UCI Worlds, Zurich 2024, Elite Men's Road Race: Coming Across

It was a large group of ten guys that got away from the peloton and went of in search of the six-man breakaway.  As they crested the short steep climb of Witikon, they were a minute behind the break and two minutes ahead of the peloton.  Most were there to help their team leaders later like Jan Tratnik (Slovenia), Laurens De Plus (Belgium), Florian Lipowitz (Germany), and Kevin Vermaerke (USA).  However, it can be argued that Magnus Cort (Demark), Johannes Stamne-Mittlet (Norway), Mattia Cattaneo (Italy), Pavel Sivakov (France), and Jay Vine (Australia) were here for themselves.  If these men managed to join with the leading group, it is highly likely that they will be in with a chance to win a medal today.  They do still have another 117 kilometers to race and some very big names (and teams) are in the peloton behind.

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 $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Coming Across Z24-8" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 20: One Last Act

Mikel Landa (Soudal-Quick Step) looked on enviously as Jan Tratnik (Visma-Lease a Bike) passed a bottle over to his team leader, Jonas Vingegaard.  Tratnik had been in the early break in hopes that Vingegaard would be able to attack and bridge up to the former Slovenian champion.  Instead, the defending champion of the Tour sat in behind those closest to him in the general classification with his loyal super-domestique, the American Matteo Jorgenson, sitting ready to help when necessary.  As this group chased down the break and Tratnik was dropping back as his legs gave out, the least he could do was pass some fresh bottles to his teammate as a last act of helpfulness.  Just peeking around the shoulders of Jorgensen is the Maillot Jaune on the back of Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates).

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 $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"One Last Act TdF24-130" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '24, Stage 19: Any Movement?

Everyone expected attacks to come on the previous climb, everyone.  When they didn't happen, I think everyone in the peloton got a bit 'twitchy'  As his teammates Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates) and Joao Almeida set a hard pace on the front of the group of Tour leaders Tadej Pogacar looked back to see if anyone was looking like they might attack.  All he could see was Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) and the main worker of Remco Evenepoel, Jan Tratnik (Soudal-Quick Step) sitting there grinding out the rhythm.  Had he looked over the other shoulder he would have seen Evenepoel looking both cool and patient.  Was today going to be a draw?  Or would someone attack for seconds if not minutes?

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 $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"Any Movement? TdF24-120" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Men’s Race: An Emphatic Win!

Jan Tratnik (Visma-Lease a Bike) had out foxed the seasoned Nils Politt (UAE Team Emirates) in the final kilometers of Omloop Het Nieuwsblad.  Not only had he made the German do most of the work in the final five kilometers, he made sure he was on the front as the went under the flame rouge.  Politt is not the best of sprinters (his strengths lie elsewhere), so he had little hope of being able to drop the smaller Tratnik once he started his sprint.  As the Visma man went away, Politt dropped his head in defeat then looked back to make sure the chasers weren’t going to steal his podium spot.  Meanwhile, Tratnik celebrated his well ridden victory (and that of his team) as the crush of the cycling press photographed away.  Moments later, Tratnik’s teammate Wout Van Aert out sprinted the rest of the field to claim third in this year’s Omloop.

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/Spring-Classics-/4001385-553-195767/Painting/an-emphatic-win-ohn24-10.html

Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Men’s Race: Won’t You Work?

The former German National Champion Nils Politt (UAE Team Emirates) was getting a bit frustrated with Jan Tratnik (Visma-Lease a Bike).  Politt had made the move that got away from the rest of the leading group and then was joined by Tratnik, a move that Visma had been pulling repeatedly over the last fifty kilometers.  However once the man in yellow had joined Politt, he left the German to do all of the work.  Politt wanted to stay away from the chasers that contained some strong sprinters.  His only hope was to ride alone into the final meters of the race.  There seemed to be no way that Tratnik was going to let that happen.  The two had eighteen seconds on those behind with under six kilometers left to race.

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/Spring-Classics-/4001382-552-195767/Painting/wont-you-work-ohn24-9.html

Paris Nice 23, Stage 3: Getting It Done with Four

While they were expected to do very well in today’s team time trial, it was still a treat to watch Jumbo-Visma out on course.  They seemed to even have a plan on when they would jettison each rider after they had given their all.  As this foursome came to the line, it was clear they would win the stage, the only question was by how much.  The answer, not by as much as they had hoped, nor by enough to put one of the team into the Maillot Jaune (even though technically they are already in yellow jerseys).  With Tobias Foss (the reigning TT World Champion) on the front for one last pull, the foursome would soon be three.  Jan Tratnik took up the pace with Nathan Van Hooydonck the man designated to take Jonas Vingegaard across the line.  By so doing the three are now close to the lead, but not in it to start the stage four.  Vingegaard now has between a three and fourteen second buffer over the rest of the field of contenders.

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, but yes international shipping is both available and extra.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Paris-Nice/3938709-92-272742/Painting/getting-it-done-with-four.-pn23-10.html

Paris Nice, Stage 5: Persisting

While two of their erstwhile break away companions had already surrendered to the near inevitablity of being caught by the peloton, Jan Tratnik (Bahrain McLaren) and Alexis Gougeard (Ag2r-La Mondiale) persisted with their effort.  I enjoyed the pairing of these two paintings and their titles.  It looked like Gougeard was struggling to hold the wheel of Tratnik as I painted this image.  Sure enough, he lost the wheel of the Slovenian moments later.  Tratnik fought valiantly to win the stage.  However, he was caught with just 75 meters left to the line by the sprinters dash for what will most likely be their last chance to claim a stage in the 2020 Paris Nice.

