Paris Roubaix Femmes: Third on the Road

Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek-Segafredo) was continually dropping off the pace on the cobblestones, and then catching back on when she hit the smooth roads of northern France.  The Italian Champion was in a tough place, she was trying to hold the wheel of Marianne Vos (Lotto-Jumbo), but couldn’t chase down her teammate who was up the road.  On the other side of the coin, she was holding off the group of chasers she had left behind on the previous stretch of smooth macadam.  Both she and Vos were on the hardest section of pave yet, the Carrefour de l’Arbre, so her slowing a bit can be forgiven.  Spoiler alert, not only was she third on the road, she was third at the line on the Roubaix Velodrome.

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 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/Spring-Classics-2021/3839950-52-290150/Painting/third-on-the-road-pr21-5.html

 

TDF, Stage 16: Two Left Chasing

With one guy up the road, it was left to these two to chase.  David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ) and Sonny Colbrelli (Bahrain-Victorious) had left the larger chase group in hopes of better there placing in their respective competitions.  Riding along with the pair is one of the several TV cameramen who bring the shots of the racing from the back of a motorcycle.  This was captured by one of the two TV camera helicopters who hover above the race all stage long.  I do think the camera guys delight in catching each other on air.  The competitors on the bicycles are not the only ones needing to be the best at what they do in the Grand Boucle.

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 it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg 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/3823767-103-291436/Painting/two-left-chasing-tdf21-102.html

TDF, Stage 9: When the Cav Is Away...

Playing around with the title of this one.  You get the reference (I hope).  The intermediate sprint came after the Category 2 climb of the Cote de Domancy 33 kilometers into the stage.  With Mark Cavendish (Deceuninck-Quick Step) already in the grupetto off the back of the race, it was time for his competitors for the Maillot Vert to try and cut into his lead in the sprinters' competition.  Sonny Colbrelli (Bahrain-Victorious) took out the sprint just ahead of Michael Matthews (BikeExchange) in Praz Sur Arly.  The crazy thing is that the sprinter Colbrelli (and Italian Champion) also took third on the stage.  Not a flat stage, but a stage that included to Category One climbs, one Haute Catagory climb, and one Catefory Four climb after this sprint.  Both of these sprinters got closer to taking Cavendish's Maillot Vert.  But I stand in awe of Colbrelli's efforts today.  To put it in perspective, he out climb some of the best climbers racing in the Pro Tour today.  It is theorized that the wet cold day got under the skin of the climbers who are traditionally lacking in any body fat.  Perhaps the bigger, more muscular sprinters were more able to withstand the cold wet conditions.  Whatever the reason, Colbrelli was simply amazing today.

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/3821974-52-291436/Painting/when-the-cav-is-away...-tdf21-51.html

Strade Bianchi Donne - Leaving the Others

 Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek Segafredo) succeeded in bridging across to the front group that included Chantal Van Den Broeck-Blaak (SD Worx).  She wasn't satisfied with just joining the front group, she went off the front.  It was only Chantal who could hold the wheel of the Italian Champion.  The two built up about 10 seconds on the rest of the front group as they raced through the streets of Siena.  With just 5 kilometers left to race it was looking like the race would come down to a sprint between these two.  However a short steep climb still faced all of the women before one would race her arms in victory.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow th edirect 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/Spring-Classics-2021/3798878-9-290150/Painting/leaving-the-others-sbd21-3.html

Strade Bianchi Donne - Coming Across

 Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek Segafredo) saw the danger in the group ahead and decided it was up to her to get into the move.  She used the penultimate section of gravel to try and push off the front of those chasing with her.  She made it across, but she brought some marquee riders across with her.  I have been intrique with the use of the race motorcycles with the double front wheels.  I assume they are more stable at slow speeds, an imporant asset when riding up the steep climbs with the racers.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at www.greigleach.com, or you can simply follow th edirect 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/Spring-Classics-2021/3798875-8-290150/Painting/coming-across-sbd21-2.html

Giro, Stage 6: A Little Dig

With riders spread all over the mountain (or should I say volcano), it may have been this trio that fans were most interested in.  With attacks jeopardizing their GC positions and the maglia rosa already dropped, it was Chris Froome (Sky) who had a little dig.  He as hoping to gain some time on Fabio Aru (UAE Team Emirates) and Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb).  In the end he didn't have the legs to get away, in fact, he lost some time against Dumoulin.

