Tour '22, Stage 6: A Surprising Threesome

It isn't so much a surprise that Wout Van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) and Jakob Fuglsang (Israel-Premier Tech) had the legs to get into a break away, it is that the peloton let them get away.  Quinn Simmons (Trek-Segafredo) was the unknown in the trio, it is his first appearance in the Tour.  He is also the youngest rider in the race.  Although we have come to expect that the young new guard are the ones to light up the Tour.  Think the young man Tadej Pogacar (UAE-Team Emirates) who is the two time defending winner of the Tour and the current wearer of the Maillot Blanc of best young rider.

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-2022/3892512-28-294403/Painting/a-surprising-threesome-tdf22-28.html

Olympics 2020, Now He Goes!

Jakob Fulgsang (Denmark) realized that the race was going up the road.  He jumped clear of the peloton in hopes of bridging up to the two that were off the front.  Tadej Pogacar (Slovenia) didn't have the legs to stay with either the original attack of the move from the Dane.  He can be excused, after all it was only a week ago that he won the Tour de France by a very convincing margin.

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/2020-Summer-Olympics/3826102-5-291661/Painting/now-he-goes-o21-5.html

Strade Bianche, Opening a Gap

With just nineteen of the 183 kilometers remaining, it was Greg Van Avermaet (CCC) that was letting a gap go on the penultimate gravel section of the day.  Ahead, the trio of Davide Formolo (UAE Team Emirates), Jakob Fulgsang (Astana) and Alberto Bettiol (EF Pro Cycling) was just getting on with chasing the disappearing Wout Van Aert (Jumbo Visma).  I was sad to see the reigning Olympic Champion not able to hold the wheels, I am a fan of the Belgium.

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/2020-Bike-Racing-Revised-Season/3609826-9-280747/Painting/opening-a-gap-sb20-9.html

Strade Bianche, Vastly Reduced

As it was with the Elite Women earlier, the peloton was vastly reduced by the final 50 kilometers.  On the front Davide Formolo (UAE Team Emirates) was talking over possible options with Jakob Fulgsang (Astana).  On there wheels, Simon Clarke (EF Pro Cycling) must have been trying to eavesdrop over the rattling bikes on the white gravel roads.  Stretched out behind the trio was about the remaining twenty or so that made up who would have a chance to win the 2020 Strade Bianche.  Some of the big names, and last year's winner, Julian Alaphilippe (Decuninck-Quickstep) were way off the back, or even already off of the bike.

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/2020-Bike-Racing-Revised-Season/3609637-7-280747/Painting/vastly-reduced-sb20-7.html

Tour, Stage 14: The Right Wheel to Follow

Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-Quick Step) really had only one job today, stay on Geraint Thomas' (Ineos) wheel.  The Frenchman started the day with a minute fifteen on the defending champion, so he didn't need to attack.  Around him, both Rigoberto Uran (EF Education First) and Jakob Fulgsang (Astan) were both needing to attack the leader of Team Ineos.  As yet, neither seemed capable of breaking the hold of Movistar and Ineos on the front of the very small peloton.

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.  If you enjoy what you see on the channel, please subscribe.  I need to get over a hundred subscribers so I can name the channel, "Art of Cycling"

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202019/3363090-80-263530/The%20Right%20Wheel%20to%20Follow%20%20TDF19-80.html

Tour, Stage 10: Those Who Lost Time

On a day that should have been a simple formula, of break goes - sprinters' teams chase, catch is made - sprinter takes the stage, today was anything but.  While a non-sprinter won the stage, the rest of the podium was manned by the fast men of the sport.  However, behind the winning group, were three distinct groups full of general classification riders losing between a minute thirty seconds and over two minutes.  Again, today was not a day to win the Tour, but many lost their chance of winning.  Or in other words, today, they lost the Tour.  Coming in a minute and a half down this group contained some of those that started the Tour thinking they could win like, Richie Porte (Trek-Segafredo, Rigoberto Uran (EF Education First), Jakob Fulgsang (Astana) and Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ). These king of time losses shouldn't have happened on a flat stage before the rest day, but they did.

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.  If you enjoy what you see on the channel, please subscribe.  I need to get over a hundred subscribers so I can name the channel, "Art of Cycling"

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202019/3360521-54-263530/Those%20Who%20Lost%20Time%20%20TDF19-54.html

Tour, Stage 1: Visiting the Doctor

The Tour de France, or any other bike race, is a high risk endeavour.  Today, it was the team leader of Astana, Jakob Fulgsang, who went down hard.  His teammates dropped back to pace him back to the peloton, and back into the race for the eventual final Maillot Jaune in Paris.  As they neared the back of  peloton, he stopped off at the race doctor to get a little cleaning and medical evaluation.  A final decision will be made about his injuries after the stage, but it looks more bloody than it is serious.  Crashing in races is what led me to stop racing many years ago.  Now, I just ride for the pleasure of the pedaling.