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/Paris-Nice/3490112-22-272742/Painting/persisting-pn20-21.html

Paris Nice, Stage 5: Holding Their Own

This group of four containing Anthony Turgis (Total Direct Energie), Ryan Mullen (Trek-Segafredo), Jan Tratnik (Bahrain McLaren) and Alexis Gougeard (Ag2r-La Mondiale) were doing a surprisingly good job of holding off the peloton.  They had built a lead of seven minutes but with 50 kilometers left to race the peloton seemed unable to get any closer than two and a half minutes.  That doesn't work for success with the normal formula of one minutes advantage for every ten kilometers left to race, but conversely, the peloton wasn't getting any closer either.  What was in their favor is Mullen is the current Irish time trial national champion, and the others had done rather well in yesterday's ITT.

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/Paris-Nice/3490109-20-272742/Painting/holding-their-own-pn20-20.html

Tour, Stage 21: Around the Place du la Concorde

Some day someone will invent a pen with spell check...  I try to be as much in the moment when creating these works as possible and sometimes I get my titles wrong.  When I published my Tour de France book in 2014 (on my website under "Cycling Books Gallery") there were lots of edits, and I had to correct spelling on everything I tried to use French words for.

Now back to the race.  With the traditions of the day honored, it was time for some bike racing.  Every time, someone tries to surprise the peloton and jump off of the front.  In very, very rare occasions, this gambit has worked.  This quartet of Omar Fraille (Astana), Tom Scully (EF Education First), Jan Tratnik (Bahrain-Merida) and Niels Politt (Katusha-Alpecin) thought they would be the ones to beat the odds.  They weren't.  As they rounded the corner to go into the tunnel under the Place de la Concorde they had built up a twenty-five second lead over the currently contented 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%202019/3366688-123-263530/Around%20the%20Place%20de%20la%20Concorde%20%20TDF19-123.html

Tour, Stage 9, Making a Move

Somehow I missed that Jasper Stuyven (Trek-Segafredo), Jan Tratnik (Bahrain Merida) and Tiesj Benoot (Lotto Soudal) were responding to an attack from the break.  I thought it was Benoot who had started the attacks and Tratnik and Stuyven were joining him in the effort.  The break away had grown to 15 guys and more importantly had over ten minutes on the peloton back down the road.  With that kind of gap the stage winner was coming from the break (again) and some weren't doing their share of the work.

Quite a bit was made of the motos in the Tour providing a draft to some riders during the finale of yesterday's race.  Given the hub-bub I thought I should include one in at least one painting.  I don't think it was much of a big deal.  As Jens Voigt said, "If you want the advantage that usually goes to the attackers, then go on the attack."

See this painting come to life in this time lapse film clip:

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

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202019/3359809-46-263530/Making%20a%20Move%20%20TDF19-46.html

Giro, Stage 9: I Think They're Here

The last two members of the early break, Jan Tratnik (CCC Sprandi Polkowice) and Tomasoz Marczynski (Lotto Soudal) looked back over their shoulders to see the closing peloton.  With the first category 1 climb to end the stage, it was time for the GC men to test each others legs.  The peloton was being lead by the team of the odds on favorite, Nairo Quintana of Movistar.  In some ways, the 100th Giro d'Italia starts now!

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/2966825-60-235247/PaintingI-Think-They're-Here-G17-61.html

Giro, Stage 9: Work Together!

Luis Leon Sanchez (Astana) wasn't amused with the number of passengers in the break.  He would take each drift to the back of the group as a chance to complain to each man who wasn't doing his fair share of work.  When he was on the front he would look back to see who the quilty parties were.  Sanchez had behaved much the same in yesterday's break to no avail, but that didn't stop him from trying and chiding again.  Oh his wheel was another rider familiar with the break away effort and Sanchez's policing, Jan Tratnik (CCC Sprandi Polkowice).  Behind him road Marco Morato (UAE Team Emirates) with the Adriatic Sea over his right shoulder.

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/2966821-58-235247/PaintingWork-Together!-G17-59.html

Giro, Stage 3: Not Yet

"Not Yet," might have been what Jan Tratink (CCC Sprandi Polkowice) was thinking as he sprang away from his former break away companions.  He went on the offensive just as the peloton reached out to grab the threesome.  Most likely the effort would be in vain, but there is a phrase, "vain glory".  I think it applies here.  He must have been hearten when he looked back and saw this stretch of empty road.  Alas, it was in vain.

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/2963199-20-235247/PaintingNot-Yet-G17-20.html

Giro, Stage 3: Flat and Fast

Another stage, another break away.  Original four got away from the peloton, but it quickly became these three on the flat and windy final day on the island of Sardinia.  Eugert Zhupa (Wilier Triestina) got himself back into another break (he was in the one on the first stage of the race).  The others represent wild card teams as well.  Jan Tratink (CCC Sprandi Polkowice) and Alexey Tsatevich (Gazprom-Rusvelo) may be in their first break, but their teams have been out on the attack in every stage thus far.  Today, the peloton wasn't giving them the time gap that had been donated to the others, perhaps they were a bit tired of the effort of chasing for kilometer after kilometer.

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/2963164-17-235247/PaintingFlat-and-Fast-G17-17.html