE-Team Emirates). Only Roglic's teammate Sepp Kuss and Miquel Angel Lopez (Astana) were able to follow the Tazmanian's attack.  With 300 meters to the line, it wasn't like Porte was going to open up a big lead, but he was the one with the legs to try.  In the end, both Roglic and Pogacar got around him, but he crossed the line in third and got a couple of bonus seconds in the bargain.  After today's efforts, he lies in sixth place just a mere two and a quarter minutes off of the lead.  It is impressive that just over two minutes is all that seperates the top six riders this deep into the Tour.  While the two Slovenians look solid, anyone of six or seven guys could still win the Tour as we go into the second rest day.

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-2020/3700480-104-282744/Painting/looking-for-the-stage-win-tdf20-98.html

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 15: Snaking Up the Grand Colombier

Back in 2014, there was a chance that I might be following the Giro d'Italia and painting the race from the back of a motorcycle.  It didn't work out.  But I set this silly rule with myself that I should only paint images that I could have seen myself from the road, so that left out helicopter shots.  This week someone purchase a couple of my paintings from the Giro that included the landscapes of Italy and it may me realize just how silly my arbitrary rule was.  So today, when the helicopter flew over this section of road on the Grand Colombier, I knew I had to try and capture the feel of the moment.  I feel like I was successful, what do you think? 

You can still see that the greatly reduced peloton is being led by Jumbo-Visma, and that there are small groups of riders trying to stay within sight in hopes of not loosing much time.  Part of me desparately wants to ride up this road, but I think I would enjoy going down so much more.

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-2020/3700471-102-282744/Painting/snaking-up-the-grand-colombier-tdf20-96.html

Tour, Stage 15: The Back of the Front

We were all surprised to see the two Colombians, Nairo Quintana (Arkea-Samsic) and Egan Bernal (Ineos-Grenadiers) letting a gap go on the Grand Colombier.  Both continued to drop off the pace, even as Rigoberto Uran (EF Pro Cycling) and Guillaume Martin (Cofidis) hung tough with the Jumbo-Visma led small peloton.  Quintana recovered a little later on, but still lost time finishing the day just over five minutes behind the Maillot Jaune, but still inside the top ten.  Guillaume blew a bit later and is now in eleventh place.  Rigoberto Uran finished with the front group taking over the third place that had been held by his countryman, Bernal.  Uran is probably the only one within hope of still challenging the Slovenians for the Maillot Juane in Paris.  Well, I guess Miguel Angel Lopez (Astana) and Adam Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) are still there or there abouts.

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-2020/3700466-101-282744/Painting/the-back-of-the-front-tdf20-95.html

Tour, Stage 15: Having to Chase, Again

Lady Luck has not been kind to the French in this year's Tour.  With Pinot crashing on day one, Bardet crashing out yesterday, and Guillaume Martin (Cofidis) having the worst time crashes and mechanicals, all have slipped out of the GC hunt, or even out of the Tour itself.  At the base of the final climb, Martin had a flat and needed a wheel change.  He had Jesus Herrada to help pace him back (although he was dropping back after cracking from the early break).  Martin did get back before the fireworks started.  But the effort cost him dearly.  As the two Cofidis men went forward, it was Robert Gesnik (Jumbo-Visma) dropping back after leading the peloton over the preceeding two climbs, an amazing feet in and of itself.

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-2020/3700460-100-282744/Painting/having-to-chase-again-tdf20-94.html

Tour, Stage 15: Unfortunate

Julian Alaphilippe (Etixx-Quickstep) was having a great day in the mountains.  He had made it into the breakaway that stayed away.  He had hung with all of the climbers in the group over 4 categorized climbs.  And had even successfully attacked the leaders of the stage on the way down the back side of the Grand Colombier.  Off camera, something went wrong for the young Frenchman and he simply disappeared from the screen.  He was later picked up trying to adjust his bike on the side of the road.  The camera watched him and those he had left on the descent as they speed by.  Alaphilippe did not seem to be bloodied, so it may have been only a mechanical, but it still cost him his lead on the stage.  At least, it didn't cost him some skin as well.  He eventually got a new bike from his team car (not wanting to repeat the mistake of taking a bike from neutral service that may not work with his cleats).  By then he could only join the third group on the road.

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%202016/2824714-107-224974/PaintingUnfortunate%20TdF108-Greig-Leach.html#.V4wd7LgrLIU

Tour: Stage 15: Looking for the Summit

The original successful break of the day was comprised of up to thirty riders, but the repetitive climbs dwindle that number down rather quickly.  On the other end of the break, the leaders kept changing.  By the time the front of the race started up the Haute Catagorie climb up the Grand Colombier, it was Rafal Majka (Tinkoff) back on the front along with the Russian on the Russian team, Ilnur Zakarin (Katusha).  The pair worked their way through the throngs of fans along the road.  However, unlike Mont Ventoux on Bastille Day, the crowd left enough room for the race to pass unmolested.  All though some less than kind things may have been shouted, but the relative composure seems to have returned to the sides of the road.

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%202016/2824711-106-224974/PaintingLooking%20for%20the%20Summit%20TdF107-Greig-Leach.html#.V4waqbgrLIU