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%20de%20France%202019/3356438-5-263530/Visiting%20the%20Doctor%20%20TDF19-5.html

LBL: Getting the Pay Off

The title of the preceeding painting, "Risking It All" dictated the title of Jakob Fulgsang's (Astana) victory.  He nearly lost his race, while taking big risks on the descent of the Cote de la Roche aux Faucons back into Liege.  His victory is a clear proof that you have to risk failure inorder to succeed.  And succeed he did with a solo ride across the finish line with only the race director's car behind him.

With this the final race of the spring racing season, I will take a break.  I am going to have to forego painting my favorite of the Grand Tours, the Giro d'Italia.  I just can't make the time committment right now.  I do plan to paint the Tour of California instead.  With luck, I will be able to paint both the women's and the men's races.

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/Spring%20Classics%20/3325655-449-195767/Getting%20the%20Pay%20Off%20%20LBL19-7.html

LBL: Risking It All

Others had tried on the way up and over the Cote de la Roche aux Faucons, but it was Jakob Fulgsang (Astana) who got away from everyone else.  His race almost came to grief on the wet roads and the slick painted markings.  He turned his bike sideways and yet managed to keep himself up right on the way back down the other side of the climb. 

Ironically, in the Rio Olympics, it was Annemiek van Vleutin who crashed and broke her back in very similar circumstances.  Ironic because she was the winner today of the Femmes Liege Bastogne Liege.  Clearly she has recovered from that rather horrible day in 2014.

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/Spring%20Classics%20/3325640-448-195767/Risking%20It%20All%20%20LBL19-6.html

Fleche Wallonne: Two in a Row

While it was Jakob Fulgsang (Astana) who launched the attacks on the final climb of Mur de Huy, it was Julian Alaphilippe (Decenunick-Quick Step) who landed the victory.  Alaphilippe was able to repeat his victory from last year despite being forced to spend energy chasing back on early in the race. Fulgsang almost got back on the Frenchman, but in the end he had to settle for second place.  You can just see the heads of the peloton cresting the hill behind, giving you an idea about just how good the pair climbed the Mur de Huy.

I plan to be back painting Liege-Bastogne-Liege on Sunday.  I will then take on the Tour of California where I pray there will be access to both the men's and women's racing.

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/Spring%20Classics%20/3322913-442-195767/Two%20in%20a%20Row%20%20FW19-6.html

Fleche Wallonne: A Bit of a Gap

Half way up the final ascent of the Mur de Huy, it was Jakob Fulgsang (Astana) who put in the attack.  Only Julian Alaphilippe (Decenuinck-Quick Step) had the legs to chase the Dane inside of the last 500 meters of the race.  Clearly one of these two were going to be the male victor today.  Earlier, it was Anna Van der Breggen taking the win in the women's Fleche Wallone.

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/Spring%20Classics%20/3322911-441-195767/A%20Bit%20of%20a%20Gap%20%20FW19-5.html

Tour, Stage 6: Ready to Go

This Tour seems to keep dishing up ill timed mishaps for the GC contenders.  Some have lost over a minute in their bad luck's bad timing.  Jakob Fulgsang (Astana) was a little more fortunate than others to have his late mechanical happen with another twenty kilometers to race.  While he will have to expend more energy than his main rivals, he will be able to rejoin the race without the risk of losing any time on the 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.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour-de-France-2018/3186854-28-251072/PaintingReady-to-Go--T18-28.html

Fleche Wallonne: Displeased

With teammates in the group up the road, both Michal Kwiatkowski (Sky) and Jakob Fuglsang (Astana) were annoyed with the TV moto being too close.  While we enjoy getting nice images of the front of the peloton, their concern was that Mikel Landa (Movistar) was enjoying to much of a draft off of the moto.  Landa was trying to pull back the escapees in order to set up his team leader (and winner of the last four Fleche Wallonnes) Alejandro Valverde.

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/Spring-Classics-/3148307-417-195767/PaintingDispleased--FW18-4.html

Paris Nice, Final Stage: Chasing

With the surprise attack of the duo from Trek-Segafredo but the Maillot Jaune of Sergio Henao (Sky) into some serious jeopardy, in fact, at this point Alberto Contador (Trek-Segafredo) was the virtual leader of the race on the road.  Henao had started with a 31 second buffer on the former winner of Paris Nice (and a great deal of other major races), so he need to be very aware of the time splits going forward.  And he needed to pay attention to any bonus seconds Contador may be able to pick up at the intermediate sprint or the finish.  Behind the Maillot Jaune, many were defending their positions and unwilling to assisted the Colombian.  On his wheel was the Basque Jon Izauirre (Bahrain Merida), the Maillot Vert of Julian Alaphilippe (Quickstep) follow by yesterday's stage winner, Richie Porte (BMC) and Jakob Fulgsang (Astana).  In the distance you can make out the sole figures of other riders that were finding the final climb of Paris Nice just too, too much.

