Liege-Bastogne-Liege '26: Not Much Longer

The last three from the early breakaway knew their time out front was about to come to an end.  Alexander Kamp (Uno X-Mobility) looks behind Hugo Houle (Alpecin-Premier Tech) and Gijs Leemreize (Picnic-PostNL) hoping not to see the closing peloton.  With another eighty kilometers until getting back to Liege, the question now was will they be able to hold onto the others as they make the catch.

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 $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"Not Much Longer LBL26-1" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '22, Stage 19: Going Off Script

Normally, on a flat stage no one would try to gain time on the race leader, but then Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) is certainly not a normal rider.  Pogacar saw Max Schachmann (Bora-Hasgrohe) and Hugo Houle (Israel-Premier Tech) winding up to attack the peloton in some minor crosswinds.  He may have thought, "why not have a go?"  I am sure neither Schachmann nor Houle were pleased to see the man in second over all going off the front with them.  With the Maillot Blanc with them, there was no way the peloton was going to let this threesome go up the road.  In fact it was Wout Van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) was the one who popped out of the peloton and brought them all back.

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 $90 USD including shipping, and yes, international shipping is available. 

If you can't afford to purchase a piece you could always help keep me going by buying me a cup of coffee at buymeacoffee.com/greigsartc.  And check out my vlogs at my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLGX-TnjXDSkkOidUE6pN1g 

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Tour '22, Stage 16: Oh, Canada!

Sorry, I couldn't resist the pun when a Canadian won a stage of the Tour, the first since 1988.  Hugo Houle (Israel-Premier Tech) has been trying to be at the front when it matters for several stages now.  Today it worked.  Houle jumped free of the ever diminishing break away group on the way up the Mur de Peguere.  Once over the top he just continued to increase his lead over his own teammate and countryman behind.  As he crossed the line, he cried and pointed skyword honoring his brother and training partner who had been killed by a hit and run driver while out running one early morning ten years back.  It is also his first stage win in the Tour de France in his career, thus far.  Chapeau!

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 $90 USD including shipping, and yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3894729-102-294403/Painting/oh-canada-tdf22-103.html

Tour '22, Stage 13: A Danish Fairy Tale Continues

The down side of changing your mind half way through titling a work of art, you end up with an odd one.  Since the start of the Tour in Demark, the Danes have been having a great Tour.  Their countrymen have worn the Maillot a Pois for eight days, they have now one three of thirteen stages, and most importantly, they have the Maillot Jaune of race leader for the second day in a row.  Today's part of the fairy tale goes to Mads Pedersen (Trek-Segafredo) who out sprinted his other two remaining break away companions for stage victory.  Fred Wright (Bahrain-Victorious) finished second and the Canadian Hugo Houle (Israel-Premier Tech) claimed the third step of the podium.  It was a great result for the Danish fans waving their flags near the finish line.

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 $90 USD including shipping, and yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3893933-83-294403/Painting/a-danish-fairy-tale-continues-tdf22-84.html

Tour '22, Stage 13: One of Us

With the attack of Mads Pedersen (Trek-Segafredo) the break was reduce to these three.  It was only Hugo Houle (Israel-Premier Tech) and Fred Wright (Bahrain-Victorious) that were able to get back onto the Dane's wheel.  As they got to the five kilometers to go banner, Pedersen kept looking at his two companions to see who and/or when they would attack.  While each would be on the podium for the stage, only one is going to go down as a stage winner in the 2022 Tour de France.  Behind, their former companions were desperately trying to get back to contest for stage honors.  Spoiler, it didn't happen.  Nor was Matteo Jorgensen able to get another fourth place finish - he was fifth this time.  Still, not too shabby for a Tour neophyte.

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 $90 USD including shipping, and yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3893932-82-294403/Painting/one-of-us-tdf22-83.html

Tour '22, Stage 13: Needing Something

Matteo Jorgenson (Movistar) the young American on the Spanish team, stretch out his arm to let the race commissare that he needed his team car to come forward.  I am guessing he wanted some water and a bit of advice on how to out fox his break away companions for a stage win.  He has had two fourth places finish so far in this Tour, maybe today is the day!  Hugo Houle (Israel-Premier Tech) leans over to chat with Stefan Kung (Groupama-FDJ). They were all wondering just how they were going to out ride the guy on the front, Filippo Ganna (Ineos-Grenadiers) the current World Time Trial Champion.  Also still in the break were Fred Wright (Bahrain-Victorious) and a former Road World Champion, Mads Pedersen (Trek-Segafredo).  They had dropped the other young American and Mads' teammate, Quinn Simmons.

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 $90 USD including shipping, and yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3893931-81-294403/Painting/needing-something-tdf22-82.html

Tour '22, Stage 13: Riding with the Devil

Quinn Simmons (Trek-Segafredo) laughed when he saw the Devil running along side him on the small climb.  I am sure he has seen Didi Stenft on TV while watching the Tour, but I am equally sure that seeing him while you are riding the Tour is just that much better.  Simons was one of six off the front of the peloton with Hugo Houle (Israel-Premiere Tech) on his wheel equally amused to see the Devil.  Didi use to jump up and down as the riders went by, so I am wondering if is knees won't allow that famous leap anymore.

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 $90 USD including shipping, and yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3893914-77-294403/Painting/riding-with-the-devil-tdf22-78.html

Tour '22, Stage 9: Getting There First

The Tour started today in Switzerland and the fans were out in droves to cheer the peloton on through the beautiful mountains along the French border.  As the break away neared the top of the Col de Mosses Pierre Latour (TotalEnergies) jumped away in hopes of starting his campaign to win the Maillot a Pois.  As a Frenchman, he could also have just been trying to get home as soon as possible.  He had left both Hugo Houle (Israel-Premier Tech) and Simon Geschke (Cofidis) behind.  Spoiler alert...  Geschke was the Frenchman who did just enough over the course of the day to be the one to  pull on the King of the Mountains polka dot jersey heading into the second rest 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 $90 USD including shipping, and yes, international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France--Tour-de-France-Femmes-2022/3892900-47-294403/Painting/getting-there-first-tdf22-47.html

TDF, Stage 10: What Are Our Chances?

Maybe the Tour organizers decided to be a bit kinder this year.  The take back from the rest day was a long flat stage giving the peloton a chance to loosen their legs back up before heading to a hard mountain stage tomorrow.  So that set up the vain glorious attempt to out wit the peloton.  I think Hugo Houle (Astana-Premier Tech) knew the answer to his question to his companion, Tosh Van Der Sande (Lotto Soudal).  However, if you aren't a sprinter, you know their is no chance you will win a flat stage anyway.  So why not take a very, very slim chance and go off the front.  The duo built up about a five minute lead at 158 kilometers to go, but then those behind decided that was far enough.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above.  Since ti is an original work of art, it is a first come first seved reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburth watercolors 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/2021-Tour-de-France/3822275-58-291436/Painting/what-are-our-chances-tdf21-57.html

Amgen ToC, Stage 6: Down the Other Side

Owain Doull (Ineos) was giving the rest of the break away a schooling on how to go fast down a mountain.  For those of us who don't climb well, going down fast is the reward for getting to the top of the mountain.  The only one of the seven man group who could even keep the Brit in sight was the Canadian, Hugo Houle (Astana).  Naturally, once the road turned back upwards, the group came back together.  With Mount Baldy looming ahead, it was unlikely any of these guys would be off the front for much longer.

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/3333654-83-223355/Down%20the%20Other%20Side%20%20ToC19-28.html

This painting has sold!