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/101st-Giro-dItalia/3161032-29-249297/PaintingA-Little-Dig--G18-29.html

Vuelta, Stage 18: Something to Chase

While the attack of Contador had been pulled back in, it was Fabio Aru (Astana) who's escape plan worked.  As they all headed across the valley to the final climb of the day, Aru was building upwards of a minute and a half on Froome and the rest of the peloton.  The Italian Champion had lost time on the climb yesterday and hoped to pull back that and more on his GC rivals.  Of course, one thing that led me to paint this image was the combination of his tricolore jersey and the red and white sections of the construction barrier to his right.  It is still about making art, after all.

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/Vuelta-2017/3030461-42-239162/PaintingSomething-to-Chase-V-43.html

Tour de France, Stage 20: Catching Back On

After a very quick bike change (the mechanic deciding it was quicker to change bikes than to replace the flat tire) Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) went up the Alpe d'Huez in search of the group containing the Maillot Jaune,  The Italian had used all of his available teammates in order to make this junction, so he was left to use the Team Sky Jaguar for the final bridge.  Alas, as soon as he could reach out an touch the Group Maillot Jaune another felt he could attack and get a gap on the race leader, Chris Froome (Team Sky).  It can only be assumed that had he not had the puncture, Nibali would have been a real contender for the stage and another place gain on the GC.

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 wonderful small family run art supply company based in the northern mid-west of the United States.  This painting 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.  As it is a one of a kind original work of art, you may not want to delay your purchase, because when it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2585883-139-210122/Painting.html#.VbSBwPlViko

Tour de France, Stage 16; Pulling Back Some Time

Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) decide that he needed to gamble big stakes to gain time on the solid form of the Maillot Jaune of Chris Froom (Team Sky), he was going to need to attack on the final climb of the day.  Niblai went first and was chased back into the field, initially.  However last year's Victoy of the Tour wasn't willing to give it up there.  Nibali went again counting on his leg strength and descending capabilities to gain time on all of those behind him on the road and ahead of him on the leader board for team 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, www.richesnonart.com.  They are a small family run art supply company located in the North Central United States.  In addition this painting, along with all of my 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.  Remember it is an original painting, so when it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2582774-105-210122/Painting.html#.Va25NPlViko

Tour de France, Stage 14: Trying to Gain Time

Sensing weakness in Team Sky and driven by a bit of desperation to pull back time on Chris Froome (Team Sky) and his Maillot Jaune, all of the contenders were eager to use the short steep climb up from Mende to gain some time.  Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) was the first of the big names to light up the race for yellow behind the drama being played out up the road for the stage victory.  Jumping quickly onto the Italian's wheel with the Maillot Blanc of Best Young Rider on his shoulders was the Colombian, Nairo Quintana (Movistar).  Now isolated, Chris Froome was left to chase down the pair, and all of the other attacks being launched by those who still hope to wear yellow in Paris.  Of course, the attacks also have the potential of changing the podium placings and the order of the General Classification.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Co., www.richesonart.com.  Plus, this painting, and all of my cycling art, is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for only $60 just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Don't delay, since this is a one of a kind original work of art, when it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2581992---210122/Painting.html#.VatD1vlViko

Tour de France Stage 2: Caught Out

The feared high winds of the Netherlands did appear along with some rather harsh cold rain.  At one point the sky had actually turned purple.  For some the winds played havoc on their Tour aspirations including Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) and Nairo Quintana (Movistar).  The pair where consider two of the top four to win the 102nd Tour de France, but the weather seemed to have different ideas.  Nibali had a charmed 101st Tour, seemingly never putting a pedal wrong, but today it seemed that he couldn't catch a break.  Jakob Fuglsang (Astana) hit the front of the group trying his hardest to bring the Italian National Champion back up to the front group (and trying to keep the Quintana group from catching up to them).  In the end, the two joined together, but still lost almost two minutes to Chris Froome (Team Sky), Alberto Contador (Tinkoff Saxo) and the American, Tejay van Garderen (BMC).