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/Spring%20Classics%20/2932985-377-195767/PaintingChasing%20PN17-41.html

Paris Nice, Stage 7: Testing the Legs

Today has been dubbed the Queen Stage, the next to last stage of this year's Paris Nice.  And it was a doosey of a stage, too.  The peloton faced three category 1 climbs and a category 2 along the way, the third category one summit was the end of the stage atop the Col de la Couillole.  On the penultimate climb of the day, Jakob Fulgsang (Astana) decided he would have a stretch of his legs and see just how much of a gab he could open up on the following peloton.  Too many in the group behind knew of Fulgsang's strength, so there was no letting the Dane go.

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/Spring%20Classics%20/2932573-366-195767/PaintingTesting%20the%20Legs%20Pn17-30.html

Rio Olympics: A Golden Moment

The duo of Jakob Fuglsang (Denmark) and Greg Van Avermaet (Belgium) were able to catch the fading Rafal Majka (Poland).  The duo left the Polish rider behind, but it was Van Avermaet who outsprinted the Dane for the Olympic Gold, with Fuglsang taking Silver and Majka having to settle for Bronze.

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/Summer%20Olympics/2833920-12-226051/PaintingA%20Golden%20Moment%20Rio12-Greig-Leach.html#.V6Z6TLgrLIU

Rio Olympics: Chasing Gold

This duo of Jakob Fuglsang (Denmark) and Greg Van Avermaet (Belgium) had managed to drop the others they had been with and went off in search of the lone rider up the road.  With one guy ahead of them, they knew they were racing for silver and bronze, unless they could catch Rafal Majka (Poland).

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/Summer%20Olympics/2833917-11-226051/PaintingChasing%20Gold%20Rio11-Greig-Leach.html#.V6Z4r7grLIU

Rio Olympics: One More Time

With everyone back in at least the front group.  It was time to go up the final climb of the Olympic road race.  Leading the way is the Jakob Fuglsang (Denmark) who usually rides in support of the man behind him, Vincenzo Nibali (Italy) although, not today.

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/Summer%20Olympics/2833911-9-226051/PaintingOne%20More%20Time%20Rio9-Greig-Leach.html#.V6Z1zbgrLIU

Tour, Stage 19: I've Got This

Astana definitely went out of the neutral section of the 19th stage with a plan in mind.  First they made sure that they got one of their men into the break away.  Next on the climb up the Col de la Forclaz Queige, they put the rest of the team on the front of the already reduced peloton.  The entire team was riding in hopes of moving their leader, Fabio Aru up the leader board.  Andriy Grivko was laying down a hard pace trying to put the hurt on those behind them, but ahead of Aru on the General Classification.  His pace was so intense that Diego Rosa came up along side and gave him the "slow it down" gesture.  Grivko reached over, but his hand on the Italian's back and seemed to say, "I got this.  I'll do my job you do yours."  As Grivko pushed on, Rosa gave him the Italian equivalent of  the finger.  But the team stayed on the Ukrainian's wheel.  With just today and tomorrow to race prior to arriving in Paris, it was now or never to shoot for the podium.

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.

Be sure to check out my second cycling art book, Art of Cycling: Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships, available online or through your local book seller.

To buy this painting, follow this link:

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202016/2827753-136-224974/PaintingI've%20Got%20This%20TdF137-Greig-Leach.html#.V5KsCrgrLIU

Tour, Stage 15: Changing the Dynamic

The first team that seemed willing (and able) to take on the dominance of Team Sky was Astana.  They took control of the reduce peloton the contained all of the contenders and the Maillot Jaune on the climb up the Grand Colombier.  They kept up the pressure all of the way up and back down the other side.  On the front was the brilliant descender, Vincenzo Nibali.  Nibali is both a former winner of the Tour, and a former Italian National Champion.  The bulk of the team was driving across the valley floor with their leader, Fabio Aru, tacked onto the rear of the sky blue team.  Behind them was the Maillot Jaune on the shoulders of Chris Froome (Sky).  He had seen his support reduced to just two team members so he felt that he would need to keep in touch with the Astana train himself.  Oddly, Movistar and Nairo Quintana didn't join in the effort, but continued their passivity behind the team of the race leader.

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%202016/2824720-108-224974/PaintingChanging%20the%20Dynamic%20TdF109-Greig-Leach.html#.V4whNrgrLIU