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.  In addition, this painting is available for purchase through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To buy this particular painting for only $60 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  But do hurry, since it is an original there is only one of these to be had.  International shipping is available, too.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2576850---210122/Painting.html#.VZoloflViko

Tour Stage 10: Flame Rouge

Vincenzo Nibali (Astana), resplendent back in his Italian National Champion Jersey, jumped away from the elite group of contenders with about five kilometers left in the stage in search of time, the stage victor and another Yellow Jersey.  The only man left up the road was Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) and he had been out there for roughly 150 kilometers, sprinting to the summit of every climb (and winning) against Thomas Voeckler (Europcar).  By the time Rodriguez found Nibali coming after him, he as completely baked.  After the pair went under the red kit demarking the final kilometer of the stage the Katusha leader was hard pressed to hold the wheel of the Italian.  Just around the corner was the nasty 18% gradient that would carry them to the finish line.  Nibali left the Spaniard going on by himself.  Nibali was too exhausted to raise his arms in victory, but his ride was enough to retake the Jersey he had just surrendered to Gallopin and to take his second stage victory in the 101st Tour de France.  As riders continued to trickle in, most were too exhausted to even figure out how to get off of their bicycles, all were relieved that the next morning would be a rest day, a chance to recover before riding off into the Alps in Stage 11.  This is a small original watercolor painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  It will also be another page in my soon to be self published. "Book de Tour" a collection of my art of the 101st Tour de France.  To learn more about the book project, to pre order your copy, or to discover how you can become a part of bringing this wide open Tour de France to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  If you would like to purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  While you are there, why not take some time to browse around all of the art on offer?

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2402568-77-72-199992/Painting/Sports.html#.U8Sq48_D_IU

Tour Stage 2: One for the Italians

Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) has had two amazing Sundays in a row.  Last week he took the Italian National Road Race victory earning him the Italian Tricolore Jersey of National Champion.  This Sunday, he claim a victory in the second stage of the 101st Tour de France, a victory the earned him the Maillot Jaune of race leader.  Either of these accomplishments would be a palmare highlight, but combining them into one week is something altogether different and then to out sprint Peter Sagan takes it to stranger than fiction status.  Peter Sagan's (Cannondale) third place was enough to put him into the Green Jersey of the points competition and leave him in the White of best young rider.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  It will be included in my soon to be self published cycling art tome, "Book de Tour", to learn more about the project, to pre-order your copy, and perhaps to get involved in bringing the project to print, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  If you would like to purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2397200---199992/Painting.html#.U7nfjM_D_IU

Giro d'Italia Stage 6: Pressing Their Advantage

These eight riders managed to stay up right as the rains fell at the base of the climb up to Montecassino.  As the peloton charged towards the ascent, they really ramped up the speed, alas they hit a traffic circle at full speed just as the rains turned the road surface to an oil slick.  Riders went every where, unfortunately some went to the hospital.  Cadel BMC) had put his guys right on the front of the peloton along with Michael Matthews' Orica GreenEdge team.  They got around unscathed, but Giampaolo Caruso (Katusha), Janez Brajkovic (Astana), Angel Vicioso Arcos (Katusha) and Davide Villella (Team Cannondale) were not able the finish the stage, some being taken directly to the hospital.  Many others went down and left skin and pieces of racing kit along the road.  I am sure there will be plenty of discussion of whether or not this group should have waited for the other GC contenders that were caught out by the crash.  It is tradition not to attack the leader's jersey when he has crashed or had a mechanical, but since the Maglia Rosa was in the lead group, they road hard for the line.  Three from Orica GreenEdge (although they are wearing three different jerseys), Michael Matthews, Luke Durbridge and Ivan Santaronita were joined by three more from BMC, Cadel Evans, Daniel Oss and Steve Morabito with Tom Wellens (Lotto-Belisol) and a rider from Neri Sottoli tagged onto this express train.  This is an original watercolor and ink postcard that is available for purchase at my artist website, www.greigleach.com.  For this particular painting, you can follow the direct link at the end of this post. 

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d'Italia%202014/2364485---198213/Painting.html#.U3Wlfc_D_IU